1. New York State's Schools to Watch Program
5/13/2019
New York State’s “Schools to Watch” Program
Partnerships:
New York State Middle School Association
The Statewide Network of Middle Level Liaisons
New York State Education Department
New York State United Teachers
School Administrators Association of New York State
The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform

2. State Leadership Team trained by the National Forum
reads all submitted applications
determines schools to be visited
serves on site teams with other evaluators trained by the State Leadership Team
selects EE:STW schools based on site team reports and recommendations
conducts documentation visits
participates in recognition ceremonies
communicates with the National Forum

3. What is S-T-W?
a program to identify and publicize effective middle schools that are committed to continuous improvement
a campaign to educate professionals and the public about criteria and indicators for high-performing middle schools
an opportunity for mentoring
An opportunity for self-study
an opportunity for networking about good practices

4. State Leadership Team David Vroman (dvroman@potsdam.k12.ny.us)
Christy Radez
Bruce MacBain
Joel Weiss
Dr. Nance Wilson
Dawn Mastroinanni
Brian Sherman
Tom Phillips

5. What defines a New York Essential Elements: “School to Watch?”
will serve as a model of exemplary implementation of the Essential Elements
has made marked progress in meeting all eligibility criteria, including measurable gains in the academic achievement of all students
will serve as a model and mentor for other schools seeking to improve
will continue its own efforts to improve and provide an exemplary educational program for young adolescents

6. What Is A “Rising” EE:S-T-W School?
is conscientiously moving to meet both the nationally endorsed criteria and New York’s Essential Elements for high performing schools with middle-level grades
has made marked progress in meeting many of these criteria, including measurable gains in the academic achievement of all students
will serve as models and mentors for other schools seeking to improve
will continue their own efforts to become a New York State School to Watch

7. National Forum Criteria
Academic excellence
Developmental Responsiveness
Social Equity
Organization structure and process

8. Academic Excellence
High quality schools with middle-level grades are academically excellent. They challenge all students to use their minds well.

9. Academic Excellence High expectations for all students
Alignment of instruction and curriculum to State standards
Depth and real-world, connected learning
Variety of challenging and engaging learning activities
Variety of assessments
Time and flexible scheduling
Supports for students
Professional development based on student learning needs

10. Developmental Responsiveness
High quality schools with middle-level grades are sensitive to the unique developmental challenges of early adolescence. There is respect for student needs and interests. Their staff understand students of this age. Staff know what it is like to be a young adolescent; and they respond readily and well to student needs and concerns.

11. Developmental Responsiveness
Personalized for all students
Access to comprehensive services
Teachers who excite learning
Socially significant and relevant to student interests
Connections across disciplines
Exploration

12. Developmental Responsiveness
Student voice and available adults
Alliances with families
Citizenship and service
Co-curricular activities (e.g., teams, clubs, exploratory and service)

13. Social Equity
High quality schools with middle-level 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. There is equal access to high quality education.

14. Social Equity Expectations for high quality work from all students
Varied approaches to learning
Adapts to meet student needs
Equal access to all challenging classes
Students’ cultures valued

15. Social Equity Student voice is valued Parent participation
Reward system
Faculty diversity
Fairness and suspension data

16. Organization Structure and Process
High quality schools with middle-level grades are learning communities that establish norms, structures, and organizational arrangements to support and sustain their trajectory toward excellence.

17. Organization Structure and Process
Shared vision
Leadership responsibility
Learning is community norm
Professional development
Connection to “system.”

18. Organization Structure and Process
Self-accountability
Will to overcome barriers
Connections to higher ed
Involves all stakeholders

19. Application basic school and demographic information
suspension information - 3 years
discipline plan
mobility patterns – 3 years
school mission statement
strategic plan (or school improvement plan)
info on school awards, grants, projects
provide school report card – 3 years
narrative for each of the four criteria areas
self-evaluation and scoring rubric
completion of National Forum on-line survey
assurances form

20. Application Assurances Form
requires signatures of principal, school superintendent, and bargaining unit president
Gives permission to…
use application information to help other schools move toward higher performance
share information with and have it published by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle -Grades Reform, NYSMSA, SED, NYSUT, and SAANYS

21. Application Assurances Form
And further we recognize and accept responsibility for…
increased publicity and visitors
sharing knowledge and experience with others in order to accelerate middle grades reform

22. Selection Process written application submission
review of ALL written applications by the State Leadership Team and selected, experienced evaluators
selection of applications for on-site visits
on-site visits
additional data (test scores, etc.) will be reviewed
final selection and notification
(school, state, National Forum)
comprehensive documentation to visited schools
awards ceremonies and recognitions

23. Awards and Recognitions
recognized in the media
attend recognition ceremony and conference in Washington, DC
present at National Forum, NYSMSA, NYSUT, NYSSBA, & SAANYS conferences
mentor other schools
featured in various publications
displayed on NYSMSA and National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform websites
featured on State Education Department website
participate in a major self-study and a national research database

24. Timelines for Applications
October-Summer – application process at school
July (2nd week)– deadline for postmark of applications
July - September - review of applications and selection of site visitation schools
October through February– on-site visits to selected schools
January– March – evaluation & selection of EE:S-T-W schools
April-June – recognition ceremonies in EE:S-T-W Schools
June – State Leadership Team and State Ed Department recognition of EE:STW school, National Conference in DC
October –NYSMSA conference recognition

25. Thank you for your kind attention…
Questions?