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Purpose
To provide an update on the academic progress to date within select magnet schools impacted by the federally funded Magnet Schools Assistance Program (MSAP).
Background
In October 2007, Guilford County Schools received an $8.3 million MSAP grant that provides funding for emerging magnet programs at Andrews Aviation, Ferndale Middle Years International Baccalaureate (IB), Hairston Middle Years IB, Northwood Elementary Years IB, The Academy at Welborn, and Washington Montessori. Due to the mid-academic year funding the first year of the grant implementation did not show significant academic or recruitment growth. Four of the six schools (Washington, Ferndale, Hairston, and Northwood) implemented an external program and/or approach; therefore, they were required to have an external evaluation component that provides insight into the short-term academic progress.
Update
Positive measurable differences in terms of teacher professional development, curriculum revisions, recruitment of students, and student achievement can be documented in the second year of grant funding at Washington Montessori, Hairston IB, Northwood IB, and Ferndale IB.
Curriculum Changes
All four schools have implemented overall curricular changes. Both the International Baccalaureate Organization and American Montessori International require their partner schools to implement holistic curricular and pedagogical change. Specific curriculum changes for Washington Montessori include multiage grouped classrooms with a differentiated and hands-on curriculum. The IB participating schools have to show development of units of study that incorporate local, state, and federal requirements blended with IB curriculum expectations. Specific multi-discipline and multi-grade level units implemented at Ferndale include What is Leadership? and What is Cultural Awareness? Specific multi-discipline and multi-grade level units implemented at Hairston include Holidays Around the World and The Eradication of Poverty. Specific grade level units implemented at Northwood include Cultural Impact, Weather, In the Home, Balance in Motion, In the Marketplace, Sound, Communities, Soul, Cultural Impact, Rocks and Minerals, Ecosystems, and Problem Solving.
Student Data
Both attendance and enrollment have measurably improved since grant implementation. Immediate growth in student achievement has been seen as a result of curricular changes and teacher professional development supported by the MSAP. Examples include Northwood’s 9% improvement on the ecosystems benchmark, representing scores above the district level. Northwood’s 3rd quarter reading benchmarks in grades 3, 4, and 5, were above district level for the first time, and Washington Elementary’s data also shows growth in math and reading.
Ferndale and Hairston Middle Schools are also reflecting positive student achievement growth. Ferndale’s overall achievement on district-wide benchmarks is up a full 7% higher than last year’s scores. Ferndale’s attendance is at a record high of 95%, last seen 8 years ago. Additionally, Ferndale is predicted to make AYP and ABC targets for 2008-09. Hairston’s average benchmark scores are up more than 10% on most tests compared to last year’s totals. Additionally, Hairston is predicted to make AYP and ABC targets this year.
Teacher Data
To date, a majority of faculty members in these four schools has received intensive professional development aimed at changing the teachers’ instructional approaches. Specifically, Washington Montessori’s 12 PreK-3 faculty are participating in Montessori Teacher Certification: Early Childhood Certification and Elementary I Certification. Initiated in February of 2008, their professional development consists of Friday- Sunday training once a month, and two full week summer sessions for a total of 500 professional development hours completed by the group. Washington Montessori’s teachers will complete their training in December 2009.
All three IB schools have met the requirements of teacher professional development to move from Candidate to Prospective status. Each school has documented that their teachers have received 174 hours of IB professional development. A reduction of teacher requested transfers may indicate that the professional development and focus on student achievement improves employee fulfillment. In 2007-08, 18 teachers transferred from Hairston Middle School, whereas only eight have requested transfers this year. Ferndale experienced 29 staff departures from 2004-2008, however, only two teachers have tendered their resignations this year.
At the BOE meeting, Dr. Michelle Ungurait, Director of Magnet and Choice Programs, will present an academic update on the impact of the MSAP grant on GCS schools.
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