Focusing on the 8 th to 9 th Transition College and Career Readiness Webinar Series October 13, 2015

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Research Findings on Grade 9 9 th grade announces, and often defines, a school’s commitment to equity and to preparing every student for life The messages students receive in 9 th grade, and the self-beliefs they adopt, can define their high school years Nationally, most high school dropouts fail 25% of their courses in 9 th grade, but only 8% of eventual graduates do 2

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Research Findings on Grade 9 High rates of 9 th grade academic course failures are more related to non-cognitive skills and behaviors than academic skill deficits 9 th grade PLCs that meet regularly, review data, and collaborate on planning and teaching are essential 9 th grade performance is highly predictive of a student’s likelihood of graduating high school 9 th grade is either a gatekeeper to opportunity or springboard to success 3

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 9 th Grade as a Gatekeeper Assumption that students arrive ready for high school level work Belief that students know how to take advantage of the opportunities provided Perception that only some students are “college material” Courses, schedules, and curriculum built around teacher and institutional needs and desires 4

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 9 th Grade as a Gatekeeper Academic courses and support are separate and uncoordinated More resources are allocated to higher level courses and older students Teachers work in isolation 5

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 9 th Grade as a Springboard Assumption that all students need personalized support and attention Belief that teachers need to guide or coach students to make good choices Perception that all students can succeed academically and go to college Courses, schedules, and curriculum are built around student needs 6

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 9 th Grade as a Springboard Academic courses and support are deeply coordinated Adequate resources and staff are allocated to support incoming students Teachers collaborate regularly within the school day and with potential out of school opportunities 7

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 8 EWIS Academic Milestone for Grades 7, 8, & 9: Passing All Grade 9 Courses

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Less than 80% of Grade 9 Students Complete and Pass All Grade 9 Courses 9

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 1 in 10 first time 9 th graders are not promoted to 10 th grade 10

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education 8 th to 9 th Grade Transition Best Practices Middle school collaboration Multiple sources of early warning data Multi-faceted high school orientation programming Summer bridge programs 11

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Middle School Collaboration Middle school staff help identify students that may need additional supports in high school District establishes multiple opportunities for middle school staff and 9 th grade staff to meet in the spring/summer to review student data, ask questions, plan interventions, etc. Middle and high school teachers meet regularly (at least twice a year) to ensure a seamless, coherent grade 6-12 curriculum 12

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Multiple Sources of Early Warning Data Middle school staff help identify students that may need additional supports in high school State Early Warning Indicator System (EWIS) data is reviewed for all incoming grade 9 students High school has a process to examine key indicators (“flags”) during first 30 days of school – e.g., attendance, behavior, course performance 13

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Multi-Faceted High School Orientation Programming Focus on orientation for students and parents/families beginning in middle school Begins before students enter grade 9 - Meet and greet sessions at the middle school - Home visits over the summer - multi-day orientation to high school works and life for all students and families Proactive, positive actions to engage the parents of at-risk rising 9 th grade students Advisory groups and/or school mentors assigned in the spring and advisors/mentors reach out to students and families prior to the school year 14

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Summer Bridge Programs Involves the 9 th grade faculty, advisors/mentors, and support staff Invitations to participate to all students and families and no cost to participate Aligned to 9 th grade curriculum Several weeks long Addresses four critical dimensions of 9 th grade success: - Readiness in ELA and math - Orientation to high school life and academic expectations - Socio-emotional skill building and support - Preparation for rigorous academics: research techniques, tech literacy, study habits, organization and planning tools 15

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education District Highlight: West Springfield Graduation Success, an intensive summer program to build student connections for at-risk students over the summer Free, two-week program Intended to bridge the transition to high school for students who are identified at risk by counselors at their middle schools Includes a drug and alcohol education component and field trips to local businesses to learn about entrepreneurship Students receive free transportation, breakfast, and lunch Daily attendance is mandatory and students receive 2.5 elective credits toward graduation Faculty phone calls and home visits with all students are viewed as an important way to connect with students and families and spark interest in the program Students receive outreach services and participate in events and service projects to build school-family relationships, such as food or clothing drives, and activities such as gardening to connect students with the community 16

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education District Highlight: Gill-Montague 9 th grade academy established to enhance the connectedness of 9 th graders with the school community The academy teaching team reaches out to students before they arrive at the high school At least one team member and guidance counselor meet individually with 8 th grade students as they get ready to select their classes Each student works with his or her family and guidance counselor to formulate a four-year individualized plan for graduation 8 th grade students are taken on tours of the high school and hear from current students about their experience at Turners Falls High School The team reaches out to parents to let them know the kinds of experiences their child will have at the high school and sponsors open house events before the start of the school year High school and middle school counselors meet to review the backgrounds of entering 9 th grade students to identify potentially at-risk students 17

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education District Highlight: Malden Dedicated ninth grade counselors work with middle school staff and students to ease the middle-to-high school transition, setting the tone early on about high school course selection and college and career planning Information shared among staff at the middle and high schools helps to match the needs of entering 9 th graders with appropriate resources Counselors host transition-to-high school meetings in middle schools at several points in the 8 th grade year and also organize visits to the high school Counselors meet individually with students and family members for orientation to high school and to discuss the option of college and the course requirements for various career options Hosts a 9 th grade family night for parents and teachers and makes outreach calls to families The first day of high school is for 9 th graders only Focus of the transition experience and support for students continues into the grade 9 year with activities such as individual meetings with counselors 18

Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education Resources and Tools Watch for our 3 high school case studies to be released this month! DART Success After High School: after-high-school.xlsx Consortium for Chicago School Research What Matters for Staying On-Track and Graduating in Chicago Public High Schools: 20Matters%20Final.pdf Great Schools Partnership, Ninth Grade Counts 3-Part Guide: counts/ 19