http://modshare.local/middlestart/index.php/site/index/ en info@mod-lab.com Copyright 2008 2008-12-08T15:40:43-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_pso_bulletin_december_8_2008/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_pso_bulletin_december_8_2008/#When:15:40:43Z Read the highlights of the Learning & the Brain Conference on Nov. 21-23 in Boston, MA. Bulletin, AED PSO, AED SSO Principals 2008/2009 2008-12-08T15:40:43-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_pso_update_on_campaign_for_middle_school_success/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_pso_update_on_campaign_for_middle_school_success/#When:15:15:54Z 11/18/08 Phone call with Dolores Peterson, principal, MS 244 Patrick Montesano We reviewed school participation in the Campaign for Middle School Success, AED coaching, SSO network, and AED workshops and related activity. Ms. Peterson was pleased with the assistance AED provided for the school’s application for the CMSS planning grant, and with the winning of the grant. I suggested that she work with AED team to keep the CMSS planning aligned with the other work of the PSO and she acknowledged that that was her intention. Ms. Peterson noted that she finds the assistance and support from the AED team to be very strong this year—in network meetings, coaching, and professional development workshops. She said that it was especially important that this work is so closely aligned with her school’s own goals for professional development for teachers. The PD has been essential this year; there are many new teachers, and they need this support. Ms. Peterson also said that the leadership coaching focused on academic rigor has been strong and timely. She finds the services of Lucy West to be strong, although she added that if she were doing that work over again, she’d begin with an emphasis on English language arts rather than mathematics. She also suggested that it might be more efficient for principals and the AED team to take ideas from a consultant like West and bring those ideas to the school staff, rather than contract with the external consultant to follow up directly with the school people. She noted that the “early indicators/interventions” work is very good, aligned with her school’s needs and interests, and supported well by the AED staff. Peterson expressed interest in talking further about recruitment of other schools and principals for the PSO. She reaches out to other principals and is trying to engage them. We discussed how AED can be supportive of her and other principals who were conducting such outreach. We determined that principals could collect contact information for principals and other interested staff of other schools, forward their names and addresses to Aurelia and Calvin, and then AED would send the new people an AED PSO packet with a note referring to the original contact (e.g., Ms. Peterson or other PSO principal), and offering a follow-up conversation or visit. Bulletin, AED PSO, AED SSO Principals 2008/2009 2008-11-18T15:15:54-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/middle_start_in_dc/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/middle_start_in_dc/#When:15:18:41Z District of Columbia Public Schools has contracted with AED to assist 18 newly configured K-8 schools in strengthening their middle-grades programs, using Middle Start Principles and Practices and the practices of other AED schools such as those participating in the AED School Support Organization. Middle Start News, DC Middle Start 2008-11-10T15:18:41-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/early_indicators_project/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/early_indicators_project/#When:15:15:10Z Maud Abeel, director of our sixth-grade indicators/interventions project funded by JP Morgan Chase, and Patrick Montesano recently provided an update on the project to JPMC representative Gayle Jennings O’Byrne. They have been invited by JPMC to present ideas for expanding the project. Middle Start News, AED PSO, early indicators 2008-11-10T15:15:10-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/c/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/c/#When:15:05:05Z AED’s Patrick Montesano is on the citywide advisory committee for the new Campaign for Middle School Success, and will be attending its next meeting on Monday, November 10. Please let him know if you have any observations or questions about the CMSS so far, which you’d like him to raise in this or future meetings. Middle Start News, AED PSO 2008-11-10T15:05:05-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_pso_bulletin_november_7_2008/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_pso_bulletin_november_7_2008/#When:14:26:13Z To review the documents related to the Mathematics Teacher Transformation Institute (MTTI) see the October 24th Bulletin. Bulletin, AED PSO 2008-11-07T14:26:13-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/four_middle_schools_in_the_aed_pso_receive_a_nyc_doe_middle_schools_success/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/four_middle_schools_in_the_aed_pso_receive_a_nyc_doe_middle_schools_success/#When:22:36:17Z Grants will support these four schools in developing a comprehensive plan that draws upon the successful practices identified via our research and upon established and innovative practices and programs designed by each school. Utilizing the data underlying the school’s Progress Report, Periodic Assessment outcomes, and the recommendations in its most recent Quality Review, and working with each school’s Inquiry Team(s), School Support Organization and Comprehensive Educational Plan, School Leadership Teams are encouraged to create a coherent plan to meet the specific needs of their students and improve their