Talent Development Middle Grades Program

Comprehensive and Comprehensive and customized solutions customized solutions

for middle grades for middle grades reformreform

Talent Development Middle Grades Program

Core BeliefAll students have gifts and

talents and can learn at high levels given

adequate resources and support.

All students will experience:A common, rigorous core academic curriculum

A motivating learning environment Caring and supportive human

environment Opportunities for academic success

Relevant schoolwork

Talent Development assists schools to:

Successfully implement schoolwide a standards-based instructional program in each major subject area

Institutionalize multiple tiers of teacher support Improve school climate Create communally-organized structures for

caring that give teachers the opportunity to work with a smaller group of students over a longer period of time

Talent Development assists schools to:

Adopt a “no-excuses” credo, a belief that all students can succeed with a standards-based curriculum, and that it is the collective responsibility of the adults and students in the school to overcome obstacles to this success

Provide extra help and enrichment to students during regular school hours

I. Provide all students with sustained, high quality, standards-based learning opportunities

Reading,English, Language ArtsStudent Team Literature

and

Talent Development Writing

Social StudiesA History of UsBy Joy Hakim

10-volume series

MathUCSMP Series

5th & 6th

Everyday Math7th Transition8th Algebra

ScienceFOSS and other

science modules approved byUSI & NSF

Coming Attraction: The Science Story

Student Team LiteratureStudent Team Literature is an innovative,

thoroughly researched, novel-based approach to teaching and learning in Reading, English, Language Arts.

Teachers move cooperative learning teams through pieces of literature in a cycle of activities

MathematicsUniversity of Chicago School Mathematics

ProjectFifth/ Sixth Grade:

Everyday Mathematics

Seventh Grade:Transition Mathematics

Eighth Grade:Algebra

Standards-Based Math Programs Supported by Talent Development

UCSMP Everyday Math

Connected Math

Math in Context

Math Thematics

MathScape

UCSMP Transition and Algebra

MATHEMATICS

In addition to the in-classroom implementation support of a

standards-based math curriculum, and the training

customized to meet the needs identified by the teachers,

sessions on a number of topics have been developed:

MATHEMATICS

1. Writing to learn mathematics2. Preparing the students to answer the open-ended

questions on state and district tests3. Using Cooperative Learning in the mathematics class4. Practice and re-enforcing skills through games and

projects5. Data collection6. Algebra Thinking7. Using the calculator to help learn mathematics* A semester-long Praxis prep course is currently being

offered to Philadelphia teachers.

Talent Development Science

TDMS supports the use of several types of science modules.

FOSS (Full-Option Science System) is an effective, hands-on K-8 science curriculum developed at the University of California at Berkeley. It is based on modular units, allowing schools to choose the order in which they are to be taught. Each module contains almost all materials necessary and clear lesson plans and support for teachers.

Talent Development Science

The research-based instructional approach is applied in each module to one of the following areas: Life Science, Earth Science, Physical Science, or Scientific Reasoning and Technology.

 

Talent Development Science

Using strategies from the TDMS English Language Arts program, the TDMS science program has developed a set of reading activities to be used with the modules’ readings.

In this way, students will gain experience with the same reading techniques in both their English and science classes and will be able to apply them to both fiction and non-fiction.

Social Studies CurriculumA History of US

The Talent Development Middle Schools United States history curriculum brings together the award-winning, ten-volume series A History of US by Joy Hakim, and teaching resource materials developed at Johns Hopkins University.

Social Studies Curriculum

A History of US offers:

A multivolume format – teachers can start at different points in history;

A “real” book layout – students are reading history not just to answer questions, but to know the material and attain lasting knowledge;

Social Studies CurriculumA History of US

Extensive use of primary sources – Photographs, letters, and other documents are integral to the story. A full array of people and their stories are presented in ways that help students understand the rich ethnic richness that makes us the nation that we are;

Written by one author – not created merely as a list of events that align with standards, but as a meaningful way of learning about our past.

Instructional Interventions

Double Dose/Extra Help Reading and Math programs:

Computer and Team Assisted Reading Acceleration (CATARA)

Computer and Team Assisted Math Acceleration (CATAMA)

        

Instructional Interventions

What target population does CATARA and CATAMA serve?  

Students who are significantly behind local and national achievement norms in reading benefit from intensive, focused attention on strategic reading and math instruction with developmentally appropriate materials and activities.

Students are selected based on teacher recommendations and their performance on standardized tests.

CATAMA Computer and Team Assisted Math

Acceleration

CATAMA is an innovative combination of computer-assisted instruction and structured cooperative learning that students receive in addition to their regular math course.

