The Rockwood School District Visit

1. 1 The Rockwood School District Visit Reading Intervention Program Tuesday, October 25, 2005

2. 2 Visiting Team to Rockwood, MO Jeffrey Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services DeVeria Gore, Reading Coordinator Karen Thompson, Director of Curriculum and Staff Development Angelina Hopkins, Minority Achievement Supervisor Liz Beckhouse, Elementary School Principal Byron Bishop, Middle School Principal Lynda Byrd-Poller, Middle School Principal

3. 3 Purpose of Visit: To gain an understanding of the Rockwood School District Reading Intervention Program To learn about strategies and/or organizational components used by Rockwood that may be used to augment the WJCC Reading Program

4. 4 Academic Services Work Agenda: Programmatic Focus for the visit What is the framework for the program? What are the major components? How are students identified? What diagnostic instruments are used? How much time is devoted to reading intervention strategies?

5. 5 Academic Services Work Agenda: Programmatic Focus for the visit Who provides the interventions? What staff development training has been provided? How often do you assess students and what instruments do you use? How are parents involved in the reading intervention program?

6. 6 Academic Services Work Agenda: Human Resources Focus for the visit What human resources were added to implement the Rockwood Program? What is the ratio of staff: students at each level? Were job descriptions for any existing staff revised? What staff development/training was done prior to and following initial implementation?

7. 7 Academic Services Work Agenda: Budget Focus for the visit What is the local district�s financial commitment? Were additional funds budgeted for the Reading Intervention Program? What state/federal funding is utilized in the Reading Intervention program?

8. 8 Itinerary: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 7:45 � 8:30 a.m.-- Elementary Overview� Tamara Rhomberg, Coordinator of K-5 Reading Intervention 9:00 � 11:00� Classroom Observations, Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3 classrooms at Kellison Elementary School 11:30 � 1:00 p.m. -- Travel and Working Lunch with Rockwood administrators 1:00 � 1:45 p.m. --Secondary Overview � Kathy Ryan, Coordinator of K-12 Language Arts and Secondary Reading Intervention

9. 9 Itinerary: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 2:00 � 2:30 p.m. Classroom Observation at Rockwood South Middle School 2:00- 3:00 p.m. � Meeting of WJCC Supervisor of Minority Achievement with Rockwood Director of Student Achievement 2:45 � 6:30 p.m. � Team work session

10. 10 School District Profiles County population: Rockwood: 111,000 WJCC: 66,000 Tax Base: Missouri school divisions are fiscally independent; Schools may levy taxes directly School population: Rockwood: 21,990 WJCC: 9,820

11. 11 School District Profiles Subgroup populations: Rockwood (2003 data from School Matters. com) Caucasian � 84% African American � 12% Low SES � 13% WJCC Caucasian � 71.3% African American �21.5% Other � 7.2% Low SES � 21.3%

12. 12 School District Academic Indicators Reading Achievement� Grade 3 Communication Arts- Rockwood (Missouri Assessment Program) 57% Proficient or Advanced�Rockwood 35.1% Proficient or Advanced�State of Missouri Reading � WJCC (Standards of Learning) 74%(3rd) and 89% (5th) Pass and Pass Advanced � WJCC 77% and 85% Pass and Pass Advanced � State of Virginia

13. 13 School District Academic Indicators Reading Achievement� Grade 7/8 Communication Arts- Rockwood, Grade 7 52% Proficient or Advanced�Rockwood 32.5% Proficient or Advanced�State of Missouri Reading � WJCC, Grade 8 80% Pass and Pass Advanced � WJCC 72% Pass and Pass Advanced � State of Virginia

14. 14 School District Academic Indicators Reading Achievement� Grade 11 Communication Arts- Rockwood, Grade 11 37% Proficient or Advanced�Rockwood 22.9 % Proficient or Advanced�State of Missouri Reading � WJCC, Grade 11 91% Pass or Pass Advanced -- WJCC 89% Pass or Pass Advanced � State of Virginia

15. 15 School District Academic Indicators SAT Scores Rockwood (2004) � 591 Verbal, 593 Math Missouri (2004) � 587 Verbal, 585 Math WJCC (2005) � 526 Verbal, 520 Math Virginia (2005) � 516 Verbal, 514 Math National (2004) � 508 Verbal, 520 Math National Board Certified Teachers Rockwood � 5 WJCC � 11