performance significantly. To ensure that schools have the resources and time to carry out the thorough and in depth planning needed to create such a comprehensive plan, there are two phases to the grant process: Phase 1 – Planning Grants: These schools have been awarded participation in this planning phase which will last through early January. The goal of this planning phase is to provide schools with sufficient time to develop a robust plan for improving their students’ performance, and will be accompanied by supports outlined in subsequent sections of this application. All schools, including those not selected to receive a planning grant, may receive professional development support to help them develop comprehensive implementation plans for their schools. Phase 2 – Implementation Grants: After conducting extensive planning, schools selected for planning grants may submit an application for an implementation grant, due January 16, 2009. Please note that we do not expect that all schools selected for planning grants will receive implementation grants. However, all schools, including those not selected to receive an implementation grant, may receive professional development support to assist in implementation. Middle Start News, AED PSO, AED SSO Principals 2008/2009 2008-10-31T22:36:17-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_pso_bulletin_october_24_2008/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_pso_bulletin_october_24_2008/#When:19:30:54Z This bulletin includes descriptions of all professional development and upcoming dates. In addition, you’ll find: Flyer about Annual Fall Professional Development Conference for NYC School Librarians Flyer about Mathematics Teacher Transformation Institute (MTTI) Teacher/Coach Application (MTTI) Principal’s Commitment Sheet (MTTI) Bulletin, AED PSO 2008-10-24T19:30:54-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_middle_start_receives_a_usdoe_school_leadership_grant/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/aed_middle_start_receives_a_usdoe_school_leadership_grant/#When:22:16:57Z AED is pleased to announce that it is one of twenty-two recipients of this prestigious USDOE program that provides grants to support the development, enhancement, or expansion of innovative programs to recruit, train, and mentor principals (including assistant principals) for high-need LEAs. To read more about this USDOE grant, visit the website for this grant at the ed.gov School Leadership Program web page The Academy for Educational Development Middle School Leadership Program (AED MSLP) is designed to assist low-performing middle schools in the Bronx through the development of innovative programs to develop, train, and coach principals (including assistant principals) to serve in high-need urban middle schools. The Academy for Educational Development’s (AED) program of leadership development is aligned with and supportive of the New York City Department of Education’s Children First Initiative and will assist the department in its effort to ensure that every New York City public school is led by a leader with the skills, knowledge, and behaviors to continuously improve student learning. MSLP will address the critical need of improving Bronx middle schools by creating an aligned and interconnected program that will provide aspiring leaders, assistant principal, and principals with a strong foundation in adolescent development anchored by the five New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) School Leadership Competencies. Through the MSLP, we will implement the following: Recruitment and Training for Future Principals: We will create the AED Leadership Fellows Program, which will prepare experienced middle school assistant principals to be excellent principals for high-need urban middle schools. AED Leadership Fellows will receive training to ensure that they are grounded in the principles of Middle Start (AED’s research-based comprehensive middle-grades reform initiative) as well as in all five of the NYCDOE School Leadership Competencies. Professional Development for Current and New Principals: We will offer a comprehensive two-year program of support for participating middle school principals, including a Middle Start Study Institute, three semester-long institutes designed to support the five competencies, an annual leadership development institute with the Center for Creative Leadership, and an opportunity to be trained as a coach for new principals in the program. Assistant principals in participating middle schools will also participate in a two year Middle Start Study Institute and have the opportunity to attend two skill-development institutes around the areas of the five competencies each year. Described below are the long-term goals and intended outcomes for the proposed program: Goal 1: To recruit highly qualified experienced assistant principals to prepare for principalships in high-need urban middle schools. Outcome 1.1: A pool of approximately 50 highly trained assistant principals skilled in instructional and managerial leadership and knowledgeable about the principles of adolescent development will be prepared for placement in principal positions in high-need urban middle schools. Goal 2: To strengthen the abilities of principals and assistant principals to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of students in high-need urban middle schools. Outcome 2.1: A cadre of accomplished principals will have developed a full repertoire of coaching and facilitation skills to support their newly placed peers in promoting student outcomes and school success. Outcome 2.2: Participating principals and assistant principals will demonstrate gains in their knowledge and skills as a result of participation in ongoing, sustained professional