Successful Practices in The Meriden Public Schools

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Successful PracticesinThe Meriden Public Schools
Mary Noonan Cortright Superintendent of
Schools August 18, 2009
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Meriden Demographics

• Student Population 8,815
• 12 Schools
• 8 Elementary Schools K-5
• 2 Middle Schools 6-8
• 2 High Schools 9-12
• Free/Reduced-Price Meals - 60
• Total Minority 58
• Hispanic 43
• White 42
• Black 13

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MATHEMATICS
READING
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How Did We Get There?

• District/School Improvement Plans
• Viable Curriculum
• Positive Learning Environment/PBS
• Data Teams/Teacher Collaboration
• Professional Development/CALI
• Diagnostic Assessments

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Meridens District Assessments (MDA) Grades 2 to 9

• High Validity with CMT (Math r .82 to .92
  Reading r .76 to .86)
• High Reliability (Math alpha .88 to .94
  Reading alpha .80 to .89)
• Student misconceptions reported within 3 to 5
  days for teachers
• Math and Reading assessment items used for
  instruction
• which guide teachers conferencing with
  students
• Math Strand Checks and Reading Support
  Exercises based on identified student
  misconceptions or ineffective reading strategies

Diagnostic tools statistically linked to CMT
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Data Teams

• Extensive Professional Development
• Teacher Collaboration
• District Data Team
• School Data Team
• Grade Level/Subject Area Data Teams

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Elementary Literacy CurriculumReading and
Writing Workshop Framework

• Supplemented by
• Harcourt Trophies Anthology
• Formalized Language Arts Block
• Uniform Pacing Guide K-5
• Mandatory Guided Reading Plan
• MDA/Reading Comprehension Exercises
• Elements of Reading Vocabulary Program
• Harcourt Intervention Resource Kit

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Supported by

• Elementary Language Arts Supervisor
• Monthly In-service With Reading Department
• Dual Role of Cadre of Reading Specialists
• approximately 3 reading specialists per school
• provide additional targeted reading instruction
  to at-risk students
• provide modeling and in-service to classroom
  teachers
• Reading In-service for Special Education Teachers
• Reading Coach in Each School/SDE In-service

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And.

• Classroom Observations/Walk-Throughs
• Monthly School-Based Literacy Team Meetings with
  Principal and LA Supervisor
• Grade Level Data Teams
• Specific Interventions During School Day
• Before/After School Tutoring

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Secondary Literacy Initiatives

• Secondary Language Arts Supervisor
• Reading Coach at Middle/High Schools
• Resource Guides for Every Novel
• Collins Writing Program
• Reading Workshop
• Accelerated Reader/Star Reader Program
• Specific Interventions During School Day
• MDA/Rdg. Comp./Writing Exercises
• 9th Grade Team
• Middle/High School Embedded Unit Assessments
  Aligned With CMT/CAPT

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Mathematics

• K-12 Mathematics Supervisor
• Elementary Mathematics Facilitator
• Standardized K-5 Math Curriculum
• Uniform Pacing Guide K-5
• Connected Mathematics Program 6-8
• Common Formative Assessments K-12
• Standardized 9/10 Algebra/Geometry

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What the Future Holds. . .

• BOE Stance Leveling at Secondary Schools
• Four Year Reorganization Plan 2009-2013
• Middle School 3 Levels to 2 Levels
• High School 4 Levels to 2 Levels
• Stay the Course

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Success for All!