Transitions

Transitions: 

Transitions Ivy C. Alford

Why target middle school transition?: 

Why target middle school transition? The transition point from middle school to high school has the highest percentages of dropouts nation wide. The highest failure rate occurs in grade nine. Preparing students for high school work, directly impacts retention. HSTW

Before High School: 

Before High School

Have teachers work together…: 

Have teachers work together… Improve communication between high school and feeder schools’ faculties and administration.

Have teachers work together…: 

Have teachers work together… Have all 8th and 9th grade teachers who teach the same subject area meet on a regular basis (at least once a quarter) to discuss solutions to impact deficiency areas that exist on both 8th grade and 9th grade state assessments. In addition, have all ninth-grade and middle grades teachers reach agreement on essential state and national readiness standards necessary to prepare students for challenging high school work--use the HSTW publications on Getting Students Ready Guides. Have the district curriculum coordinator work with schools to develop a six through twelve subject area map based on initial conversations for high school readiness standards.

Get a jump start with students: 

Get a jump start with students Establish meetings with 8th graders Host meetings for 8th graders and their parents Use seniors to mentor 8th graders Consider doing a teacher swap Host a special orientation day

Specialize classes for 9th graders: 

Specialize classes for 9th graders Reduce the student-to-teacher ratio at grade nine in all core academic subjects, particularly mathematics, English/reading and science. Select teachers with excellent content knowledge and who have the 9th grade vision. Consider creating a ninth-grade academy

Establish Extra Help Programs: 

Establish Extra Help Programs Structured extra help programs in grades 7 and 8 4 to 6 week summer bridge program for students who need accelerated instruction in math, English and reading Develop courses in grades seven and eight to give extended time to read, write and do math HSTW

What makes a ninth-grade catch-up program high-quality?: 

What makes a ninth-grade catch-up program high-quality? Early identification of students A lower student-teacher ratio in grade nine Qualified teachers with depth of content knowledge teach challenging content School schedules are modified to allow students to be double-dosed – English/reading and mathematics HSTW

What makes a ninth-grade catch-up program high-quality?: 

What makes a ninth-grade catch-up program high-quality? Standard-based Curriculum with unit planning by teachers Teachers are organized into planning teams so they can plan together Recruit the best teachers to lead the ninth-grade teams Move beyond remedial instructional Comprehensive evaluation plan

Organize a Ninth-Grade School/Academy: 

Organize a Ninth-Grade School/Academy Separate grade nine from the rest of the school. Get parent support. Organize into a series of learning communities: teams of teachers common groups of students common planning time HSTW

The Power of I: 

The Power of I Establish a failure is not an option mission for ninth graders Require extra help Review transcripts with students

Habits of Success: 

Habits of Success Ask teachers to integrate study skills, literacy skills and other Habits of Success into their lesson plans especially in grades 7, 8, 9 and 10. Design a ninth-grade enhancement course

Engage Students in CT Studies: 

Engage Students in CT Studies Determine how to get students into CT courses as soon as possible Create a ninth-grade CT exploration course Use interest inventories to assist students in selecting a pathway or Cluster Area

Revise Resources: 

Revise Resources Create and use scheduling resources that highlight Career Clusters and/or pathways Use these resources with required parent conferences to assist students in planning their high school studies Create a portfolio system to use to chart progress

Special Programs for At-Risk: 

Special Programs for At-Risk Create a priority emphasis for at-risk students Establish weekly or even daily contact points for students Communicate with teachers and administrators Provide incentives and periodic rewards for students

Keep students in school: 

Keep students in school Establish REQUIRED extra help programs Provide students/parents with progress reports Establish additional opportunities for students to make up credits

Senior Struggles: 

Senior Struggles How do we provide focus to the senior year? How can we assist students to take advantage of senior year opportunities?

Why target postsecondary transition?: 

Why target postsecondary transition? Senior year not taken seriously Low ACT and SAT scores High remedial rate in English and mathematics Students unprepared for workforce National completion rate for college only 39.9% HSTW

Research Based Strategies for Postsecondary Transition: 

Research Based Strategies for Postsecondary Transition Students earn college credit while in high school. Enroll unprepared students in transition mathematics and English courses. Courses aligned to college and career readiness standards Ensure that students who do not plan to go on to further study are in a CT program. Develop extra help for students having trouble graduating. HSTW

Additional Actions for Making the Senior Year Count : 

Additional Actions for Making the Senior Year Count Have community college administer placement exam during 11th grade ACT Test for everyone in 11th grade Reality check prior to the senior year with parents, adviser and counselor Enroll seniors in upper-level courses Enroll all seniors in at least three academic courses Consider requiring a senior project that includes a research paper, a product or service, an oral presentation and a power point HSTW

Slide22: 

Contact: Ivy C. Alford Director of State Services for School Improvement—HSTW, SREB ivy.alford@sreb.org