School Improvement Plan the Vision

¶ … School Improvement Plan

The vision or mission of "New River Middle School of Marine Science is to use science as a vehicle through which the entire school program will be enhanced while encouraging the total development of every student's potential through specialized and technologically-driven instruction." This is in collaboration with the greater goal of the Florida Board of Education for highest student achievement possible. "New River Middle is the only school in Broward County located on waterfront property. The integration of the marine science magnet program in every class allows each student the opportunity to learn marine science concepts." (All information from school improvement plan can be found at (http://www.browardschools.com/schoolsplash1/schoolimprovement/0881.pdf)

The school has developed a set of curricular goals that integrate science as a basis for school achievement through project-based learning that enhances interest and achievement in reading, math and science. (Grant & Branch, 2005, p. 65) (Evensen & Hmelo, 2000, p. 6) Collectively the three variables, shared vision, instructional objectives and curricular goals are well developed in this improvement plan through teacher and paraprofessional training (Harwell, 2000, p. 7), curriculum planning (Joseph, Bravmann, Windschitl, Mikel & Green, 2000, p. 178), and student and parent involvement in goals and objectives (Devlin-Scherer & Devlin-Scherer, 1994, p. 235).

1. Teachers, especially first year teachers, will be trained in strategies that enhance higher order thinking and enable students to become independent readers. 8/12/2004 Reading Coach $1,000 for materials and supplies

Title I, Acct.) Ongoing

2.Administer survey to teachers to identify which teachers need staff development in critical content in reading and reading strategies and to determine school-wide gaps in staff development and use of strategies. Staff development training will be provided according to faculty needs. 8/12/2004 Dept. Chairs, Reading Coach, Asst. Principals 1000 for subs (Teacher training) Ongoing

3. Training for use of Instructional Focus Calendar for benchmarks on a monthly basis. Administration will monitor implementation of the Focus

Calendar in each of the classrooms and help determine, along with the leadership team, the focus according to the school's data 8/13/2004 Administration $1,250 for printing of materials/transparencies (General budget) Monthly

4. All students will receive instruction either through placement in a reading class at the appropriate level (Wilson, Rewards, READ XL, 5. Inclusion, Advanced, & Developmental) or through incorporating content area reading for gifted and magnet classes. 8/16/2004 Classroom Teachers None Ongoing

6.Students whose FCAT reading scores are in the lowest 25% will be scheduled into the technology assisted learning center as a second reading class and will also receive additional learning strategies in all curriculum classes to improve annual learning gains. 8/16/2004 Classroom Teachers, AP's, None

Ongoing

7. Selected ESE and LEP students will be provided with a learning strategies class. 8/16/2004 ESE Specialist None Ongoing

8. All Level 1 & 2 students will be placed in appropriate reading classes. 8/16/2004 Scheduling Committee District will provide for the cost of testing. Ongoing 9. Students will be provided with vocabulary, reading comprehension skills and strategies, test taking strategies through regular class instruction, enhancement through modeling by the Reading Coach, class time in the technology assisted learning center, Accelerated Reader, and FCAT prep materials. 8/18/2004 Classroom Teachers, Reading Coach $4,000 for materials, software, and incentives. (PSTF, Title I, Acct.) Ongoing

10. All students will be encouraged to participate in after school tutoring, Saturday tutoring, family nights, FCAT Camp, media center reading group, and both school and county academic competitions. 8/18/2004 Classroom Teachers, Guidance, Administrators, Media Specialist $12,000 for materials, salaries, & incentives (Title I, Acct, PSTF) Ongoing

11. Students will be provided the opportunity to utilize the media center for reading and technology before and after school. 8/23/2004 Media Specialist None

Daily

12. Students will receive curriculum assistance using technology/computers in reading instruction. 8/30/2004 Technology Sp., Media Sp., Classroom Teachers

500 materials & supplies (Title I) Daily

13.Daily school-wide Go STIR Crazy (SSR program) and Word of the Day.

Alignment of these three factors, shared vision, curricular goals and instructional objectives is clear through this collaborative plan, as all curriculum and human resources issues are multifaceted and the whole of the school is involved in meeting goals that will create a standard for the realization of the shared vision.

To achieve these goals within the specialized environment of this school the school has set 6 definitive outcomes goals to prove the success of the plan.

1. By June 2005, 60% of students in grades 6-8 meeting DOE Accountability Rule will score Level 3 and above on the FCAT Reading Test.