June 23, 2011Session 3 – Case Study: Closing the Achievement Gap in a High Need School

Module 1 – How can I use the TfSA Framework to help me close the achievement gap in a “high need” school?

Do Now (7 min) – Refer to your ISG running record and think about the information given during the opening ceremony on the achievement gap.

Answer the two prompts on Handout 1.3.1

Objectives•Identify causes of the achievement gap.•Evaluate solutions to three common challenges found in schools where an achievement gap exists. •Analyze ways in which a protocol can help unpack issues presented in case studies and identify possible solutions.

Agenda10 min – Do Now 5 min – Announcements 30 min – Activity One – Unpacking the Case Study30 min – Activity Two – Analyzing the Case Study and its Protocol 15 min – Activity Three – Debriefing the Routine 15 min – Closing

ANNOUNCEMENTS Field Training Workshop will take place in the

regular SAF session room on Monday.

Next week for Module 2, Session 2 and 3 will be switched. Session 2 (Special Education Panel & Case Study) will

take place on Wednesday. Session 3 – What is a disability? will be covered on

Tuesday. Submit 2-3 Questions to me by Tuesday morning,

June 28th.

Fill out the survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s/SAF_feedback_Week1

CASE STUDY Each module (except 6) will be framed by a

case study Purpose:

Examine a problem or situation from a particular viewpoint or many viewpoints

Provide an opportunity to solve the problem using personal experience.

No right or wrong answer – designed to be from multiple viewpoints

Use to frame the essential question: How can I use the TfSA Framework to help me

close the achievement gap in a “high need” school?

CASE STUDY PROTOCOL Each case study is accompanied by a protocol

which is used to help analyze it. Create structure to help process information Forum for everyone to participate and be heard

equally.

Follows a very specific guideline When you use a repeating activity, you should invest

a good amount of time at the beginning to set rules and expectations.

Do not go onto the next step until time is called. Use a timer to show the students are you keeping

time.

ACTIVITY ONE – UNPACKING THE CASE STUDY

Looking at the data in Handout 1.3.2 Look at the State Accountability Report Card

Sum it up: This school represents the type of school many of you might teach in because it’s a high needs school.

Many ELLs Class size is large Student behavior is an issue Making small gains, but Hispanic and African

American students are scoring the lowest Consequence: School did not meet the minimum

level of improvement.

ACTIVITY TWO – ANALYZING THE CASE STUDY AND ITS PROTOCOL

We looked at the report card to get a view of what’s happening in the school. Now, how does this information affect Mr. Park?

Part One - Review the case study and identify the challenges that are presented in the case study.

Handout 1.3.3 outlines the 3 challenges Review the case study and add any challenges

on handout.

Part Two – Go through the steps in the protocol.

PART THREE

Share out the challenge and solution

Each group will chart their answers for steps 5-7.

Handout 1.3.5

Gallery Walk

Why is this handout effective?

How can we prevent slackers that are not filling out the handout?

How can we improve the Case Study Protocol?

GROUP WORK

Might would you consider as a teacher when creating groups for cooperative learning?

Skill level Assigning roles Behavior issues

DISPLAYING GROUPS

DISPLAYING GROUPS

BIG GOALS!! Create Big class goals with your students to provide

motivation. Handout 1.1.6 gives guidance for creating Big Goals.

Display your Big Goal prominently in the class so that you can refer to it on a regular basis

Especially if a student is not adhering to classroom rules/group norms.

Individual goals can meet specific needs of students. Differentiate their goals Use Annual or Short Term goals from their IEP

My Big Goal: Fellow Preparedness!

COLLABORATION WITH OTHER ADULTS

What other adults might be present in the classroom besides you?

Paraprofessional – what is their role? What should it be? What is the reality? What challenges will you face as a teacher and

how can you deal with it?

ESL/Related Service Push-in teachers

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO COVER IN SAF SESSIONS?

How do you reconcile “teaching to the test” with teaching what you think is important?

Classroom management strategies for misbehavior (!!!) Co-teaching experience The IEP!! First week of school Differentiating lessons and effectively engaging

students with disabilities Engaging students in math Time management The Special Ed stigma Being an authority figure as a recent grad Lesson planning Tried and true practical methods!

CLOSING Take Away Messages

The achievement gap is a combination of many factors that exist in schools.

Your number one priority as a teacher is to increase student achievement and close the achievement gap.

In order to close the gap, teachers must first understand why the gap is present and then act on solutions to the problems that cause it.

What are some obstacles to closing the achievement gap? What is your role in closing the achievement gap?

What competencies/PVs/HITs did we cover during our SAF session today? Much as you would ask your students “What did we learn today? And

how does it tie into our Big Goal?”

By Monday: Complete the survey By Tuesday: Submit questions for the panel via email Work Product: Due on Tuesday by 4pm on myNYCTF