Everyday educators, whether they are teachers, administrators, or board members, are striving to improve the services they offer. Teachers attend in-service training; principals meet with other administrators in their district, state, or even the nation; and board members travel to see what other districts are doing right All with the intention of gleaning the best methods and practices for their own schools. Atlanta Schools are no exception. As of the 2006-07 school year, Atlanta Schools were made up of the following:

* Traditional schools (89) * Elementary schools (59) * Middle schools (16)

* High schools (14) * Nontraditional programs (2)* Charter schools (7)

* Adult learning centers (1) * APS Learning Institutes (99)*Title I Schools (89)

* Year-Round Schools (3) * Schools of Excellence (2) * Magnet Schools (7)

Atlanta Schools serve a large number of students. The enrollment for the past school year (2006-2007) was 49,392. The students of Atlanta Schools represent many diverse, ethnic groups:

* African-American 85.98% * American Indian/Alaskan .03%

* Asian .59% * Caucasian 8.37%

* Hispanic 4.10% * Multiracial .93%

The operating budget in the past school year was $582,839,767. Atlanta Schools employ a total of 6,536 employees. 3,465 of these are full-time teachers, 226 are members of the Student Support Staff. 1,900 of Atlanta Schools teachers hold advanced degrees, and another 42 have achieved National Board Certification. The beginning teacher salary for the ’05-’06 school year was $40,157.

Atlanta Schools have embraced many models of school reform, and have implemented them throughout the district, to serve individual areas as needed. Samples of these models are:

America’s Choice: This model enables all students to reach internationally benchmarked standards. Learning is focused on getting all Continue Reading

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Everyday educators, whether they are teachers, administrators, or board members, are striving to improve the services they offer. Teachers attend in-service training; principals meet with other administrators in their district, state, or even the nation; and board members travel to see what other districts are doing right All with the intention of gleaning the best methods and practices for their own schools. Atlanta Schools are no exception. As of the 2006-07 school year, Atlanta Schools were made up of the following:

* Traditional schools (89) * Elementary schools (59) * Middle schools (16)

* High schools (14) * Nontraditional programs (2)* Charter schools (7)

* Adult learning centers (1) * APS Learning Institutes (99)*Title I Schools (89)

* Year-Round Schools (3) * Schools of Excellence (2) * Magnet Schools (7)

Atlanta Schools serve a large number of students. The enrollment for the past school year (2006-2007) was 49,392. The students of Atlanta Schools represent many diverse, ethnic groups:

* African-American 85.98% * American Indian/Alaskan .03%

* Asian .59% * Caucasian 8.37%

* Hispanic 4.10% * Multiracial .93%

The operating budget in the past school year was $582,839,767. Atlanta Schools employ a total of 6,536 employees. 3,465 of these are full-time teachers, 226 are members of the Student Support Staff. 1,900 of Atlanta Schools teachers hold advanced degrees, and another 42 have achieved National Board Certification. The beginning teacher salary for the ’05-’06 school year was $40,157.

Atlanta Schools have embraced many models of school reform, and have implemented them throughout the district, to serve individual areas as needed. Samples of these models are:

America’s Choice: This model enables all students to reach internationally benchmarked standards. Learning is focused on getting all Continue Reading

]]> http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/atlanta-schools-are-models-of-reform/feed/ 0 http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/desegregation-in-san-jose-schools/ http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/desegregation-in-san-jose-schools/#comments Wed, 18 Jun 2008 05:14:00 +0000 admin http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/desegregation-in-san-jose-schools/

You know that racial gap that’s getting so much attention? Well, I’m thrilled that it’s on the minds of politicians, because it’s a problem. Unfortunately, it’s a problem with some pretty deep roots. In 1971, San Jose Public Schools had a dilemma. It seemed to parents that the schools were knowingly and purposely segregating students. Hispanics were the group most targeted in this segregation. So some parents filed a class action suit with the intention of forcing the district to remedy the situation.

