Core Practices in Math & Science: An Investigation of Consistently Higher Performing Schools in Five States - Fairview Middle School, Leon County Schools (Florida)9b3

PERFORMANCE AND PRACTICE ©2008 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved. Core Practices in Math & Science: An Investigation of Consistently Higher Performing Schools in Five States Fairview Middle School Leon County Schools (Florida) Introduction Since 1999, the National Center for Educational Achievement (NCEA) and its affiliated research teams have studied over 500 public schools across the country in an effort to identify and disseminate effective practices embraced by higher performing schools that distinguish their campuses from their average-performing peers. Building on the foundation established by this previous research, NCEA sought in the current study to focus specifically on educational practices in the areas of mathematics and science in five states: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas. Criteria used in school selection in the current study included three years of state assessment data in mathematics and science (2004, 2005, and 2006), campus demographic make-up, percentage of economically disadvantaged students, school size, and geographic location. In addition, all of the schools selected for participation met the state and federal requirements for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2006. Schools categorized as higher performing based on the selection criteria were those “beating the odds” with consistently better student achievement over three years, when compared to peer campuses with a similar student population. Therefore, a list of the state’s highest performing schools may contain schools different from those selected for this study.1 In order to illuminate the roles of different members in a school community, for each selected school, NCEA researchers interviewed district-level administrators, school administrators, and classroom teachers. To supplement the interview data, researchers collected pertinent documents, observed secondary level algebra classes, and invited participants to take part in the NCEA Self-Assessment online. 1 For more detailed information about the school identification process and the list of higher performing schools included in the study, please see the full cross-case report at http://www.nc4ea.org. 2 District and School Profile Serving the Florida state capitol of Tallahassee, Leon County Schools enrolls approximately 34,000 students. The school district operates 48 schools, including 24 elementary schools, 9 middle schools, and 6 high schools. English language learners, most of whose parents are degree seekers at the local universities, make up 1% of the student population. Approximately 37% of the total enrolled students are eligible for free and reduced-price lunch. White and African American students account for approximately 90% of the district’s student population, at about 50% and 40% respectively. Open since 1970, Fairview Middle School now serves 830 students, of whom 54% receive free and reduced-price lunch. African-American students are the largest subgroup, at about 62%. Only 0.5% of the students are English language learners. Fairview Middle School houses a pre-International Baccalaureate (pre-IB) program, which currently serves approximately one-third of the school’s student population. To enroll in the pre-IB program, interested students from across the district submit applications. Upon completing 3 years of the program, students are eligible for direct entry to the high school IB program. As a strong proponent of higher standards, NCEA recognizes school efforts to move more students to the state’s higher standard of achievement by accounting for those students in the analysis of consistent higher performance. Tables 1 and 2 summarize performance at both the state’s proficient and advanced standards attained by the students at Fairview Middle School for the years of 2004, 2005, and 2006. The state averages included in the tables represent student performance among schools with a student population similar to Fairview, particularly based on the percentage of economically disadvantaged students. Figure 1: Student Demographics Fairview Middle School62%2%27%6%3%% African American% Asian% Hispanic% White% Other 3 Sharing academic goals anchored in post-secondary preparation, educators in Leon County Schools provide students with opportunities to reach college and career readiness. ƒ As part of the district’s preK-12 school reform priorities, academic goals and initiatives address college and career preparation. One district leader shared, “What we are looking at is to prepare students with the 12 years in public school to have a choice in avenues they want to take, whether it’s going into work or college.” To sustain students’ educational journeys, such preparation begins in early grades because “the better you get during the first few years, everybody from then on will benefit, especially the students.” For instance, based on data review, district administrators concentrate on literacy skills for students who do not come to scho