California GEAR UP e-Newsletter

Happy New Year!

2007 presented many exciting opportunities for middle schools across California. To ensure that ALL students receive an equitable education, the State has enacted policies and committed resources to closing the achievement gap. This urgent challenge has brought attention to the earlier grades and to data based practices and strategies that result in improved student performance.

By Vance Mills, School-Based Manager

At the 2007 GEAR UP staff retreat, team members were paired up to provide creative professional development opportunities between
seasoned educators and those new to the profession. I saw this as a way to mentor a new colleague, an important role for all of us who have many years of school experience plus other related educational activities.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Academy, Sausalito-Marin City School District | “Our Quest for Excellence”

With 31 students in grades 7-8 in their school, the School Leadership Team established an inclusive collaboration process. The staff blends their resources to operate as a school team of teachers, paraprofessionals, outreach coordinator, and school counselor through peer coaching.

Reed Middle School, Los Angeles Unified School District | “Empowering Students and Parents through Creative Master Programming and Parent Education”

Reed Middle School is focusing on two areas of the School Self Assessment Rubric, Rigorous Academic Curriculum and Family-Neighborhood-School Supports. Their Rigorous Academic Curriculum strategies include offering targeted Algebra support in a double block of algebra in a 7-period day; about 70% of their 8th graders are enrolled.

Live Oak Middle School, Tulare City Elementary School District | Presentation: “It’s a Grizz Thang!”

From their School Self Assessment Rubric deliberations, the School Leadership Team concluded that their focus should be on maintaining a Rigorous Academic Curriculum and providing Intensive Academic and College-Going Support for students. Their strategies include using a “Grizzly Bear” theme and symbols to enhance