Salt Lake City School District

1. SaltLake City School District K-8 Schools: Exploring A Choice for the Future Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

2. Beacon Heights Dilworth Highland Park Nibley Park Whittier Indian Hills (1/2Hillside, ½ Clayton) Bonneville Emerson Hawthorne Lincoln Uintah Who’s Involved?Hillside, Clayton, and Their Feeders Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

3. What is a K-8 School? • A school with a continuous grade span that begins with kindergarten or pre-K and ends after the 8th grade. David Hough Editor, Research in Middle Education Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

4. Whyis SLCSD Considering K-8? • Current research on K-8 schools • Consistent with Student Achievement Plan • National move toward re-thinking middle grades • Rebuilding Opportunity • SLCSD enrollment data Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

5. SLCSD Student Achievement Plan • Choice Initiatives: (Essential #6) “Families and students have a variety of school or program choices including neighborhood schools, academies, magnets, and optional programs”. Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

6. SLCSD Data • Over 5 years, SLCSD 7th grade enrollment is down 7-13% compared to 6th grade. • 7th – 8th grade enrollment drops 2-3%. • 9th grade enrollment makes slight gains. • District enrollment down ~1% yearly. • Choice options have been shown to attract and retain students. Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

7. Transition Year Enrollments: Numbers of Students Enrolled in Grades 6, 7 & 9 in SLCSD Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

8. What Can a K-8 School Look Like? Some information from a survey of K-8 and Middle Schools, 2004.

9. Structure of a K-8 School Day: • 5th grade – most often in a self-contained classroom (similar to current settings) • 6th grade – mix of single classroom, uniform periods, and flexible block schedules *K-8 schools can offer more options for 5th and 6th graders depending on the design of the day ** Programs and Practices in K-8 Schools (2004) Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

10. Structure of a K-8 School Day: • 7th and 8th grade – 74 % in uniform periods, 21 % in flexible block schedules ** Programs and Practices in K-8 Schools (2004) Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

11. Facts about K-8 Schools: • Your school would keep your 6th graders to become the 7th grade class • Those same kids would become the 8th graders next year • Not necessarily many transfer students – just neighborhood kids Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

12. Facts about K-8 Schools: • 5th through 8th graders will: • Gradually add more teachers during the school day • Gradually add more class taking options in their schedules Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

13. Facts about K-8 Schools: • Benefits for kids and parents: • Long-term relationships with teachers • Students stay closer to home • Same school schedule as younger siblings • Familiar building Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

14. RAND Corporation(Largest Educational Think-Tank in the US):“Wonder Years” Report Positive Findings: • Test scores slightly up for 13 yr. olds • Achievement gap closing slightly • Promising middle school practices available Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

15. RAND Corporation “Wonder Years” Report: Issues of Concern: • Mismatch between MS practices and philosophies • Lack of common planning times • Lack of advisory periods • By middle school, U.S. student achievement lags behind other countries Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

16. RAND Corporation “Wonder Years” report: Six Recommendations Made: • Reconsider stand-alone middle schools to reduce transitions • Offer interventions for lowest- performing students • Adopt comprehensive disciplinary models focused on prevention Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

17. RAND Corporation “Wonder Years” report: Six Recommendations Made (cont.): • Make use of proven professional development models for best practices at each level • Offer parents information about teaching and learning goals • Research programs that promote positive school climate and student well-being Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

18. What Journal Articles Report: Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

19. A Visible Trend … • Many Large districts are implementing K-8 grade configurations, including: Cleveland, Denver, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Milwaukee. • Stated Reasons: • Enhance Academic Performance • Improve Behavior • Increase attendance K-8 Bunch, District Administration 2005. Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

20. One Journal Summary: Many school systems conducting their own research are finding students in grades 6, 7 and 8 who attend K-8 schools… are scoring higher than their counterparts in other grade-span schools as measured by standardized and state assessment exams. D. Hough, 2005 Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

21. K-8 Schools: Potential Advantages, Concerns & Design Issues Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

22. Potential Advantages of K-8 Schools • Data shows that fewer transitions = better student outcomes • Early research indicators of higher student achievement • Parental involvement remains higher • K-8 schools can often better implement the true middle school philosophy • Students well-known over a longer period Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

23. Other Potential Advantages: • Facilitates teacher teaming and planning • Advanced options for younger students • Additional sports opportunities possible • Cross-age tutoring • Flexible scheduling for all students Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

24. Parent Concerns When Considering K-8 Schools • Social, emotional, academic differences • Schedule options – classes and building • Difference between K-5 and 6-8 philosophy • Middle grade students interacting with younger students • K-8 preparation for high school • Don’t get to experience advanced activities Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

25. Issues for K-8 Design Consideration: Choices must be made in the structure of a K-8 school considering: • Student differences at each level • Organization of electives and required courses • Advanced options for students • Best practices at both elementary and middle school levels • Building re-fitting needs Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

26. Exploring K-8 Schools: Strategies • Involve all stakeholders • Read grade configuration literature • Research districts with the same structure • Consider best fit with community values • Thoughtful consideration Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

27. New K-8 Website Website Address: http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/ Visit the site to learn more about K-8 schools, find articles for your team, and keep current on meetings and dates. Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/

28. Questions: Please fill out the questionnaire provided and return to team members. Salt Lake City School District 801-578-8305 http://www.slc.k12.ut.us/schools/k8/