development aligned with the NYCDOE School Leadership Competencies. Outcome 2.3: Participating school principals and assistant principals will demonstrate increased skills needed to address the academic, social, and emotional needs of students in high-need urban middle schools. Goal 3: To retain highly qualified leaders in high-need urban middle schools. Outcome 3.1: Decreased rate of principal turnover in high-need urban middle schools. Outcome 3.2: Participating assistant principals and principals are more engaged with and connected to the school community and will become increasingly able to manage their own individualized and ongoing professional development. Middle Start News, AED PSO, Middle School Leadership Project (MSLP), AED SSO Principals 2008/2009 2008-08-25T22:16:57-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/educations_difficult_stage/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/educations_difficult_stage/#When:21:05:14Z http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/issueoftheweek/20070604/200/2195 Read Gail Robinson’s article to learn how the New York City Department of Education has enlisted the Academy for Educational Development (and the Middle Start team) to help failing middle schools in the city and hear from Patrick Montesano, Director of Middle Start, on his thoughts of what is most important for middle grades reform. Middle Start News 2007-06-04T21:05:14-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/middle_school_task_force_hosts_staten_island_forum_on_student_supports_for_/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/middle_school_task_force_hosts_staten_island_forum_on_student_supports_for_/#When:21:07:56Z The New York City Council’s Middle School Task Force held the fourth in a series of public forums tonight at IS 49 Berta Dreyfus Intermediate School in Staten Island. Patrick Montesano, Director of Middle Start, participates as a member of the TaskForce that is chaired by NYU Professor Dr. Pedro Noguera and charged with developing a set of recommendations to improve academic achievement in New York City’s middle schools. STUDENT SUPPORTS FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Middle Start News 2007-05-01T21:07:56-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/middle_start_participates_in_the_new_york_city_councils_middle_school_task_/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/middle_start_participates_in_the_new_york_city_councils_middle_school_task_/#When:21:14:55Z In March, Speaker Christine C. Quinn kicked off the Council’s Middle School Task Force, which has been charged with developing a set of recommendations to improve academic achievement in New York City’s middle schools. Patrick Montesano, director of AED Middle Start and vice president and director of the AED Center for School and Community Services, was one of approximately 20 middle-grades leaders and advocates invited to join the task force. Members are working to develop a blueprint to reform and restructure the City’s middle school system. The task force began its work with a series of public meetings that were held in all five boroughs to gather information from parents, students, teachers, school administrators and advocates. In addition, the task force members have been visiting middle schools throughout the city and reviewing test scores, best practices, and recommendations from previous task forces. The task force is also considering the research and recommendations put forth by the NYC Coalition for Educational Justice (CEJ).,AED helped to inform CEJ’s January report-New York City’s Middle-Grade Schools: Platforms for Success or Pathways to Failure-and its subsequent “call to action.” Also being considered are issues outside of the classroom, such as parental involvement and connecting students to support services and enrichment programs. The Middle School Task Force has been meeting frequently throughout the spring and is scheduled to complete its work by the end of June. Given Middle Start’s long history of improving student achievement in the middle grades, one area that AED has taken the lead on is the shaping of formal recommendations on teaching and learning in middle-grades classrooms. View the press release (PDF) with more information on the Task Force. STUDENT SUPPORTS FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Middle Start News 2007-03-01T21:14:55-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/report_almost_half_citys_middle_schools_are_failing/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/report_almost_half_citys_middle_schools_are_failing/#When:21:41:12Z Patrick Montesano, Middle Start’s Director, shares his concerns in Sarah Garland’s article. Almost Half City’s Middle School’s Are Failing Middle Start News 2007-01-01T21:41:12-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/taking_middle_schoolers_out_of_the_middle/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/taking_middle_schoolers_out_of_the_middle/#When:21:22:38Z In her article highlighting the debate about middle schools, Elissa Gootman quotes Middle Start Director, Patrick Montesano’s thoughts on the matter. Taking Middle Schoolers Out of the Middle Middle Start News 2007-01-01T21:22:38-05:00 http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/partnerships_in_middle_grades_comprehensive_school_reform/ http://middlestart.org/middle-start-news/detail/partnerships_in_middle_grades_comprehensive_school_reform/#When:21:45:10Z Alexandra “Sandy” Weinbaum VP of AED and senior advisor of Middle Start co-authors a chapter in the book Examining Comprehensive School Reform, edited by Daniel K. Aladjem and Kathryn M. Borman and published by the Urban Institute Press. Examining Comprehensive School Reform Middle Start News 2006-12-01T21:45:10-05:00