To:

Members, Board of Education

From:

Terry B. Grier, Ed.D.

Date:

November 30, 2007

RE:

Academic Improvement Update

At the beginning of this year the Instructional Improvement Officers, Dr. Eric Becoats and Dr. Gongshu Zhang identified 18 schools as priority schools most in need of improvement (see list at end of this memo).  In addition to the attached instructional improvement initiatives for all schools, we also identified what services would be provided to these priority schools “Above and Beyond” those normally provided to all schools (Above and Beyond services attached).   Every two weeks Dr. Becoats and I co-chair a regular cross-departmental team update from the Instructional Improvement Officers leading improvement services for these schools, to monitor progress and respond rapidly across departments to obstacles and needs for resources to continue making progress at these schools. 

The Instructional Improvement Officers requested and the cabinet supported minimizing meetings and other assignments involving them Tuesday through Thursday each week, to maximize their time in these schools to work with administrators and instructional leaders to improve instruction.  The Chiefs of other departments also committed to prioritize the services of their staff to these schools, which has resulted in a version of year-long Intervention Teams in each of these schools.  The elementary Instructional Improvement Officers organized cross-departmental teams from Curriculum and Organizational Development, Exceptional Children, Advanced Learners, English as a Second Language and Formative Assessment to prioritize in-school support services for these schools.  Middle School Instructional Improvement Officers requested that the two middle school math coaches hired this year by Curriculum and Organizational Development be “loaned” to them full-time for the balance of this year to concentrate services in their priority middle schools.  High School Instructional Improvement Officers frequently call on district staff from other departments to provide customized training and support to their priority schools in addition to the comprehensive school reform services (Talent Development, New Schools Project) that all of them receive except Northeast High School.

We have invited the principal and a teacher from three of these priority schools- Rankin Elementary School, Ferndale Middle School, and the Middle College at NC A&T, to share with you the challenges their schools face this year in improving instruction and student achievement, and how they have collaborated with and used district “Above and Beyond” services to support their improvement efforts. The 2007-8 School Improvement update from each of these schools is also attached as background for their presentation to you.

Attachment #1 - 2007-08 Improved Student Achievement Plan for Elementary, Middle and High Schools
Attachment #2 - Above and Beyond Services Provided to Priority Schools 2007-08 - Elementary
Attachment #3 - Sample - Rankin Elementary
Attachment #4 - Above and Beyond Services Provided to Priority Schools 2007-08 - Middle
Attachment #5 - Sample - Ferndale Middle
Attachment #6 - Above and Beyond Services Provided to Priority Schools 2007-08 - High
Attachment #7 - Sample - NC A&T Middle College High