Seed Fund Presentation: Enhanced Instructional Strategies through Inquiry Based Learning Webb Bridge Middle School Susan Opferman Nan Brown Carmen Hurst
School Needs/Challenges Supporting Data Need/Challenge: • Surveys of students, staff, and parents • Although Webb Bridge Middle School indicated a clear need to engage students (WBMS) has the leading middle school CCRPI more deeply. scores for FCS, needs assessments at WBMS – Only 38% of students agreed with the indicated a need for students to be statement: “ I look forward to coming to challenged in their thinking in order to school each day.” continue to achieve at high levels. • Students and parents voiced a need for • There is a supportive and positive culture at “more challenge” and “more life skills.” WMBS which emphasizes a love of learning. – Student, “My courses seem to have no Teachers expressed the need for additional connection to what I want to do after I tools to challenge students at a deeper level. finish school.” This initiative will implement Inquiry Based • Teachers voiced the need for higher-level Learning (IBL) strategies to enhance student learning. problem solving skills and offer opportunities – for students to apply learning to real life Teacher comments included the desire to situations. “help students become accountable, independent, responsible, and reliable • IBL strategies will springboard WBMS instead of enabled and entitled.” naturally to project based learning, with community wide impact. Exemplifying Excellence Every Day! 2
Project: Target Population & Solution Target Population All students, grades 6-8, will participate in inquiry based learning. All teachers in all content areas will participate in job embedded professional learning. Solution All students, grades 6-8, will be more engaged in their learning and make more connections to real world experiences. All teachers will bring a deeper level of problem solving to lessons through inquiry based learning strategies. Exemplifying Excellence Every Day! 3
Project Plan Strategic Plan Alignment Program Budget Implementation: Program Effectiveness: Impact: (Project Activities) (Project Outcomes) (Long-term Outcomes) Full time teacher leader Aligns with focus areas: Implementation of cutting Concentrated $69,925 – Full edge strategies to enhance teacher training time teacher • Daily classroom interaction #1 Instructional Strategies student achievement. will allow for leader with student instruction, teacher Utilizing strategies and including active learning Students will be better $1,500 – collaboration to activities that ensure a high opportunities for teachers problem solvers and more Professional adapt training degree of student engagement and PLC support. able to apply their learning to days to allot concepts into and student centered learning real life situations. one period effective, long • Organize and implement per teacher lasting classroom professional learning days. #1 Increased use of inquiry to observe enhancements. based learning (IBL) activities exemplary • Coordinate collective #2 Climate and Culture to stretch students’ higher Implementation of work in IBL. opportunities for teachers. order thinking skills. IBL is viewed as Increase student $37,000 – the initial step • Develop and administer accountability and #2. Research shows that IBL contracted toward the responsibility for learning periodic and end-of-year enhances student ownership professional school’s goal of evaluations of program of learning. learning -IBL. immersion in impact. project based Dedicated teacher to oversee $5,000- learning. • Analyze data and report the program will insure the Engaging results to PLCs, leadership focus stays on IBL Schools- and SGC. engagement and high order creating thinking skills. hooks Contracted professional learning. Student, parent, and teacher $1,100 - surveys will monitor progress Support Curricula on inquiry based and impact of program. materials learning. Exemplifying Excellence Every Day! 4
Milestones and Measures Project Outcomes Measures 1. Standardized test scores related to higher 1. Increased use of inquiry based learning (IBL) enabling students to order thinking skills with students setting become better problem solvers and and evaluating quarterly academic goals more able to apply their learning to 2. Semiannual student, parent and teacher real life situations. surveys regarding interest in school and 2. Use of IBL activities to enhance perceptions of engagement and challenge student ownership of learning. 3. Periodic and End-of-Year (EOY) evaluations 3. Dedicated teacher overseeing program to insure IBL is a central focus of program developed and administered at WBMS and becomes a cornerstone by teacher leader implementing the of the school culture. program 4. Concentrated teacher and 4. Improved teacher ratings in the categories collaboration opportunities to adapt of “teacher use of differentiation” and IBL concepts into effective, long- “academically challenging environment” in lasting classroom enhancements TKES (the teacher evaluation program) Exemplifying Excellence Every Day! 5
Budget Summary Amount Proposed Funding Budget Item Budget Item Description Budgeted* Source(s)** Teacher(s) Inquiry Based Learning Teacher Leader $69,925.00 FCS Seed Funds Paraprofessional(s) Support Staff n/a Additional Pay (certified)/Overtime (non- n/a certified) Equipment n/a Supplies/Materials Curricula materials $1,100.00 FCS Seed Funds Professional Development IBL/PBL training and materials $37,000.00 FCS Seed Funds Program for teachers on creating great Independent Contractor(s) $5,000.00 FCS Seed Funds “hooks” (openers) to a lesson. Transportation n/a Supplements n/a Other Professional Services Duty Days $1,500.00 FCS Seed Funds Other: Book Study Teach Like a Pirate $2,475.00 FCS Seed Funds Other GRAND TOTALS $117,000.00 Exemplifying Excellence Every Day! 6
Project Sustainability Growth/Maintenance/ Items/Activities Funding: Source and Cost Sunset Plan Cost Center: $6,000 After the first year of implementation, the IBL teacher support to be paid through salary teachers will have learned the IBL strategies. supplements Teacher support will be sustained through content area Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and supplemented positions. (There will be no need to continue staffing the teacher leader position.) Exemplifying Excellence Every Day! 7
Seed Fund Presentation: Advisement Plus – Enhancing School Climate Webb Bridge Middle School Susan Opferman Nan Brown Carmen Hurst
School Needs/Challenges Supporting Data Need/Challenge: • Through needs assessments of students, staff, Although WBMS has an advisement program, and parents, there is a clear need to support needs assessments indicated a need to have students through advisement on a deeper a stronger sense of belonging and connection level. Of the student population, to the school. • 37% felt that the advisement program • All students need to have identified at least needed to be improved, one trusted adult at school who knows and • 19% felt that “adults at the school seem will support them. really interested and willing to help.” • Our School Governance Council recognizes the need to create an Advisement Leadership Team (ALT) to develop and implement a Clearly the needs assessment indicated work to be done in building positive relationships so customized advisement program. that students feel a sense of belonging and • We seek to partner with Engaging Schools connections to our school. and their Advisement Plus program to identify specific areas of focus for implementation. Exemplifying Excellence Every Day! 9
Project: Target Population & Solution Target Population All students will participate in advisement. Students will build relationships with each other and with an identified adult in the building. Solution All teachers will have a deeper understanding of the need to build positive relationships with middle school students. All students, grades 6-8, will be more engaged in their learning and make more connections to other students and to adults in the building. When students feel a sense of belonging and connections to adults, their school, and other students, they will be better able to reach their potential and achieve at higher levels. Exemplifying Excellence Every Day! 10
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