Identify the school-based RtI Leadership Team.

Identify the school-based RtI Leadership Team.

Principal: The Principal provides a common vision for the use of data-based decision-making, models the Problem Solving Process; supervises the development of a strong infrastructure for implementation of PS/RtI; ensures that the school-based team is implementing PS/RtI; conducts assessment of PS/RtI skills of school staff; ensures implementation of intervention support and documentation; develops a culture of expectation with the school staff for the implementation of PS/RtI school wide; ensures resources are assigned to those areas in most need; and communicates with parents regarding school-based PS/RtI plans and activities.

Assistant Principal/Curriculum: Assists Principal in providing a common vision for the use of data-based decision-making, assists in the development of a strong infrastructure of resources for the implementation of PS/RtI, further assists the principal in the assessment of PS/RtI skills, implementation of intervention support and documentation, professional learning, and communication with parents concerning PS/RtI plans and activities.

Selected General Education Teachers: Provides information about core instruction; participates in student data collection; delivers Tier 1 instruction/intervention; collaborates with other staff to implement Tier 2/3 interventions; and integrates Tier 1 materials/instruction with Tier 2/3 activities.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Teachers: Participates in student data collection, integrates core instructional activities/materials/ instruction in tiered interventions; collaborates with general education teachers.

Academic Intervention Facilitator: Develops, leads, and evaluates school core content standards/programs; identifies and analyzes existing literature on scientifically based curriculum/behavior assessment and intervention approaches. Identifies systematic patterns of student need while working with district personnel to identify appropriate, evidence-based intervention strategies; assists with whole school screening programs that provide early intervening services for children to be considered “at risk,” assists in the design and delivery of professional development; and provides support for assessment and implementation monitoring.

School Psychologist: Participates in collection, interpretation, and analysis of data; facilitates development of intervention plans; provides support for intervention fidelity and documentation; provides professional development and technical evaluation; assists in facilitation of data-based decision making activities.

PS/RtI Behavior Representative (PBS): Participates in collection, interpretation, and analysis of data; facilitates development for behavior concerns; assists in facilitation of data-based decision making activities.

Speech Language Pathologist: Educates the team in the role language plays in curriculum assessment and instruction, as a basis for appropriate program design; assists in the selection of screening measures; and helps identify systematic patterns of student need with respect to language skills.

Guidance Counselor: Provides quality services and expertise on issues ranging from program design to assessment intervention with individual students. Communicates with child-serving community agencies to support the students’ academic, emotional, behavioral, and social issues.

Technology Specialist: Develops or brokers technology necessary to manage and display data, provides professional development and technical support to teachers and staff regarding data management and graphic display.

Describe how the school-based RtI Leadership Team functions (e.g. meeting processes and roles/functions).

The PS/RtI Leadership Team will focus meetings on how to improve school/teacher effectiveness and student achievement using the Problem Solving Model.

The PS/RtI Leadership Team will meet at least once per month (or as needed) to engage in the following activities:

• Review school-wide, grade level, and teacher data to problem solve needed interventions on a systemic level and identify students meeting/exceeding benchmarks as well as those at moderate or high risk for not meeting benchmarks. This will be done at least three times per year (or as needed) if new data is available.
• Help referring teachers design feasible strategies and interventions for struggling students by collaborating regularly, problem solving, sharing effective practices, evaluating implementation, assist in making decisions for school, teacher, and student improvement.
• Facilitate the process of building consensus, increasing infrastructure, and making decisions about implementation.
• Focus on improving student achievement outcomes with evidence based interventions implemented with fidelity and frequent progress monitoring.
• Intervention teams will foster a sense of collegiality and mutual support among the staff, promote the use of evidence-based interventions, and support teachers in carrying out intervention plans

Describe the role of the school-based RtI Leadership Team in the development and implementation of the school improvement plan

The PS/RtI Leadership Team met with the School Advisory Council (SAC) and principal to help develop the School Improvement Plan (SIP). The team provided data on: Tier 1, 2, and 3 targets; academic and social/emotional areas that needed to be addressed; helped set clear expectations for instruction (Rigor, Relevance, Relationships); facilitated the development of a systemic approach to teaching (Gradual Release, Essential Questions, Activating Strategies, Teaching Strategies, Extending, Refining, and Summarizing); and aligned processes and procedures.

Describe the data management system used to summarize tiered data.

Describe the data management system used to summarize tiered data.

Baseline data is gathered through August and September. FAIR data is processed through the Progress Monitoring and Reporting Network (PMRN). Third through Tenth Grade instructional data is gathered from the previous year’s FCAT scores.

Progress Monitoring data is gathered mid-year and toward the end of the year. FAIR data is processed twice more through the PMRN. Progress Monitoring data is collected as needed for classroom and/or student progress. This information may be obtained by probes, Quick Reads, Fluency checks, etc.

