Hamden Middle School School Improvement Plan 2011-2014

School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 1 of 9

HAMDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL HAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2011-2014

COVER PAGE

School Name: Hamden Middle School

School District: Hamden Public Schools______

Name of Principal: Mr. James O’Connor

Current School Year: 2010-2011

Please check all applicable boxes below: Needs Improvement:

 Year 1

Whole School: Subgroup Reading:

 Reading

 Year 2

 Mathematics

 Students with Disabilities

Subgroup Mathematics:  Students with Disabilities Title I:

 Year 3

 School-Wide Program

 Year 4

Year 5

 Year 6

 Year 7

 Participation

 English Language Learners

 Black

 Hispanic

 English Language Learners

 Black

 Hispanic

 Targeted Assistance

Principal’s Signature:

Date:

Superintendent’s Signature:

Date:

School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 2 of 9

 Economically Disadvantaged  Economically Disadvantaged

School Vision/Mission: The mission of Hamden Middle School is to ensure all of our students learn to the best of their potential each and everyday they are entrusted to our care.

The school data team authored this document and will be the body ultimately responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan, hereafter referred to as the SIP. The objective of the SIP is to eliminate the disparity in achievement for all students by providing the necessary means for students to succeed academically. The goals that were developed within the plan reflect the necessary improvement needed to make adequate yearly progress pursuant to the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The strategies listed under each of our three goals reflect the steps that will be taken by administrators, teachers, and other support staff to meet our primary aim -- to ensure that all Hamden Public School students, regardless of racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, or linguistic subgroup, have the skills and knowledge required to be successful members of the community. Central Office Representatives Frances Rabinowitz, Superintendent of Schools Marie Jordan-Whitney, Assistant Superintendent William McGraw, Assistant Superintendent Betsy Carter, Director of Mathematics Pasquale Frisketti, Director of Science Diane Marinaro, Social Studies Department Chair Karolyn Rodriguez, World Language Chair School Administration & Staff James O’Connor, Principal Rhonda Jackson, Assistant Principal Daniel Levy, Assistant Principal Jennifer Britton, Special Education Teacher Sandra Carey, Language Arts Curriculum Leader & Literacy Specialist Dana Domurad, English Teacher Arlene Herens, Library Media Specialist Cali Hettrich, School Psychologist Cory LaChance, Social Studies Teacher / Team Leader Christine LaVallee, Mathematics Teacher Brenna Symonaitis, Science Teacher / Team Leader School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 3 of 9

GOALS: 1. Implement the Data Driven Decision Making Process to drive instruction and inform practice using Connecticut Accountability for Learning Initiative (CALI). 2. Increase rigor. 3. Establish a system of supports for all students.

School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 4 of 9

GOAL 1: Implement the Data Driven Decision Making Process to drive instruction and inform practice using Connecticut Accountability for Learning Initiative (CALI). Steps to Implement

Who is Responsible

Professional Development/Additional Skills and Knowledge

Indicators of Success

Resources HMS will have a school-wide data team and grade-level content area data teams in English and Mathematics including (as appropriate): • Principal/Assistant Principal • Content-Area Representatives • Team Leaders • Literacy Specialist • PPS Representatives

• Principal • Department Directors / Chairpersons • District Data Facilitator • CALI trained Data Team Coaches

• ACES PDSI • CALI • District Data Team Coaches

• Resources for curriculum development • Use of department meeting times

• Designated staff meeting times to present overview of District Improvement Plan (DIP) and School Improvement Plan (SIP)

Communicate the vision and rationale for implementing the Data Driven Decision Making Process (DDDM).

• Administrators • Data Team

Provide ongoing Data Team and Common Formative Assessment (CFA) training for all certified staff to ensure consistency and fidelity in grades 7-8.

• CALI/District Trainers • Data Coaches • ACES Professional Development / School Improvement (PDSI)

• Data Team Training/Coaching for Administrators, Teachers

• Directors • Specialists • Teachers

• Directors, Specialists, and Teachers will analyze existing and develop new CFAs.

Create Common Formative Assessments (CFAs) in all content areas. Administer Blue Ribbon Testing twice or three times per year to establish a baseline of student achievement data. Teachers will use Blue Ribbon data to modify instructional goals and strategies. Teachers and PPS staff will have the ability to review all items in a student’s Tyler SIS profile including: schedule, attendance, class progress, demographics, contacts, assignments (for all classes), academic history, discipline, standardized test scores and student notes.

• Teachers • Administrators

• Identification of trainers • Training content and schedule

• All certified staff will have knowledge of the district’s vision for implementation of DDDM.

