Orientation Meeting, October 26, 2015 M.S.G.A. Media Center

 Georgia Lighthouse Schools to Watch is a state-level partnership that seeks to identify high-performing middle grades schools in our state.  Georgia is one of 19 states that have qualified to be part of the National Forum Schools to Watch® program. The National Forum is an alliance of more than 60 educators, researchers, and officers of national associations and foundations dedicated to improving schools for young adolescents across the country.  This program annually seeks to identify schools throughout the nation that are committed to a journey of excellence centered around the program areas of Academic Excellence, Developmental Responsiveness, Social Equity, and Organizational Structure.

 Launched in Georgia in 2002  Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform  Schools focused on school improvement  Program’s standards based on four criteria areas ◦ Academic Excellence ◦ Developmental Responsiveness ◦ Social Equity ◦ Organizational Structure

High-performing schools with middle grades are academically excellent. They challenge all students to use their minds well. 1.High academic standards 2.Curriculum, instruction, assessment and interventions are aligned 3.Understanding of important concepts and development of essential skills 4.Academically Challenging Environment 5.Variety of Assessments 6.Importance of master schedule 7.Differentiation 8.Teacher Collaboration

High-performing schools with middle grades are sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence. 1.Smaller learning communities 2.Whole child – physical, social, emotional, and intellectual 3.Social Skills 4.Real life connection 5.Interdisciplinary connections 6.Multiple opportunities for students 7.Students have a “voice” 8.Parental Involvement 9.Community Service 10.Extracurricular activities, clubs, performing arts, etc.

High performing schools with middle grades are socially equitable, democratic, and fair. They provide every student with high-quality teachers, resources, learning opportunities, and supports. They keep positive options open for all students. 1.Least restrictive environment 2.Differentiation 3.Continual improvement 4.Equal access 5.Internationally minded 6.Advisement 7.Support active involvement from all families 8.Student rewards 9.Diverse faculty 10.School-wide discipline system

High-performing schools with middle grades are learning organizations that establish norms, structures, and organizational arrangements to support and sustain their trajectory toward excellence. 1.Shared vision 2.School improvement 3.Continuous improvement 4.Professional development 5.District supports 6.Data leads instruction 7.Perseverance 8.High-quality workforce 9.Communication with all stakeholders

 Read article “Speaking with One Voice”  Retweet – this is a quote I am going to use again. If I were on Twitter, I’d retweet this one to my colleagues.  I have more questions about this. What does this mean? How does this work?  This is it! This is how we move our school to the next level!

 High-quality student work with feedback in classrooms and hallways  Comfortable with teacher, student, counselor, administrator interview process  Prepare engaging, hands-on, rigorous lessons for the day of the visit  Faculty, staff and students familiar with areas of excellence and prepared to participate in full day of observations