Diagnostic Assessment data is gathered through the FAIR, ERDA, and DAR.

End of Year data is gathered through FAIR, SAT 10, FCAT, and SBAR.

Data is discussed and analyzed at least monthly at the PS/RtI Leadership Team Meetings.

Describe the plan to train staff on RtI.

Professional learning will be provided during teacher planning, and additional sessions will occur throughout the school year. The PS/RtI Overview will be provided in mid-August/September. The District has five other mini-modules that will be provided throughout the year.

The PS/RtI Leadership Team will evaluate additional staff Professional Learning needs during the monthly PS/RtI Leadership Team meetings.

Data Disaggregation 2008-2009 FCAT Data

What strengths and weaknesses were identified in the 2009 data by grade level, subject area, and clusters/strands?

The 2008/2009 FCAT results indicated that only 39% of our 8 grade students met high standards (3 or higher) in science this is an area that we plan to place much more emphasis on standards and specific strands tested heavily on FCAT.
FCAT data indicated that our 6th grade math students did not make expected gains. This is an area that will be reviewed as to our practice in placing students in intensive math classes.

Instructional Calendar Development

What is the process for developing, implementing, and monitoring an Instructional Focus Calendar for reading, writing, mathematics, and science?

As an initial step towards implementing FCIM the school will focus on the area of reading. The district has created reading curriculum maps that are accompanied by a course timeline. The course timeline is the starting point for each school’s Instructional Focus Calendar. The district has also developed a timeline for Reading Comprehension Mini-Lessons which will serve as the school’s Reading Instructional Focus calendar. The implementation of the reading mini-lessons will be monitored by the AIF, school leadership team, and administration. Monthly PLC (grade level/department/team) meetings will be held to adjust the pacing of the mini-lessons.

Which instructional Benchmarks will be given priority focus, based on need, for each content area (reading, writing, mathematics, and science)?

Science-
Strand A- The Nature of Matter, Strand B- Energy, Strand C- Force and Motion, Strand D-Processes that shape the Earth, Strand F- Processes of life, Strand G- How living things interact with their environment, and Strand H- The nature of science.
Math-
6th grade Big Idea 1: Develop an understanding of and fluency with multiplication and division of fractions and decimals. Big Idea 2: Connect ratio and rate to multiplication and division. Big Idea 3: Write, interpret, and use mathematical expressions and equations. 7th grade Big Idea 1: Develop an understanding of and apply proportionality, including similarity. Big Idea 2:devlop an understanding of and use formulas to determine surface areas and volumes of three-dimensional shapes. Big Idea 3: Develop an understanding of operations on all rational numbers and solving linear equations. 8th grade Big Idea 1: Analyze and represent linear functions and solve linear equations and systems of linear equations. Big Idea 2: Analyze two- and three- dimensional figures by using distance and angle. Big Idea 3: Analyze and summarize data sets.
Reading-
All grades: Cluster 1- Words and Phrases in Context, Cluster 2- Main Idea, Plot, and Purpose,Cluster3- Comparisons and Cause/Effect, Cluster 4- Reference and Research.

What is the process to ensure instruction is based on individual students’ needs, as opposed to the master schedule?

Disaggregation of FCAT data and monthly data PLSs (grade level/department/team) will use the data from FAIR and other progress monitoring tools to identify student needs and provide appropriate interventions.

How does the school incorporate applied and integrated courses to help students see the relationships between subjects and relevance to their future?

Teachers take an approach to learning which focuses on motivating and challenging students to connect what they learn with the world they experience and with what interests them. We attempt to make the academic content more relevant, participatory and concrete. If this takes place, students learn more effectively, retain more, and apply learning to their lives. This type of teaching uses hands-on innovative teaching methods. Teachers help students to understand the reasons for studying their subject matter and take advantage of students’ natural learning inclinations and problem-solving approaches they will be able to use well beyond the classroom.
This approach helps students to:
• Prepare for a challenging workplace
• Develop the essential skills for success
• Include rigor/relevance/relationships in education
• Integrate career clusters knowledge, skills and academics
• Experience learning in context

How does the school incorporate students’ academic and career planning, as well as promote student course selections, so that students’ course of study is personally meaningful?

Students are able to make elective course selections based on their interests, talents, and career goals. Career education is incorporated into selected academic courses and all elective courses. Courses available are in the following topics: Art, Agriculture, Business / Computer Education, Drama, Chorus, Piano, Strings, Instrumental Music, Television Productions, Creative Writing, Media Productions and Physical Education.

Direct the Instructional Focus

How are lesson plans and instructional delivery aligned across grade levels and subject areas?