San Jose Schools began to address and remedy the problem. For 18 years – from 1985 when the Federal Court Order was settled, to 2003 when they were able to demonstrate that they had complied with it, the district has implemented the changes required by the court order.

A large urban school district, San Jose Schools serve approximately 32,000 students. San Jose Schools are located fifty miles south of San Francisco, in the heart of the Silicon Valley. This is a geographic area of over fifty square miles. The eleventh largest urban school district in California, it has thirty-one elementary schools, seven middle schools, and seven high schools.

The student population is:

31% Anglo 49% Hispanic 13% Asian

3% Black 4% other.

From 1985 to 2003, San Jose Schools followed the plan to desegregate all of its schools in accordance with a Federal Court Order signed on behalf of the Hispanic student population. The decision is based primarily on making school choices available in the San Jose Schools. School choice is another hot topic. Frankly, I think that choice pushes all schools to improve. But not everyone aggress.

The court order was modified in 1998 to allow elementary age students to attend their neighborhood schools. As a result of the Federal Court Order, the San Jose School offers parents and students a wide variety of middle and high Continue Reading

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You know that racial gap that’s getting so much attention? Well, I’m thrilled that it’s on the minds of politicians, because it’s a problem. Unfortunately, it’s a problem with some pretty deep roots. In 1971, San Jose Public Schools had a dilemma. It seemed to parents that the schools were knowingly and purposely segregating students. Hispanics were the group most targeted in this segregation. So some parents filed a class action suit with the intention of forcing the district to remedy the situation.

San Jose Schools began to address and remedy the problem. For 18 years – from 1985 when the Federal Court Order was settled, to 2003 when they were able to demonstrate that they had complied with it, the district has implemented the changes required by the court order.

A large urban school district, San Jose Schools serve approximately 32,000 students. San Jose Schools are located fifty miles south of San Francisco, in the heart of the Silicon Valley. This is a geographic area of over fifty square miles. The eleventh largest urban school district in California, it has thirty-one elementary schools, seven middle schools, and seven high schools.

The student population is:

31% Anglo 49% Hispanic 13% Asian

3% Black 4% other.

From 1985 to 2003, San Jose Schools followed the plan to desegregate all of its schools in accordance with a Federal Court Order signed on behalf of the Hispanic student population. The decision is based primarily on making school choices available in the San Jose Schools. School choice is another hot topic. Frankly, I think that choice pushes all schools to improve. But not everyone aggress.

The court order was modified in 1998 to allow elementary age students to attend their neighborhood schools. As a result of the Federal Court Order, the San Jose School offers parents and students a wide variety of middle and high Continue Reading

]]> http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/desegregation-in-san-jose-schools/feed/ 0 http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/san-jose-schools-programs-and-projects/ http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/san-jose-schools-programs-and-projects/#comments Mon, 26 May 2008 21:27:07 +0000 admin http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/san-jose-schools-programs-and-projects/

San José Schools are members of a large urban school district serving about 32,000 students from kindergarten through grade twelve. San Jose Schools represent the eleventh largest urban school district in California, with thirty one elementary schools, seven middle schools, and seven high schools. The student population is 31% Anglo, 49% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 3% Black and 4% other minority. The district’s web page states the following Vision Statement: “San Jose Schools [are] learning communit[ies] that inspire students to be the best they can be, equipping them with world class skills, a commitment to lifelong learning, active citizenship in a diverse society, and respect for self and others.”

Service Projects: San Jose Schools students learn about service projects through a partnership with Youth Re:Action Corps (www.yrcorps.org), a high school based program to educate young people about local, national and international issues, empower them to create plans for social change, and invest financially in their visions of a better world.

Awards: On May 27, 2007, San Jose Schools announced that the Capitol Expressway Auto Dealers Charitable Foundation donated $50,000 to 12 elementary schools

and supports 38 third grade classroom libraries. San Jose Schools Superintendent Don Iglesias, stated, “We are very grateful…for their generosity and commitment to education displayed by their…donation. Literacy is the key to successful learning for our students.”

