Knox Education incorporates the strategies of Strategic Schooling
developed by Dennis Parker. Charlotte Knox worked with 22 schools
last year using the basics of Strategic Schooling and these
results show that it works.
All 22 schools met their 2010 API
12 of the 22 schools met both API and AYP targets
20 of the 22 schools experienced gains in both ELA and Math
for “ALL STUDENTS”
8 of the 22 schools achieved gains in ALL SUBGROUPS in both
ELA and Math
In the notes for each school there is a reference to “Backwards
Planning” or “Backwards Mapping.” This is a comprehensive
planning session to map out what needs to take place for the
remainder of the school year before the CST. It includes
strategizing standards-based interventions for targeted students,
research-based teaching strategies, collaboration techniques,
testing preparation and practice, and much more. In January or
February each year we call this the “Half-time Huddle” – and we
literally plan each remaining day of instruction leading up to
the test date.
We acknowledge the support and effort of the teachers, staff,
principals, and districts to follow the guidelines of these
strategies and strive for success. We worked hard together and
the results were excellent. Each of the schools listed below
showed API gains and AYP results scores for the 2009-10 academic
school year.
Franklin-McKinley Unified School District: In
this district each site got at least two days of
training/strategies, including testing preparation, “Backwards
Planning”, walkthroughs, demo lessons, and more. In addition we
did the “Half-Time Huddle” in January at which many of the
schools were represented. For McKinley, Michelle Karns and I both
worked with the school extensively and Michelle wrote and
facilitated the application of their new Alternative Governance
Plan. McKinley has moved up 114 points in two years and was one
of only 23 PI 5 schools in the state of California to exit PI
last year.
Atwater Elementary School District: In this
district each site got at least three days of
training/strategies, including test preparation demos, “Backwards
Planning”, walkthroughs, and more. The principal at Olaeta is
absolutely committed to helping every teacher and student be
successful.
Crescent: January: a shared Saturday “Half-Time
Huddle” with Root,plus five days of demo lessons, grade level
planning, walk-throughs, and principal coaching.
Fairview: Began in January after principal left
and a subsititute took over, with 4 days right away: Friday
Folders, test preparation, and a big awards assembly CST prep
rally.
Gordon: This staff was about 40% new hires this
year. Facilitated half-day “backwards mapping”, principal and
vice principal strategy sessions, and produced and printed
student binders/Friday Folders.
Root: January: a shared Saturday “Half-Time
Huddle” with Crescent plus two days of demo lessons.
Sheldon: Retreat in August, plus 6 days during
the year. Constant contact with principal. Had a challenging
group of teachers, particularly with upper grades; with 3
teachers leaving by the end of the year. The school is now poised
to make a big gain this year.
Los Molinos: One day training; “half-time
huddle” workshop. They seem to really take the “get-it” aspect of
teaching seriously. Principal is focused on achievement with an
amazing “data wall”.
Rosa Parks: School has been working hard and is
finally moving. Provided test prep training for the district on
site; also some demos, coached literacy coach, Jen Corn, and
summer planning with the principal.
Pomo: Provided a three-day training on the
writing campaign – a comprehensive school-wide campaign to
improve writing – with awards, group efforts, etc. This is the
first year the middle school shares the campus.
Sierra Avenue: Two days in January: test prep,
and a non-fiction writing focus.
Think College Now: A focused campus; upwardly
mobile all the time. Charlotte has been working with them for 7
years– mentoring-consulting strategies ongoing; frequent
consulting with leadership. On campus two days this year plus
Dennis Parker for one day.
Walnut Grove: One day in March: test prep
workshop and demos. They really wanted this and I believe they
did an excellent implementation after training.
Wyandotte: February – three days; teachers
embraced the “backwards planning”, student folders, test prep
strategies, and they jumped into “data walls”.