Aligned and prioritized curriculum maps and time lines are used in all core areas. Teachers implement the EATS model for planning and delivery of core curriculum which includes essential questions, activating strategies, high-yield teaching strategies, summarizing and then re-teaching as necessary. The district-wide Monthly Reading Comprehension Focus will be used as the basis of the reading mini-lessons.

How are instructional focus lessons developed and delivered?

Model instructional focus lessons were developed by master teachers and are posted within the district curriculum maps for all to use for core instruction. Collaborative PLCs will use the EATS model for creating additional acquisition lessons. Best practices, coaching and support for using Learning Focused Strategies will be provided by the principal, assistant principal for curriculum, and leadership team. Reading comprehension mini-lessons have been written for grades 3-10. Each grade level/department/team will schedule the pacing of the mini-lessons as well as the time of delivery during the monthly PLCs dealing with the curriculum and instruction. The mini-lessons are organized by instructional day as well as strategy.

How will instructional focus lessons be revised and monitored?

Vertical teams and articulation centered on high quality student work and the results of mini-assessments will guide further revisions or refinements of the instructional focus lessons. Classroom walk-throughs will be used to monitor the quality and effectiveness of the lessons.

Assessment

Describe the types of ongoing formative assessments to be used during the school year to measure student progress in core, supplemental, and intensive instruction/intervention.

FAIR, READ 180, Fast Forward, Compass Odyssey, AR will be sources of ongoing formative assessments and data.

How are assessments used to identify students reaching mastery and those not reaching mastery?

Achievement thresholds will be set for each grade level and subject area. Students not reaching the threshold will be targeted for additional support as well as monitoring. Formative benchmark assessments are consistently used: school-wide and in all core areas. They are given frequently and are used for monitoring student progress, as well as for planning and instruction.

Maintenance

How is ongoing assessment and maintenance of Benchmark mastery for each grade level and content area built into the Instructional Focus Calendar?

Dates for ongoing assessments and spiraled review are built into the instructional focus calendar at the conclusion of each month’s comprehension focus. Additional learning opportunities will be offered to struggling students.

Describe the process and schedule for teams to review progress monitoring data (summative and mini assessments) to identify the required instructional modifications that are needed to increase student achievement.

PLCs (grade level/department/team) will meet monthly to review the most current progress monitoring data and in turn make instructional recommendations to include both interventions as well as enrichment strategies for subgroups of students, as well as individual students.

Monitoring

Describe the Principal’s and Leadership Team’s roles as instructional leaders and how they will be continuously involved in the teaching and learning process.

The administrators and the leadership team facilitate PLCs with staff members/teams which address data, student work, instruction and curriculum. The administrators and the leadership team schedule coaching and monitoring visits to classrooms on a regular basis.

Supplemental and Intensive Instruction/Interventions

Identify the core, supplemental, and intensive instruction and interventions.

At the start of the 2009-2010 school year all staff will analyze the FCAT data from the prior year. Students who score Level 3-4 will be placed in regular classes. Students whom score Level 1 or Level 2 will be places in intensive classes (math) or supplemental (reading block) classes. Throughout the school year various assessments should help us evaluate the progress of these students in the appropriate placement.

How are supplemental and intensive instruction/interventions and tutorials structured to re-teach non-mastered target areas?

Multiple opportunities for researched based extended learning activities including: extended time for math and/or reading, extended day, summer enrichment, accelerating and previewing, as well as re-teaching.

How does the school identify staff’s professional development needs to improve their instructional strategies?

The Learning Focused Implementation Tool will be administered at the start of the 2009-2010 school year to help identify areas of need for professional development.

Which students will be targeted for supplemental and intensive instruction/interventions?

Any student scoring a Level 1 or 2 on FCAT; a student with an ASP;ELL , SWD and any other student who is struggling with the core instruction.

How will the effectiveness of the interventions be measured throughout the year?

Ongoing progress monitoring, mini-assessments, formative assessments, student data charts, and FAIR.

Enrichment

Describe alternative instructional delivery methods to support acceleration and enrichment activities.

Level 1 & 2 students in reading receive a 90 minute block of intensive instruction, Level 1 & 2 students in math receive instruction in an intensive class which will focus on remediating and extending their deficient math skills. Additionally, ESOL students receive assistance with reading and writing and our ESE students are scheduled into self-contained, inclusion, support facilitation or consult based on their IEP’s.

Describe how students are identified for enrichment strategies.

Level 1 & 2 students in reading receive a 90 minute block of intensive instruction, Level 1 & 2 students in math receive instruction in an intensive class which will focus on remediating and extending their deficient math skills. Additionally, ESOL students receive assistance with reading and writing and our ESE students are scheduled into self-contained, inclusion, support facilitation or consult based on their IEP’s.