 |
 |
Avalon Middle
School is located in a rapidly growing rural community that takes
pride in the continuity of traditional values and leadership. Instruction
at the school is delivered in a professional caring environment
with an average class size of 23 students.A curriculum mapping strategy
was adopted a few years ago by the district office and is at the
center of the Avalon's instructional approach. The vertical alignment
of curriculum is also seen as important, with the math department
mapping skills across grade levels and the English department dividing
writing into six essential elements, with each grade working in
depth on two of the elements. These methods insure a consistent
progression of skills and concepts across grades and academic subjects.
A progression chart reflecting where students are and where they
need to be gives teachers direction in bridging the achievement
gap. Teachers individualize instruction based on assessment of student
need in reading and math as related to the Sunshine State Standards.
They are encouraged to teach at levels requiring their students
to utilize higher-order thinking skills.
Results: School Grade: 2002 A; 2003 A.
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Instruction delivered in a professional caring environment school
wide
- Teachers taught to analyze student data and plan for improvement
through curriculum mapping
- Teachers encouraged to develop and require higher order thinking
skills across all content areas
- Vertical teaming to insure a consistent progression of skills
and curriculum
Traditional values and leadership are supported by flexibility and
creativity in finding ways to make programs work for students. Administration
and faculty report "flexibility" as one characteristic
essential to successful teaching at Avalon Middle incorporating
the motto, "Blessed are those who are flexible, for they shall
not get bent out of shape." This became essential when the
schedule was reworked to implement a two-hour block and the Read
180 program. "Teachers teach, teach, teach, and students learn,
learn, learn" is another common saying at Avalon Middle, reflecting
the focus of faculty and students. In additional to faculty using
school, district, and state data assessment to guide their instruction,
students are taught to monitor their own progress through classroom
assessments and goal setting. Students monitor their progress in
individual student planners, which are made available for parent
review. Lastly, a special reading center has been established to
assist students needing extra guidance or reading remediation.
Results: FCAT Writing Assessment: 97% of
8th grade students scored at Level 3.0 or higher; FCAT Math: 82%;
FCAT Reading: 73%.
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Flexibility in implementing new programs while maintaining traditional
values
- Shared focus on teaching and learning
- Students involved in monitoring own progress and setting goals
for improvement
Students
contribute to the successful implementation of programs and atmosphere
of learning at Avalon Middle School. Students are encouraged to
be part of the School Advisory Council (SAC) and provide their perspective,
with student leaders rotating on and off of the SAC. Students' creative
talents are utilized as they meet, greet and provide tours for new
students and families. They are often called upon to buddy with
new students for an informal social and academic orientation. "Respect
for every student" is encouraged among students as well as
by faculty and administration.
Results: Students feel connected as evidence
in the low rate of discipline incidents and student suspension.
Practices that Promote High Performance:
- Student membership on the School Advisory Council
- Student involvement in informal social and academic orientations
of students and parents
- Encouraging respect for every student as a standard for behavior
by students and staff
< Back to Case Studies
|
