1. Poor Academic Performance in Middle Schools Mrs. Polito Ditmas I.S. 62 gpolito3@schools.nyc.gov

2. What’s the problem? O On average, children's grades drop dramatically during the first year of middle school compared to their grades in elementary school. O More children fail classes, miss homework assignments and are unprepared for class. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/middle-school.aspx Step1: Define the Problem

3. Public Policy Analyst (PPA) http://flippedtips.com/plegal/ppa/intro.html http://flippedtips.com/plegal/ppa/intro.html O Define the Problem O Gather the Evidence O Identify the Causes O Evaluate an Existing Policy O Develop Solutions O Select Best Solution

4. Think * Pair * Share  Think about how you’re performing this year as opposed to elementary school.  Have you missed more homework?  Failed tests?  Been unprepared?  Next find a partner and pair up.  Share your thoughts.

5. Don’t Believe Me? Take a look at the stats! 72 3.5222722E2 Cornelius Baptiste22829055772 422472220 Hans Bazard21548227460 022E0222 Tamya Caesar Lashley 21526607380 422 2222 Danielle Cazeau20291367980 3.800672223 Blanca Corona21317960960 222732220 Selena Enriquez21658022578 3.522472222.5 Kelsey Espinal21533468148 422732220 Tyler Felix21540665369 022E2220 Robin Geune21480649972 422E2220 Ashley Johnson21527739365 3.522332200 Lawrence Joseph21473838742 022200222 David Lopez21493705447 022E0220 Vegeta Pierre21611175759 422532020 Matthew Raposo20912134253 000872220 Samya Reid21635551154 3.80053222E Tenzin Tamdingstan g 21584845882 422672223 Shamare Turner21485373172 022802223.5 Kamille Welch21509037467 3.5001000200 samiyah knight22222222272 422470220 john rivera33333333354 000672020 Marlene Hernandez20920154084 422732222 Santiago Santos20852444758 422732220 Dalia Crespo20898484972 222532221.5 Brian Cuate21582734677 E22E0222.5 Kainaat Sultan21532542450 322400020 Shoaib Sohail21347549473 322602221.5 Tyreque Layne20849060961 3001002200 AVERAGE 2.6/41.6/2 61.7/1001.5/21.8/2

6. Lets Analyze the Evidence O 12 out of 28 students received a failing grade last marking period. O Nearly 95% of students have missed a homework assignments O Over 75% have missed more than 3 homework assignments O 7 out of 28 students did not complete the most recent project. Step2: Gather the Evidence

7. What Causes Poor Academic Performance in Middle School? TASK: Visit the following website and identify at least two causes. Then use your personal experience to add one additional cause. http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/middle- school.aspx Step 3: Identify the Causes

8. Causes Poor Academic Performance in Middle School? Lets share our findings. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

9. Academic Policies Lets examine our existing policy on student academic performance. O Teachers must contact parent if child is in danger of failing. O If student is failing a class they may be excluded from field trips. O If student is failing and is in a Principal or Superintendent class they may be removed from that class. O If a student fails a state exam they must attend summer school. Step 4: Examine and Existing Policy

10. Evaluate the Policies PolicyNot EffectiveEffective Teachers must contact parent if child is in danger of failing. If student is failing a class they may be excluded from field trips. If student is failing and is in a Principal or Superintendent class they may be removed from that class. If a student fails a state exam they must attend summer school.

11. What’s the Solution? TASK: 1. With a partner come up with three solutions for this problem. Your solution may be original or an improvement on an existing policy. 2. Next place your problems on the feasibility vs. effectiveness chart. 3. Decide on the best solution. Step 5: Develop Solutions

12. Solutions Lets Share our Findings 2. 3. 4. 5.

13. Step 6: Select the Best Solution FEASIBILITY EFFECTIVENESS HIGHMEDIUMLOW HIGH MEDIUM LOW