Updated+assignment+for+module+3

A000 ** Charles.Price@waldenu.edu ** EDUC-7103-1/EDUC-8843-1 Leading and Managing Educational Technology ** Dr. Rita Conrad ** ** Walden **** University ** ** January 13, 2011 **
 * Charles A. Price **

** Increasing Social Studies CRCT Scores Beyond State Levels ** **Pointe** **South Middle School** **Problem Summary** Point South Middle School scores are lacking behind the state scores in social studies. CRCT scores for the last three years have shown very little improvement. The lack of improvement in social studies has a direct impact on student success on the other four tests.

Do you have research that shows the impact social studies has on the four tests?

**Background of Organization** Pointe South Middle School opened as Pointe South Junior High School in 1978, with a student population of 375, and a staff of seventeen. Since its inception in 1978 the school enrollment has risen from the aforementioned 375 to as high as 1238. The school is located in Jonesboro, GA. There is an almost 50/50 male to female split in the student body. 83% is black, 5% white, 5% Hispanic, and the remaining percentages divided into three other groups. In August of 2011 Pointe South Middle school is set to unveil a new wing of 12 additional classrooms and a new computer lab. Information on the school can be found at []. Reports about the school can be obtained from the Clayton County School district website, as well as the Georgia Department of Education website.

Interesting background information about the makeup of the schools ethical background.

**Stakeholders and Decision-Makers.** The students, community members, and the faculty at Pointe South Middle School will be affected by my plan. The literacy coach, T. Jay and J. Brigham the math coach will have to coordinate the schedule adjustments with the members of their departments. Principal Lillard will meet with the president of the PTSA and discuss any concerns parents may have with the ramifications of the changes in the time for content classes. Dr. Vickers, the head of academics, will be a key contributor in all discussions. The Leadership Team is the final decision makers within the school, but every faculty member’s ideas and suggestions have equal standing. All changes in the schedules will not require approval from county officials, but Superintendent Smith will be consulted. Specific concerns will be addressed through department and grade level chairpersons. Matthew Smith is the Social Studies coordinator for the district and his guidance will be crucial as we attempt to implement schedule changes.

I am a little concerned about the fact you are relying solely on the president of the PTSA for the concerns for all the parents that make up the school. I am sure the PTSA President may not have information from all of the backgrounds of the students that make up the school so his/her concerns may not be a full reflection of all the parents. I would suggest you send questionnaires/surveys home with the students or via mail to all of the parents and let them share their concern with classes.

I wonder if the Leadership Team will take all of the faculty's ideas and suggestions into account or is their mind already made up. I just don't feel I have enough information to fully evaluate the decision of the Leadership Team.

For the 2010 school year, the passing percentage for the state was 70% for 6th grade, 75% for 7th grade, and 60% for 8th grade. At Pointe South Middle School the percentage of 6th graders who took the text in 2010 and passed was 39%, 48% in 7th grade, and 48% in 8th grade. **Desired Performance.** Pointe South would like a 10% AMO for the next three years in each grade level. Students exceeding should increase by 5% each year.
 * Performance Gap: Cause Analysis **
 * Actual Current Performance. **

What does AMO stand for? Students exceeding what???

The difference is 33% in 6th grade, 27% in 7th grade, and 22% in 8th grade. **Cause Analysis.** Pointe South Middle School has relegated social studies to 225 instructional hours per week. In comparison, ELA and math classes meet for 450 hours and additional time is available through connection math and ELA classes for an additional 90 minutes. The lack of sufficient instructional time has handcuffed students and fostered feelings of malaise toward the content. CRCT scores for the last three years have shown very little improvement. Additional challenges for students which explain why the gap exist are the difficult task of effectively covering the extremely broad area of world history, the minimum time devoted to the complex areas of economics and civics, and elected leaders unwillingness to decide how best to prepare our students to be responsible global citizens
 * Performance Gap. **

Pointe South Middle School would prefer the scores to be compatible with the 6th grade statistics for the entire state. At this time the scores for social studies does not count towards AYP. School officials would like to a eliminate the indifference most stakeholders demonstrate towards social studies, increase the instructional time without sacrificing gains in other core content, and ensure interdisciplinary commitment
 * Organizational History and Background **
 * Goals. **

I like the goal of interdisciplinary commitment! I realize social studies doesn't count towards AYP so do you really think the students will take the courses serious--I am simply asking from my experience in education. I hear so many of the students at my school say, "Social Studies doesn't count so I don't have to pass it."