16. 16 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Reading Intervention Framework--Rockwood Stage 1 Students at or below 10th percentile Ratio of 1:2 (Kg. and 1st) and 1:6 (2nd-5th) Taught by certified Reading Specialists and Reading Intervention Teachers 30 (Grades K-1) to 60 minutes (Grades 2-5) supplemental instruction daily

17. 17 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Reading Intervention Framework-Rockwood Stage 2 Students in11th to 35th percentile Ratio of 1:6 Taught by certified Reading Specialist Thirty minute supplemental instruction daily

18. 18 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Reading Intervention Framework-Rockwood Stage 3 Students in the 35th to 49th percentile Ratio of 1:6 Taught by certified Reading Specialist or certified elementary teacher with reading background Thirty minute supplemental instruction 4-5 days per week

19. 19 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Reading Intervention Framework � WJCC 1st Grade � Reading Recovery Students in bottom quartile 1:1 ratio Taught by certified Reading Recovery teachers 30 minutes supplemental instruction daily

20. 20 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Reading Intervention Framework � WJCC 1st Grade � Literacy Groups Students in bottom two quartiles (preference given to lowest quartile) 1:6 ratio Taught by certified Reading Recovery teachers 30 minutes supplemental instruction daily

21. 21 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Reading Intervention Framework � WJCC Grades 2-5 Individual or small group intervention Ratios of 1:1 to 1:6 Taught by certified Reading Specialist or Student Support Teacher (trained in Primary Literacy) Scheduled time frames vary

22. 22 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Diagnostic Instruments � K-1 Rockwood Rockwood Comprehension Test Alphabet recognition Marie Clay�s Dictated Sentences Phonemic Awareness Measures WJCC Marie Clay Survey (complete battery) (Grades K-1) Wright Group Literacy Assessments (Grades K-1) Read and Retells

23. 23 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Diagnostic Instruments � 2-5 Rockwood Stanford 10 Teacher referral STAR test Gates-MacGinitie WJCC Wright Group Assessments (Grade 2) Read and Retells WJCC Literacy Assessments (Grades 3-5) Cloze Tests

24. 24 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Reading Intervention Curriculum and Instructional Delivery Rockwood Balanced Literacy focused on reading and writing interventions Curriculum based on modified Reading Recovery Strategy-driven WJCC Balanced Literacy focused on reading and writing Interventions Reading Recovery (1st grade) Strategy-driven

25. 25 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Accountability Rockwood Quarterly Benchmark Test State Assessments AYP Results WJCC WJCC Literacy Tests every nine weeks State Assessments AYP Results

26. 26 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Staff Development Rockwood All Elementary Reading Intervention Teachers are trained on the instructional frameworks which were developed for each stage Monthly staff development for elementary Reading Intervention teachers during contract day

27. 27 Programmatic Focus- Elementary Staff Development WJCC Reading Recovery training Primary Literacy training All Student Support Staff Reading Specialists who are not formally trained in Reading Recovery Selected classroom teachers (1st and 2nd grade, Special Education)

28. 28 Programmatic Focus- Middle School Target populations Rockwood �Qualifiers� � Students in 1st-25th percentile �At Risk� � Students in 26th � 42nd percentile WJCC At Risk � Students failing the Reading SOL (less than a score of 400) and students below grade level

29. 29 Programmatic Focus- Middle School Identification Criteria Rockwood DRP Other standardized measures (including STAR) �Qualifiers� are mandated by School Board to take the Reading Intervention class �At risk� students are enrolled based on DRP as space allows WJCC STAR Standardized test measures Teachers recommendation Grades

30. 30 Programmatic Focus- Middle School Staffing Rockwood Language Arts Teachers Ratio 1:15 Two English teachers per team Additional 18 FTEs were hired for secondary Reading Intervention WJCC One Reading Specialist per middle school One SOL Support Teacher per middle school Teacher: student ratios vary

31. 31 Programmatic Focus- Middle School Curriculum and Instructional Delivery Rockwood Intervention Class Focuses on reading and writing Scheduled as a student�s English class Ratio 1:15 in that class Delivered by Language Arts teachers Regular Language Arts class has a 90 minute block daily

32. 32 Programmatic Focus- Middle School Curriculum and Instructional Delivery WJCC Focuses on reading and writing Reading Specialists provide intervention on the �Wheel� or through pull-out sessions Regular Language Arts Class has a 45 � 50 minute block daily During testing windows, most Reading Specialists are not available for direct instruction

