Middle School Study
PRE NELMS
The Process 1. During the 2016 - 2017 school year, the Middle School Steering Team Worked with the entire middle school faculty and staff to create a Self-Study (2016-2017). The team created a survey regarding areas of strength, areas of challenge, and areas of immediate need, which they distributed to the faculty. Members of Middle School Steering Team: Kerri Sandler, Catherine Duggan, Holly Sullivan, Eileen Weisslinger, Jeff Knight, Joan McTigue, Paula Jewell, Gail St.Peter, Donna Melia, Erin Ryan, Catherine Nelligan, Bob Erlandsen, and Kathy Sanges
The Process Last Year’s Findings Regarding Areas of Strength, Areas of Challenge & Areas of Immediate Need: A. Areas of strength: teacher-student relationships and a highly qualified faculty B. Areas of challenge: special education schedule, executive functioning for students, some class size concerns, student anxiety, and the need for more “fun” C. Areas of immediate need: middle school identity, middle school office to facilitate communication, and some facility issues
The Process (continued) 2. Also in 2016-2017, the Middle School Steering Team created six subcommittees (2016-2017) in order to address the needs identified in the self-study. Culture, Grading Practices, Curriculum, Student Supports, Schedule and Structure These committees met once a month from December to April to identify areas within their subcommittee, which they thought should be a focus
CHANGES THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE THIS YEAR
Skipper Creed
Skipper Creed
Skipper Creed Awards Ceremony
Skipper Creed
Skipper Creed
Fun and Learning: Learning Opportunities for Students
Fun and Learning: Middle School Teacher Book Club
Fun and Learning: Middle School Spirit Days
Middle School Bumper Magnets (Branding)
Office Hours in the Middle School
Executive Function Classes at the Middle School
BRYT Program Tiered Support
The NELMS Part of the Process
The Process (continued) 4. The Steering Team worked to bring New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) to CMS to complete a middle school study and to help steer the next steps in the process. Visiting Team Members: William Downey, Team Leader Jerry Frew, Executive Director of NELMS Cynthia Bresnahan, Middle School Special Education, Norton, MA Alexander Hoyt, Middle School Teacher, Hudson, MA Kathryn Small, Middle School Teacher, Wolfeboro, NH
WHY NELMS? The NELMS Assessment... Is Research-Based: It is based on the research in Turning Points 2000 , and it incorporates AMLE's This We Believe-Successful Schools for Young Adults. Is Flexible - NELMS tailors the plan to individual school needs Provides for follow-up services
WHY NELMS? (continued) Seven Areas are analyzed: ● Relevant, standards-based curriculum ● Instructional strategies appropriate for young adolescents ● Opportunities for middle level professionals ● Organization of students and teachers ● Building governance ● School climate ● Parent and community involvement
The Process (continued) 5. NELMS created and distributed surveys to collect information Surveys were distributed to: Student Surveys: Grades 6-9 Faculty & Staff Surveys: Grades 6 – 8 (including support staff) Parent Surveys: Parents of all current middle school students The results of the surveys helped inform the assessment.
The Process (continued) 6. The Visiting Team members conducted a school visit on November 1, 2, & 3. During the visit the team: Toured school and talked to Student Council Representatives Visited all classrooms Interviewed staff Interviewed school committee Interviewed parents Interviewed administration Worked with steering committee Viewed learning products
The Process (continued) 7. The Visiting Team members created a comprehensive assessment report, which was shared with the steering team. This included results from the surveys and from the visit. 8. Results were shared with steering team who worked to analyze the data and to create a list of next steps.
Identified Strengths and Recommendations from the NELMS Team
Some of the Strengths Noted in The NELMS Assessment ● Curriculum meets high academic expectations ● Varied formative assessments ● Students are respectful and academically driven to succeed ● Teacher-student interactions are positive ● Facilities are bright and positive
Some of the Strengths Noted in The NELMS Assessment (continued) ● Active and positive PSO ● Exceptionally dedicated staff ● Highly qualified staff ● The NELMS visiting team praised the work of the steering committee
Recommendations from the NELMS Assessment The Steering Team organized the important recommendations into five categories: Communication Culture Curriculum / Assessment / Instruction Staff Development Other
Recommendations: Curriculum/Assessment/Inst . Investigate flexible scheduling models and planning time to promote and support initiatives (PBL, SEL, etc.) Revisit curriculum so that it fits the middle school model of student development (social emotional, physical and academic development of adolescents) Explore standards-based reporting of grades Continue to develop a more robust Tier II intervention strategy (with support from professional development)
Recommendations: Staff Development Develop highly effective instructional teams Develop interdisciplinary curricula and/or projects Investigate effective Advisory models for implementation Expand Co-teaching (professional development to support our co-teaching initiative)
Recommendations: Communication Showcase more of our Middle School achievements and identity Explore creative ways to conference with parents Identify further opportunities to bring parents and community into CMS
Recommendations: Culture CREATE MORE OF A “MIDDLE SCHOOL” IDENTITY Find more ways to celebrate students achievement (socially and academically) Promote social-emotional learning skills on the part of our students
Recommendations: Action Planning Team “There is a need for an Action Planning Team with broad-based representation comprised of faculty, staff, parents, students and community representatives. This group should analyze the NELMS report and last year’s work to create an action plan. This team should be an ongoing group, which meets regularly to help implement best middle school practices and to advocate for professional development that helps the middle school.”
NEXT STEPS
Next Steps Have faculty, parent and student conversations about the report to gain a better understanding of what is wanted/needed
Next Steps Develop larger Action Planning Team: Reach out beyond the school to involve SC member, parents and community in our action plan. With the larger committee, develop the plan with concrete info and realistic timeline and clearly articulated steps ■ Goal, Action Steps, Resources, Responsible Party, Timeline, School visits WORK WITH THE ACTION PLANNING TEAM TO CREATE A MIDDLE SCHOOL MISSION & VISION
Next Steps (continued) Present the agreed upon Action Plan to the School Committee and Faculty
THANK YOU! Thank you to the Steering Team, to the NELMS Visiting Team, to the Cohasset School Committee, to the CMS PSO and parents who were interviewed by the visiting team, and to the students, faculty and staff of Cohasset Middle School.
We Are CMS!
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