There is no denying that what we are currently doing in the area of Mathematics is . Now is the time that we make a change. A change that creates the results that are expected of us.
Data has been collected, analyzed and reported to the staff regarding student performance within the content area. We have identified the areas in which students are currently having the most difficulty and plan to target them specifically in an effort to meet the standards of the NJ ASK Grade 8 Mathematic portion.
Title I: $45,000 - money to help all students
This money will be used to primarily provide the students with greater opportunities to practice the skills that are posing the greatest obstacle. Monies will be used to provide students with opportunities before and after school through programs designed specifically to meet the needs of the students. Part of this money will also be designated for test preparatory programs to provide students with the necessary test taking skills that will aid them. Money will also be designated to provide students with materials that can be taken home and completed with parents/guardians.
Title IIa: $38,000 - Professional Development
Money here will be used for two areas of profession development. First, a series of workshops will be provided to help teachers understand the needs of the students in regards to the content area. These workshops will provide teachers with skills to provide a better understanding of content for the students. Second, the money here will be used to provide release time for teachers on a consistent basis to allow teachers to collaborate about the techniques they have learned and implemented.
Title III $12,000 - Bilingual programs
Money here will provide necessary resources for students whose primary language is not English. Money will be used to provide appropriate resources that will aid in the success of these students.
Title IV $3,500 - Drug and Alcohol
The money located here will provide two assets for the students. First, an assembly about the negative effects of drugs and alcohol and the role that they play on learning. Second, specialists in the area of test preparation will be provided for students to utilize.
Title V $1,200 - Creative Uses - Technology
Possibilities
Computer based test prep materials. (paper based if no computers)
Payment for teachers to create test prep materials
Through a concerted effort and determination between staff, students,and parents, we will provide our students with the necessary skill to attain the goals set forth by the state. We will continue to tirelessly work to provide the necessary support for student success.
Sean- I like the fact that you did a data assessment to see where the problem is before you began. Overall from your plan you see what the needs are of your school and have some ideas to fix them. What would make your plan more powerful would be greater specificity. When you write a program plan for a grant, they want to know exactly what the money is for, how it will be spent, and how you will measure success (or failure)
ReplyDeleteSean - I like your breakdown of the Grant monies, but I don't see how your spending differs from what you, as the administrator of the school, would have been doing during the previous years. You are listing all the things, which the money is usually spent on year after year, and in the case of your school, it obviously doesn't work. Are you sending more good money after the bad? Which new approaches are you suggesting to make the school show AYP?
ReplyDeleteJulie,
ReplyDeleteBeing that we did not get much more background on the situation, I cannot be sure how much specific training the content area teachers have received in regards to the material on the test. Being a "specialist" of sorts, I have attend many meaningless professional development sessions provided in my district.
Although these may seem like expenses that occur every year, this is grant money that is being spent in direct relation to the academic failure of the standardized testing. Thus is may not be spent in the same manner every year. You mentioned in a response to me that you don't believe students should have to come before or after school. Doesn't repetition and practice lead to better performance? These opportunities are set up to provide additional aid to student who need it.