33. 33 Programmatic Focus- Middle School Assessments Rockwood DRP � August and February STAR � September, December and May WJCC Standardized test measures STAR � beginning and end of year

34. 34 Programmatic Focus- Middle School Staff Development Rockwood Offered monthly Marzano strategies Conferencing during SSR WJCC CARS (Creating Active Readers) Reading Workshop Marzano strategies Integrating Literacy and Technology in the Classroom

35. 35 Programmatic Focus- High School Rockwood Reading Intervention in 9th and 10th grades only (Missouri state testing is not a factor for graduation) At risk students are scheduled for a double block of English and receive one English and one elective credit Classes are team-taught by two English teachers (2:25) Staff development scheduled three times per year

36. 36 Programmatic Focus- High School WJCC One Reading Specialist half-time at each high school Present course (Lifetime Literacy) focused on seniors at risk for not graduating Class scheduled for one block at each high school Focus on reading and writing strategies

37. 37 Human Resources Focus Staffing-- Rockwood Elementary Additional Reading Intervention staff hired for every school Staff assigned annually based on need Middle School- English class with 1:15 ratio High School � Team taught class for two blocks with ratio of 2:25 18 additional FTE hired for secondary program (translated for student population = 8 for WJCC)

38. 38 Human Resource Focus Staffing-WJCC Elementary One Reading Specialist per building (who also handles testing) Two Reading Recovery teachers per building who serve 1st grade only One or two Student Support teachers per building who serve K-5

39. 39 Human Resource Focus Staffing - WJCC Secondary Middle School�one Reading Specialist and one SOL Support teacher per building High School � � time Reading Specialist per building

40. 40 Budget Focus Rockwood $2 million cost for elementary program $457,000 offset by Title I funds 18 FTE hired for secondary program -- $841,500 plus benefits (based on average salary of $46,753 in �04-�05)

41. 41 Budget Focus WJCC Additional budget needs will be identified during the future planning process

42. 42 2005-2006 Future Work Agenda Reading Renewal Propose full-time position for Reading Coordinator Propose releasing Reading Specialists from testing responsibilities Review and redefine the role of present Reading Specialists to include more direct instruction to students

43. 43 2005-2006 Future Work Agenda Reading Renewal Define 2006-2007 role of Student Support teachers/ SOL Resource teachers Investigate Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS) Grades 6-12 English Textbook Adoption

44. 44 2005-2006 Future Work Agenda Reading Renewal Establish 90 minute block for literacy instruction Middle School Scheduling Committee will investigate revisions to schedule To accommodate ILA block and reading intervention To provide reading support for identified students

45. 45 2006-2007 Future Work Agenda Reading Renewal Release Reading Coordinator from all responsibilities other than Reading/Language Arts Release Reading Specialists from testing responsibilities

46. 46 2006-2007 Future Work Agenda �Elements of Reading Renewal Plan Establish framework for Reading Intervention Determine levels of intervention (i.e. Stages 1,2 and 3) Develop intervention-level curriculum frameworks Identify and select additional diagnostic instrument(s) to be used division-wide

47. 47 2006-2007 Future Work Agenda �Elements of Reading Renewal Plan Define criteria for enrollment and exit from Reading Intervention Program. (i.e. Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3) Establish procedures to monitor reading intervention Continue development of strategy-based literacy staff development plan Determine ongoing assessments to monitor student progress

48. 48 2006-2007 Future Work Agenda �Elements of Reading Renewal Plan Examine the equitable distribution of human resources (i.e. Number of Reading Intervention staff per building) Identify additional Reading staff development as part of Reading Intervention plan Utilize benchmark tests when funded

49. 49 Consider the impact of core class size Rockwood (official enrollment 9/04) K-5 � 1:21 6-8 � 1: 23 9-12 �1: 22 WJCC (Staffing guidelines) K-2 � 1: 20 3-12 � 1: 25 Algebra I and English 9 � 1:20 Additional Considerations for Next Steps

50. 50 Literacy Instruction Beyond the School Day Use latest reading achievement data to design a summer school reading program In collaboration with Minority Achievement Supervisor, develop framework for After School Intervention program

51. 51 Summary of the Work Ahead Review our Reading Intervention Focus Organization Intensity Resources It�s not about the instruction but the structures and the levels of intervention beyond first grade.

52. 52 Building on the Strengths!