**History.** .The focus, drive and direction of leadership under Mr. Dean Lillard has been for the school embrace the heritage of Pointe South Middle School while refocusing the direction of education to that of a Standards Based Model with an emphasis of creating a Highly Operational, Standards Based, and Rigorous educational environment. Under the leadership of Mr. Dean Lillard, there has been a renewed effort to engage and invigorate the community to help close the obvious achievement gap and instill the mindset that Pointe South Middle School is a community effort, both traditional and innovative in organization, created to ensure student success. This renewed effort has been fruitful. For the first time in since the No Child Left behind Act began Pointe South Middle School made Adequate Yearly Progress for the 2007-2008 school years and for the 2nd time in three years made Adequate Yearly Progress in 2009-2010. Under the leadership of Dean Lillard, and his steadfast reliance on shared governance, the schools strength lies within its people – not just a staff and individual students, but a family. Following the strong, established, and enthusiastic leadership team, the school has welcomed change, and is accepting the charge set forth. Faculty, staff, students, administration, and the community alike plan together and share in the responsibility for excellence at Pointe South. Pointe South Middle School is poised to embrace the challenges of the future with all due reverence and respect to the heritage of excellence that has been forged**.**

**Mission** **and Vision.** To prepare students to enter high school at or above grade level in all content areas while exhibiting good character and citizenship. The vision is to foster a strong school culture and to strengthen community bonds. At Pointe South Middle School, we believe every student deserves a safe, positive, supportive learning community where mutual respect for academic achievement is the standard and our goal is to let excellence, purpose and high expectations drive achievement.
 * Pointe **** South Middle School Mission Statement **

Good mission statement for Pointe South Middle School.

**Three Intervention Strategies** The intervention strategies implemented will focus on curriculum, students, and educators. Students will participate in the AVID program, educators will utilize effective collaborative planning, and educators will incorporate flexible scheduling. Each strategy connects all stakeholders in supportive roles to provide an engaging and rigorous learning environment.

What is the AVID program? AVID is a program designed to help the students who fall into the middle and have no school services to support their academic success. It started in California and it provides the support the majority will not recieve because they fall in the middle.

**Low end intervention.** The interventions for this level are aimed at promoting a family environment. Celebrations, such as Parent University and Academic Night will be planned and provide a festive environment in which all stakeholders can stay informed in a relaxed setting. Peer tutors, backward designing of lesson plans, using power standards,

I need more information about the low end intervention......how much funding are you setting aside for this? The amount for this strategy was approximately $3000. It is designed to be a temporary stage and hopefully lead to greater goals in the future.

**Middle end intervention.** Three interventions used will be the software programs Study Island, Turning point and BrainPop. Study Island has components which provide opportunities for parents to assist students in content mastery. Teachers can match what students are working on in Study Island to what they are doing in class. BrainPop has lesson plans, quizzes, and short and extremely entertaining videos on a variety of subject across all contents. Turning Point can be used with Study Island or as a stand along component. Staff meeting will be designed to provide an opportunity to plan as a content, team, and school wide.

Tell me more about how much the programs will cost? Is this something all students will have access to? When will they be able to access these programs? How often are staff meetings held? The programs will cost a combined amount of $10,000. Study Island can be accessed at home. Each one of these software programs have a highly engaging component. Staff meeting are held once a week after school on specific days for the core contents. Follow-up meetings are held every Thursday.

**High end intervention.** Students will take field trips to the areas they are studying. The exposure and extensive use of 21st century tools such as wiki's, podcast, and Skype will be implemented in the classrooms. Guest speakers and volunteers will provide the real world connect to enhance the learning experience. AVID will be the focal point of helping students prepare to be master students.

Are your classrooms equipped with technology where wiki's, podcast and Skype are readily available? Unfortunately, the wiki is blocked, but we can make a request to have this technology allowed to be used in the classroom.

All of my comments, questions, and suggestions are written in red.

Thanks

Brandy Collins