• All certified staff will be trained in the Data Team and CFA processes using the CALI Model.

• All curriculum units will contain CFAs.

• Resources for curriculum development • Ongoing professional development in the area of custom testing • Ongoing professional development in the area of data analysis

• Secure ongoing funding for Blue Ribbon Testing.

• Clerical Staff (to input data) • Administrators • Teachers • PPS Staff

• HMS will have fully functional school-wide and grade-level content area data teams in English and Mathematics data teams.

• Additional training on Tyler SIS.

• Teacher / PPS Staff will have access to all referenced Tyler SIS “fields”. • Clerical time to input data.

• HMS Teachers will use Blue Ribbon data to drive instruction. • HMS Teachers will use Blue Ribbon data to modify instructional goals and strategies.

• Teachers will be able to access and utilize relevant student data. • Teachers will have all necessary access to Tyler SIS.

School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 5 of 9

GOAL 2: Increase rigor. Steps to Implement

Who is Responsible

Professional Development/Additional Skills and Knowledge

Indicators of Success

Resources Create and / or implement Understanding by Design (UbD) units in mathematics, language arts, fine arts, physical education, health, social studies and science with embedded assessments and pacing calendars. Establish indicators and identify nontraditional students for placement in “Level 5 / Non-TAG” courses using CMT and Blue Ribbon scores in conjunction with teacher recommendation. Implement common assessments based on CMT / CAPT standards to evaluate progress and determines instruction.

• Department Directors / Department Chairpersons • Teachers

• Teachers • Administrators

• Teachers • Department Directors / Chairpersons

Establish supports for identified students: Students Achieving Individual Levels of Success (SAILS) which includes tutorial, teacher office hours, peer tutoring and team meetings in collaboration with PPS.

• Administrators • Directors / Department Chairs • Teachers • Parents • Community Members

Develop a monitoring system for evaluating success of efforts and supports for SAILS students. Team Leaders, PPS, and grade level administrators will monitor students experiencing academic risks.

• Administrators • Directors / Department Chairs • Teachers

• Training in application of Understanding by Design curriculum process

• Provide release time.

• Funding for curriculum materials for “Level 5” courses. • Release time for “Level 5” Curriculum Development. • Training in application of Understanding by Design curriculum process

• Provide release time.

• Improved student achievement through consistent district-wide learning opportunities to improve student achievement.

• Increased number of non-traditional secondary students enrolled in higher level courses.

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• Tutors for after school • Instructional Support Services (ISS) Coordinators

• Grant writing resources needed (grant application completed Connecticut Education Association CEA)

• Successful student performance as measured by school-based benchmarks.

• SAILS Professional Development

• Two sixth assignments for HMS SAILS teachers • TEMS training • SAILS Professional Development

• TEMS application for data collection • Two sixth assignments for HMS SAILS teachers

• Successful student performance as measured by school-based benchmarks. • Annual evaluation of SAILS program.

Continue implementation of CMTpreparatory class for students who are within reach of proficiency.

• Administrators • Literacy Specialist

• Materials for CMT Preparatory Class

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

Enlist literacy leaders to provide resources, co-teach, model lessons, attend team meetings and collaborate with all teachers to improve literacy instruction daily.

• Literacy Leaders • Administrators

• Release time for literacy leaders • Funding for Resources for Literacy Leaders

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 6 of 9

GOAL 2: Increase rigor. (continued) Steps to Implement

Who is Responsible

Increase non-fiction writing in all content areas through inclusion of non-fiction writing in each department’s UbD “Learning Plan”.

• Assistant Superintendent • Administrators • Science Director • Mathematics Director • English Department Chair • Social Studies Chair •Literacy Specialists • Teachers

Professional Development/Additional Skills and Knowledge

Indicators of Success

Resources • Professional development in writing across the curriculum areas.

• Use of department meeting times to collaborate. •Expand use of MyAccess to all teams. • Analyze student writing and plan for instruction in grade level teams with support from literacy specialists. • Professional Development in teaching editing and revising for non-Language Arts teachers.

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

Adhere to state standards and exemplars for writing.

• Administrators • Assistant Superintendent • Teachers • Curriculum Leader / Literacy Specialist

Adhere to Language Arts pacing guidelines that follow State Grade Level Expectations (GLEs).

• Curriculum Leader / Literacy Specialist • English Teachers • Administrators

• Use of department meeting times • Provide pacing guides on-line.

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• Mathematics Department Director • Math Teachers • Administrators

• Use of department meeting times • Provide pacing guides and UbDs on-line.

