New York State’s “Schools to Watch” Program

1. 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 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 • Dr. David Payton (david.payton412@gmail.com) • Marybeth Casey (marybeth.casey@nysed.gov) • Bruce MacBain (bmacbain@moraviaschool.org) • Joel Weiss (Joelhw@aol.com) • Dr. Nance Wilson (nance.wilson@cortland.edu) • Dawn Scagnelli (dawn.scagnelli@nysed.gov) • Brian Sherman (brian.sherman001@gmail.com

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 and system superintendent 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, NYC Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, 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 NYSMSA, NYSUT, & 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?