New Program: One San Jose Schools high school, Leland High School, has instituted the “Every 15 Minutes” program. This is an anti-DUI program which emphasizes good decision making for high school juniors and seniors. The program has two phases; phase one is a simulated accident scene and phase two is a funeral that includes guest speakers who have lost loved ones in alcohol related collisions. The program Continue Reading

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San José Schools are members of a large urban school district serving about 32,000 students from kindergarten through grade twelve. San Jose Schools represent the eleventh largest urban school district in California, with thirty one elementary schools, seven middle schools, and seven high schools. The student population is 31% Anglo, 49% Hispanic, 13% Asian, 3% Black and 4% other minority. The district’s web page states the following Vision Statement: “San Jose Schools [are] learning communit[ies] that inspire students to be the best they can be, equipping them with world class skills, a commitment to lifelong learning, active citizenship in a diverse society, and respect for self and others.”

Service Projects: San Jose Schools students learn about service projects through a partnership with Youth Re:Action Corps (www.yrcorps.org), a high school based program to educate young people about local, national and international issues, empower them to create plans for social change, and invest financially in their visions of a better world.

Awards: On May 27, 2007, San Jose Schools announced that the Capitol Expressway Auto Dealers Charitable Foundation donated $50,000 to 12 elementary schools

and supports 38 third grade classroom libraries. San Jose Schools Superintendent Don Iglesias, stated, “We are very grateful…for their generosity and commitment to education displayed by their…donation. Literacy is the key to successful learning for our students.”

New Program: One San Jose Schools high school, Leland High School, has instituted the “Every 15 Minutes” program. This is an anti-DUI program which emphasizes good decision making for high school juniors and seniors. The program has two phases; phase one is a simulated accident scene and phase two is a funeral that includes guest speakers who have lost loved ones in alcohol related collisions. The program Continue Reading

]]> http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/san-jose-schools-programs-and-projects/feed/ 0 http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/st-louis-schools-sensitive-to-needs-of-alternative-students/ http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/st-louis-schools-sensitive-to-needs-of-alternative-students/#comments Sun, 30 Mar 2008 21:50:04 +0000 admin http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/st-louis-schools-sensitive-to-needs-of-alternative-students/

The efforts of St. Louis Schools to serve the needs of its alternative schools are admirable. Through the implementation of new summer schools programs, a virtual school, and 3 new alternative campuses, the district of St. Louis Schools strives to serve all students throughout the city. The district Vision and Mission Statements, as stated on the St. Louis Schools website are as follows:

Vision

The St. Louis Public Schools are the district of choice for families in the St. Louis region [and] provide a world-class education and are nationally recognized as a leader in student achievement & teacher quality.

Mission

We will provide a quality education for all students and enable them to realize their full academic potential.

St. Louis Schools consist of 56 elementary schools, 22 middle schools, 10 high schools,

5 alternative/special schools, with a total of 93 in all. The student population is 39,554, and has a drop-out rate of 18.7%. St. Louis Schools employ 4,333 full-time staff, and has a total operating budget of over $342 million.

St. Louis Schools plan to launch a new K-12 initiative at the start of the 2007-2008 school year. It is designed specifically for disruptive students. Enrollment at each school will be limited to 150 students. Bonita Jamison has been named principal of Des Peres Elementary; Sean Nichols will be principal of Turner Middle School; and Kacy Seals will take the reins of Kottmeyer High School. “We have hired instructional leaders with a strong understanding of the needs of alternative students,” said Diana M. Bourisaw, Superintendent of St. Louis Schools. “Our goal is to offer curriculum that encourages students at all levels to achieve academically and socially.” This new initiative is being implemented with assistance from The Big Picture Company. This is an organization that specializes in developing Continue Reading

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The efforts of St. Louis Schools to serve the needs of its alternative schools are admirable. Through the implementation of new summer schools programs, a virtual school, and 3 new alternative campuses, the district of St. Louis Schools strives to serve all students throughout the city. The district Vision and Mission Statements, as stated on the St. Louis Schools website are as follows:

Vision

The St. Louis Public Schools are the district of choice for families in the St. Louis region [and] provide a world-class education and are nationally recognized as a leader in student achievement & teacher quality.

