MS 223: The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology

1. MS 223: The Laboratory School of Finance and Technology Intel Schools of Distinction Finalist

2. Once Upon a Time… • There was a Middle School in the South Bronx named The Laboratory School of Finance & Technology • Why was the school created? • 90% of schools in the district were failing schools • Needed to create a new Middle School to address the violence in old JHS 149 • Mayor became aware of the persistent violence JHS 149 and created Impact Schools which would be schools that would heavily guarded by police officers • After canvassing the neighborhood and doing research created Finance & Technology because kids wanted to learn about money and computers • So the first change that was made was to create an environment where the children felt safe.

3. Chapter 1 : 2003 - 2004 • First year – focus school culture on rewarding kids for exemplary work • Developed & implemented school bucks reward system, which was featured in the Wall Street Journal and became a model program that other schools implemented • Began introducing Investigations into math classes • Used the math program required by everyone in the city • Increased the number of Math periods to 10 weekly, based on the Chancellor’s District model • Weekly Math Team Meetings Implemented

4. Chapter 2 : 2004 – 2005 • Moved from part-time to full-time Math Coach • Worked with union to create a School Based Option which allowed teachers to teach 4 Math/ELA Classes in a row • Scheduled Math classes in the morning because research showed that students were more receptive to math instruction in the morning • Math scores increased as a school and in each grade • Received a waiver to use a Math program based on constructivist learning & investigations and partnered with a different school district to receive professional development

5. Chapter 3 : 2005- 2006 • Worked with the union to create another SBO to lengthen our Extended Day program from 37 ½ minutes to 50 minutes • Standardized our Math Extended Day program, made program skill-based and targeted lowest performing students

6. Chapter 4 : 2006 - 2007 • Started Formal AIS Program • Partnered with NYU and Columbia University Teachers College to host Student Teachers – students receive training, our teachers became mentors, were able to develop small groups for instruction, some student teachers are hired by our school • Became site for America Reads tutors, who also provided math tutoring • Created grade leaders • Revised Math Instruction: 60 minutes Investigations & 30 minutes Skills Practice

7. Chapter 5 : 2007 - 2008 • Focused Differentiation Practices – study groups, whole group PD, walk-through • Smithsonian Magazine does a feature on the school focused on new schools and leadership • Started first Regents class (Integrated Algebra) using hybrid model of technology and teacher-directed instruction • Expanded Intervention Services to include advanced students • First Summer Bridge Program for new 6th grade students to get acclimated to the school and introduced to our math program • Integrated Arts and Math through NY Times Grant (SASI Program)

8. Chapter 6 : 2008-2009 • The New York Post does an article on the school featuring it as 1 of 3 schools in NYC that had 3 consecutive years of increasing math scores • Skills become more refined with use of mastery sheets and tracking students’ progress • Bi-weekly Math Department meetings implemented

9. Chapter 7 : 2009 - 2010 • Opening Advanced Math classes to all students • Career Fair focused on Math, Science & Technology fields • Integrated Math with Technology (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) • Results are more amazing since the school has 40% special ed. and ELLs!

10. Summary Slide • Dedicated, enthusiastic teachers who are passionate about Math • Partnerships with local universities and institutions • Partnerships with community based organizations • Professional Development and Team meetings to address all levels of adult learners • Walk-throughs and inter-visitations to look at trends and classroom practice • Intervention and advanced learning programs to meet the spectrum of students’ needs • System of recognition of school values and student achievement • Use of data analysis through formative and summative assessments that pinpoint student weaknesses • School bucks program and career day focus on integrating technology, finance and mathematics-creating real world applications. • In house Mental health clinic and at least two College overnight trips for all students.

11. …a holistic environment for all children to succeed! THE END Just The Beginning… THE END BEGINNING!!