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• Mathematics Department Director • Elementary Math Specialists • Elementary Teachers • Administrators

• Funding for transportation • HMS Mathematics Specialist

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• Mathematics Department Director • HMS Teachers • Administrators

• Funding for transportation • HMS Mathematics Specialist

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• Professional Development

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

Adhere to Mathematics pacing guidelines, as precursor to creation of curriculum units in UbD format that follow State Grade Level Expectations (GLEs). Increase access to above grade level mathematics for students in grade 6 by expanding the Advanced Math Program (AMP) for sixth graders who are bussed to HMS. Increase access to above grade level mathematics courses: • Seventh grade students are able to take Algebra I or Geometry. • Eighth grade students are able to take Algebra I, Geometry or Algebra II* (*at HHS). Include open-ended science questions with CMT rubrics for embedded tasks.

• Teachers • Science Director

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• School-developed Writing Prompts • Editing and Revising Curriculum Materials • “Empowering Writers” Materials •Expand use of MyAccess to all teams.

• Embedded Task Material

School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 7 of 9

GOAL 3: Establish a system of supports for all students. Steps to Implement

Who is Responsible

Professional Development/Additional Skills and Knowledge

Indicators of Success

Resources Identify pre-existing support strategies in place in grades 7-8.

Assess effectiveness of preexisting strategies and develop a coordinated system of supports using a Pyramid of Supports for grades 7-8. PPS Staff will conduct a school climate survey to collect data which will then be used to develop Tier II and Tier III interventions. PPS Staff will enhance social and emotional learning by offering specialized programming to students. Provide parents/guardians with information and/or strategies that will support their child’s holistic development (e.g. DVDs on literacy support). Collaborate with PTA Council and individual PTAs to provide parent forums on various child development and learning opportunities.

• Administrators • Teachers • PPS Staff • Team Leaders • Team Leaders • Teaching Staff • PPS • HMS Attendance Officer • Parents • Administration

• Team Meeting Time

• Continue SRBI staff development

• Provide release time for training meetings • On-line credit recovery courses

• A compilation of support strategies utilized to improve student achievement and behavior in grades 7-8. Students will receive relevant and appropriate interventions and supports in order to: • Increase students’ scoring at proficiency and above on the CMT and CAPT. • Reduction of in school and out of school suspensions. • Reduction in absenteeism / tardiness.

• PPS Staff • IT Staff

• Funding for materials.

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• PPS Staff • Coordinator of Special Education Support Services

• Funding for materials.

• Improved student achievement and behavior in grades 7-8.

• Increased student achievement as measured by school/ district/state assessments.

• Appropriate PPS Staff • Building and District-based Administrators • Teachers • PTA and PTA Council

• Research on effective parenting practices in support of their child’s education

Implement the Tyler SIS Parent Portal.

• HPS IT Staff • Administrators • Teachers

• Additional Tyler SIS Training

• Parents are able to track their children’s academic progress using Tyler SIS Parent Portal.

Support students with excessive absences and/or tardies.

• Attendance Intervention Specialist • Administrators • PPS Staff

• Funding for the Attendance Intervention Specialist position & program.

• Improved student attendance.

• Better-informed parents. • Strategy bank available to all parents K-12 via newsletters, websites, mailings and workshops.

School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 8 of 9

GOAL 3: Establish a system of supports for all students. (continued) Steps to Implement

Who is Responsible

Professional Development/Additional Skills and Knowledge

Indicators of Success

Resources Provide compensatory learning strategies for those students who are non-proficient in literacy through Language Arts Strategies (LAS) class. Develop and implement intervention for students not meeting proficiency levels in mathematics. Review CMT test-taking strategies, format and content for all seventh and eighth grade students prior to CMT administration. Continue implementation of summer school program to help at-risk students to meet gradelevel expectations. Continue and expand the SAILS Program.

• LAS Teachers • Literacy Specialist • Administrators • PPS Staff

• Funding for materials.

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• Math Teachers • Math Specialist • Administrators • Math Director

• Funding for materials and Math Specialist

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• Teachers • Administrators • Literacy Specialist

• Duplication of materials

• Improved student achievement, as measured by the CMT.

• Administrators • PPS Staff • Teachers

• Continued Development of Summer School UbD Curriculum • Continued Funding for Summer School

• Improved student achievement, as measured by state/district/school assessments.

• SAILS Team (Team Leader, Program Coordinator, SAILS Teacher, SAILS Tutor, Core Team Staff, Administration and PPS)

• Teacher training, on-line conferences

• Provide release time for training and program development

• Students will complete the program successfully and progress toward Advanced Placement course participation.

School Improvement Plan • Hamden Middle School • Hamden Public Schools • Page 9 of 9