Mission

We will provide a quality education for all students and enable them to realize their full academic potential.

St. Louis Schools consist of 56 elementary schools, 22 middle schools, 10 high schools,

5 alternative/special schools, with a total of 93 in all. The student population is 39,554, and has a drop-out rate of 18.7%. St. Louis Schools employ 4,333 full-time staff, and has a total operating budget of over $342 million.

St. Louis Schools plan to launch a new K-12 initiative at the start of the 2007-2008 school year. It is designed specifically for disruptive students. Enrollment at each school will be limited to 150 students. Bonita Jamison has been named principal of Des Peres Elementary; Sean Nichols will be principal of Turner Middle School; and Kacy Seals will take the reins of Kottmeyer High School. “We have hired instructional leaders with a strong understanding of the needs of alternative students,” said Diana M. Bourisaw, Superintendent of St. Louis Schools. “Our goal is to offer curriculum that encourages students at all levels to achieve academically and socially.” This new initiative is being implemented with assistance from The Big Picture Company. This is an organization that specializes in developing Continue Reading

]]> http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/st-louis-schools-sensitive-to-needs-of-alternative-students/feed/ 0 http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/desperate-times-for-some-california-schools/ http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/desperate-times-for-some-california-schools/#comments Tue, 19 Feb 2008 02:28:03 +0000 admin http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/desperate-times-for-some-california-schools/

A large part of the country’s education systems have long looked to California Schools to demonstrate what works in education. While many California Public Schools are indeed exemplary, there are also many that are struggling. In 1999, the state of California decided that it needed to take a closer look at these struggling schools, and that these California Schools needed help to overcome their problems.

The California Schools in question shared one common characteristic – a relatively high level of student poverty. Many but not all of them have high percentages of students who were English learners and/or Hispanic, a statistic that has been correlated with student poverty. Most have very small populations of white students.

These troubled California Schools tended to be larger than average and were much more likely to be on a multitrack, year-round calendar. This type of school calendar allows the school in question to serve a greater number of students by being open all 12 months of the year; with some California Schools teachers and classes sharing rooms with those who are off on a break.

In terms of staffing, these California Schools had a much higher proportion of teachers not fully credentialed and were also more likely to have a high percentage of first- and second-year teachers.

Principals of the California Schools in question were surveyed to determine the differences in the challenges faced by their particular schools. School district officials were also able to provide more information.

California has operated its school accountability system for nine years now and the average API (Academic Performance Index) scores for all schools have risen. Elementary schools have shown the most progress. However, as a whole, elementary level California Schools have faced greater challenges than their middle- and high-school counterparts.

On average, Continue Reading

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A large part of the country’s education systems have long looked to California Schools to demonstrate what works in education. While many California Public Schools are indeed exemplary, there are also many that are struggling. In 1999, the state of California decided that it needed to take a closer look at these struggling schools, and that these California Schools needed help to overcome their problems.

The California Schools in question shared one common characteristic – a relatively high level of student poverty. Many but not all of them have high percentages of students who were English learners and/or Hispanic, a statistic that has been correlated with student poverty. Most have very small populations of white students.

These troubled California Schools tended to be larger than average and were much more likely to be on a multitrack, year-round calendar. This type of school calendar allows the school in question to serve a greater number of students by being open all 12 months of the year; with some California Schools teachers and classes sharing rooms with those who are off on a break.

In terms of staffing, these California Schools had a much higher proportion of teachers not fully credentialed and were also more likely to have a high percentage of first- and second-year teachers.

Principals of the California Schools in question were surveyed to determine the differences in the challenges faced by their particular schools. School district officials were also able to provide more information.

California has operated its school accountability system for nine years now and the average API (Academic Performance Index) scores for all schools have risen. Elementary schools have shown the most progress. However, as a whole, elementary level California Schools have faced greater challenges than their middle- and high-school counterparts.

On average, Continue Reading

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