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Comprehensive
School Reform Models
AIM
at Middle-Grades Results •
Different
Ways of Knowing
Making Middle Grades Work •
Making Schools Work
• Middle
Start
Success
for All Middle School Program
Talent Development Middle School Model
Model
Design
Key
Features
As
articulated in the vision statement of the National
Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform, high performing
middle schools are academically excellent, developmentally
responsive, and socially equitable. Turning Points
schools work towards this vision by engaging in six
practices that translate the Turning Points principles
into action in each school and throughout a network
of Turning Points schools in a district. All principles
and practices are interconnected—work in one
area will depend on, or influence, work in another.
The
six Turning Points practices are:
- Improving
Learning, Teaching, and Assessment for All Students
Faculty use local and state standards to develop
curriculum with a focus on literacy and numeracy,
select instructional strategies to meet the diverse
needs of all students, and develop authentic assessments.
- Building
Leadership Capacity and a Professional Collaborative
Culture
Faculty create a democratic school community, establish
a leadership team and teacher study groups, look
at student and teacher work, and engage in other
ongoing professional learning.
- Data-based
Inquiry and Decision Making
Faculty and students complete an annual self study
survey on all areas of the school. This data, together
with a range of other measures, is used to identify
strengths and gaps, and develop solutions for improving
learning.
- Creating
a School Culture to Support High Achievement and
Personal Development
Schools redirect resources to create small learning
communities, eliminate rigid ability grouping, create
longer blocks of learning time, and build family
and community partnerships.
- Networking
with Like-minded Schools
Schools engage in a supportive professional network,
participating in a range of school-year and summer
network activities.
- Developing
District Capacity to Support School Change
Districts partner with Turning Points schools to
provide them with increased flexibility and autonomy
to be innovative.
Organizational
Supports
Rather
than prescribed solutions, schools require skilled
assistance and access to research on best practice
as they engage in and construct their own paths to
improvement. Schools that select the Turning Points
design through careful deliberation will be supported
and guided by a coherent philosophy and set of tools,
as well as by the shared experiences of other improving
middle schools. The change efforts of individual schools
require external support. Turning Points schools need
a strong local network and a district whose policies,
practices, and resources are directed towards high
student achievement and equity.
The
Turning Points design for middle school change calls
for schools to commit to work with Turning Points
staff to develop a comprehensive plan of action that
addresses the six key practices over several years.
Each school's plan considers its unique context, needs,
and priorities. While engaged in specific strategies
to move the school forward, the school must return
frequently to the principles and reflect on the whole
design in order to stay connected to the vision and
the long-term plan for change. Turning Points schools
engage in ongoing assessment of progress, including
an annual assessment using the Benchmarks to Becoming
a Turning Points School.
Member
schools are provided with technical assistance, coaching,
and professional development. Most commonly, a Turning
Points coach will spend several days a month in a
school facilitating teacher team meetings, working
with the leadership team, and problem-solving with
school administration and faculty. An internal facilitator,
designated by the school, partners with the coach
and shares in facilitation and coordination of the
work. Over time, the school increasingly builds its
own capacity to carry on the work of planning, facilitating,
and guiding the change process.
In
order to improve and sustain student learning, Turning
Points schools need to 1) use the seven Turning Points
principles to create a strong vision of a middle school
learning community, 2) focus deeply on improving learning,
teaching, and assessment, and 3) create the school
culture, structures, and supports that enable all
students to learn at high levels and all faculty to
engage in continuous professional development and
purposeful collaboration. In doing so, schools must
embrace the twin goals of high student achievement
(excellence) and ensuring opportunity and success
for each and every student (equity).
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View
other Comprehensive School Reform Models
AIM
at Middle-Grades Results •
Different
Ways of Knowing
Making Middle Grades Work •
Making Schools Work
• Middle
Start
Success
for All Middle School Program
Talent Development Middle School Model
|
