1. 1 Welcome to Julius West MS Middle School Reform Phase II: 2008-09

2. 2 AGENDA By the end of this presentation, you will have Heard the rationale for & process of developing middle school initiatives Heard the rationale for & process of developing middle school initiatives Viewed goals of middle school reform Viewed goals of middle school reform Seen recommendations for Phase II & all middle schools in MCPS Seen recommendations for Phase II & all middle schools in MCPS Learned of new leadership structures Learned of new leadership structures Compared current JWMS to MSR Compared current JWMS to MSR Discussed next steps Discussed next steps

3. 3 National Issues No Child Left Behind No Child Left Behind How to Prepare for the 21 st Century How to Prepare for the 21 st Century The Achievement Gap The Achievement Gap Changing Demographics Changing Demographics Reading, Writing, Thinking Reading, Writing, Thinking Inclusion / Giftedness Inclusion / Giftedness Middle School Reform Middle School Reform

4. 4 What does it take to prepare our middle school students for the 21 st Century? Students must be able to … Work in teams Work in teams Solve complex problems Solve complex problems Connect learning across disciplines Connect learning across disciplines Think strategically Think strategically Apply knowledge to real-life situations Apply knowledge to real-life situations Use technology Use technology

5. 5 Multi-Year Initiative Steering Committee & Project Teams Recommendations to BOE & MS Policy Revisions Phase I: 2007-08 Benjamin Banneker MS Benjamin Banneker MS Roberto Clemente MS Roberto Clemente MS Montgomery Village MS Montgomery Village MS Sligo MS Sligo MS Earle B. Wood MS Earle B. Wood MS Phase II: 2008-09 9 additional schools 9 additional schools Phase III: 2009-10

6. 6 Steering Committee & Project Teams reviewed: Leadership/Professional Development Leadership/Professional Development Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Extended Learning Opportunities Extended Learning Opportunities Human Resources Human Resources Organizational Structure Organizational Structure Technology Technology Parent and Community Engagement & Communication Parent and Community Engagement & Communication

7. 7 MCPS Goals for MSR Goal 1: Leadership Goal 2: Curriculum that is engaging, motivating and rigorous Goal 3: Extended learning opportunities Goal 4: Organizational structures Goal 5: Staff development to increase understanding of adolescent learner Goal 6: Partner with parents & others

8. 8 Leadership Structure NEW POSITIONS Literacy Content Specialist Literacy Content Specialist Fully releasedFully released 15 summer days per person15 summer days per person Modified SupplementModified Supplement Math Content Specialist Math Content Specialist Fully releasedFully released 20 summer days per person20 summer days per person SupplementSupplement

9. 9 Leadership Structure CONTENT SPECIALISTS (no grade level team leader responsibilities) EnglishEnglish ScienceScience Social StudiesSocial Studies PE/ArtsPE/Arts 1 other area (TBD based on school’s data/need and in collaboration with school and community superintendent)1 other area (TBD based on school’s data/need and in collaboration with school and community superintendent) 1 release period 1 release period 20 summer days per person 20 summer days per person Supplement Supplement

10. 10 Leadership Structure GRADE LEVEL TEAM LEADER GRADE LEVEL TEAM LEADER Two at each grade level -no department responsibilities – based on school enrollment 1 release period1 release period 10 days10 days Modified SupplementModified Supplement RTSE & SDT The positions of resource teacher in special education (RTSE) and staff development teacher (SDT) are still in place based upon previous funding sources. * Note: This leadership structure only reflects those positions outlined in the middle school reform report. Schools have other leadership positions that are not listed here. During the first year of the reform, the positions will be evaluated for implementation; therefore, some modification may be made in the information listed above.

11. 11 Selected Recommended Actions for Phase I & Phase II Professional Learning Communities Institute Professional Learning Communities Institute Mathematics and Literacy Content Specialists Mathematics and Literacy Content Specialists New structure for resource teachers and team leaders New structure for resource teachers and team leaders

12. 12 Phase I & II Recommended Actions Innovative, interactive model classrooms Innovative, interactive model classrooms (21 st Century Classrooms – Promethean whiteboards) (21 st Century Classrooms – Promethean whiteboards) Rigorous core and elective courses Rigorous core and elective courses Redesigned after school and summer programs Redesigned after school and summer programs Funds to support team planning and professional development Funds to support team planning and professional development Study Circles and integrate action steps in school improvement plans Study Circles and integrate action steps in school improvement plans Parent Academy workshops Parent Academy workshops

13. 13 Recommended Actions for All Middle Schools School Leadership Team Institute School Leadership Team Institute Comprehensive Professional Development Plan: differentiation, rigor, equitable classroom practices, data-driven instructional decisions Comprehensive Professional Development Plan: differentiation, rigor, equitable classroom practices, data-driven instructional decisions Guidelines for Advanced Instruction Guidelines for Advanced Instruction Alignment of mathematics and English curricula with The College Board standards (on hold) Alignment of mathematics and English curricula with The College Board standards (on hold) Formative and benchmark assessments/new technology tool (Performance Matters) Formative and benchmark assessments/new technology tool (Performance Matters) Additional counselors Additional counselors

14. 14 All Middle Schools 7-hour instructional data assistants 7-hour instructional data assistants Guidelines for school schedules and vertical articulation Guidelines for school schedules and vertical articulation Recruitment and hiring of middle school staff with knowledge, skills, and content expertise specific to middle school Recruitment and hiring of middle school staff with knowledge, skills, and content expertise specific to middle school School and parent resources to improve parent communication and engagement School and parent resources to improve parent communication and engagement

15. 15 So… What’s in it for JWMS? Advantages Add’l opportunities for studentsAdd’l opportunities for students Add’l staff developmentAdd’l staff development Add’l leadership positionsAdd’l leadership positions (16 vs. 12) (16 vs. 12) Add’l resources such as time for planningAdd’l resources such as time for planning Opportunity to try what is available to support student achievement & to make AYPOpportunity to try what is available to support student achievement & to make AYP 1 st MYP School to go MSR1 st MYP School to go MSRChallenges Resistance to change Developing new courses Time & energy for training Balancing multiple priorities MYP AYP MSR

16. 16 Next Steps for Julius West MS Share info with staff and parent groups Share info with staff and parent groups Decide whether to apply for Phase II participation Decide whether to apply for Phase II participation Submit application by February 8, 2008 Submit application by February 8, 2008 Wait for decision on application by end of February Wait for decision on application by end of February Develop master schedule & professional development calendars for required staff training Develop master schedule & professional development calendars for required staff training Note: Implementation of middle school initiatives for any schools is contingent on budget approval and results of the implementation evaluation.

17. 17 Additional Information The complete Middle School Reform Report is available at the following website: http://www.montgomerycountyschoolsmd.org/info/msreform