II. Provide all teachers with the training, support, and materials

they need

Multi-tiered, ongoing professional development and teacher support

1. Subject and grade specific staff development Helps develop a deeper understanding and

broader view of the subject area Models upcoming lessons, activities and

strategies Strengthens teachers’ knowledge of teaching

and learning Aligns assessments with inquiry-based

instructional strategies.

Provide all teachers with the training, support, and materials

they need

2. Non-evaluated, in-class assistance by a JHU instructional facilitator.

3. On-site curriculum coaches ensure continued teacher support and high implementation.

4. Lead teachers receive training to provide an additional layer of support.

Quarterly meetings held with school and JHU implementation teams to monitor roadblocks and

successes.

What Teachers Said About Coaching…

Virtually all said the TD coaching model is very different from other professional development they have received.

Most teachers had not had an on-site coaching relationship prior to TD.

Traditional PD

“I can tell you right now that most professional development activities are a complete waste of time. When I was in the classroom, if Friday was professional development day, that’s the day that I took off and did my personal business. Professional development was just a waste of my time, I can tell you, until I got in this program, I almost never saw any professional development that was worthwhile.”

TD Focus On Curriculum

“At least now we’re focused on the lesson. Whenever I did professional development in the past, it was just feel-good stuff and administrative mumbo-jumbo, it was a whole lot of jargon, somebody explaining what the new innovation was, you know, but it had very little to do with what actually went on in the classroom. Now, when we do professional development, it’s always about our curriculum, what we’re doing, it’s more meaningful now.”

Enhanced Credibility

“So they’re not telling them to do something that somebody says no way could they go to my school and do those kinds of things, because they don’t know the population. This program allows people to get connected to populations, connected to kids, connected to people, and then go in and actually work with the teachers, modeling appropriate ways to implement the curriculum. And I see no substitute for that. “

Sustained Presence

“In addition to the trainings, (my coach) is here. What do you need? What are you missing? What do I need to convey and communicate from the classroom to administration (and JHU)? What worked? What’s not working? What’s not really necessary, what can we do more of? So it’s a constant…so it really has been invaluable… “

Talent Development Climate

The Climate program helps create a safe, positive atmosphere by providing positive responses to appropriate behavior, consistent consequences for inappropriate behaviors, and support for all students.

Talent Development Climate Group Interventions

Anger management Loss & Separation Social Skills Peer Mediation

Individual Interventions Behavior Improvement Plan Late Area Reflection Room Behavior

Improvement Plan Behavior Intervention TeamFunctional Behavior

Assessments

Talent Development Climate

Behaviors Targeted for Reduction/Extinction: Fighting Abusive Language Lateness to School Loitering in the halls Bullying and extortion Weapons/beepers/cell phones Graffiti Sexual Harassment Cutting Classes

III. Supportive Learning Environment

1. Communal Organization Smaller Learning Communities address:Logistics of managing disciplinePersonalization of student-teacher relationshipsTeachers’ sense of responsibility for students

III. Supportive Learning Environment

2. Extra-Help and Enrichment3. Detracking of Instruction4. School, Family, and Community

Partnerships5. Culturally Relevant Teaching6. Career Exploration

How Do We Know It Works?Attendance DataAchievement DataImplementation ChecksStudent and Teacher Surveys

How Do We Know It Works?Achievement — 50%+ of students gain a year and a half in math and reading skills per yearAttendance — Increase 10% or more. Climate — Suspensions decrease significantly

Established TDMG Sites: Change in Combined 8th Grade PSSA Scale Scores Since Start of Implementing Talent Development

SchoolYears of TD PSSA

Baseline = Ave. of Two Years Prior

Average PSSA for most recent two years

Change

TDMG 1 8 2040 2365 +325

TDMG 2 7 2090 2345 +255

TDMG 3 7 2150 2340 +190

TDMG 4 5 2045 2170 +125

TDMG 5 5 2005 2165 +160

TDMG 6 4 2140 2240 +100

TDMG 7 3 2175 2280 +105

TDMG 8 3 2110 2215 +105

TDMG 9 3 2130 2230 +100

TDMG Average

5 2098 2261 +163

District 2237 2325 + 88

Lessons Learned Schools that are successful have a

significant percentage of teacher buy-in for the partnership

Professional development that is immediately relevant to current content is the most effective for changing teaching

Schools that are successful have administrators who promote attendance at PD sessions; and communicate frequently with JHU coaches.

Lessons Learned Schools that are successful understand the partner’s role as “nagger and nurturer.”

Schools that are successful implement the program as designed, even though it can be customized to local needs. Deviations impact the likelihood of success.