T HE C HALLENGE N ETWORK July 12, 2010
W HAT
IS
H OUSTON A+ C HALLENGE ?
Started in 1997 by The Annenberg Founda;on, local founda;ons, individual philanthropists and business leaders
Since then, more than $90 million raised to help local public school teachers, principals, and district leaders improve teaching and learning for Houston s students
Direct grants to schools, leadership training, teacher development, and innova;ve ideas for districts
Did you know? Some of our accomplishments listed on the bookmark in your materials
O UR M ISSION The mission of Houston A+ Challenge is to serve as a catalyst for change in the public schools that educate nine of every ten children in the region, teaming with principals and teachers in targeted schools to ensure that every student is prepared for post-‐secondary success.
T HE C HALLENGE N ETWORK C H A L L E N G I N G G O O D S C H O O L S TO B E G R E AT !
T HE C HALLENGE N ETWORK
This ini;a;ve is the central focus of Houston A+ Challenge s new Strategic Plan, adopted by our Board in January 2010
Five middle schools from five districts will par;cipate in the two-‐year pilot, launching today
If results prove promising, Challenge Network is projected to grow to reach 50,000 children in 70 schools throughout the Houston area within six years
A+ is commiSed to inves;ng $4.4 million over two years to this ini;a;ve during the pilot phase
O UR G OAL The goal of the Challenge Network is to build capacity in targeted middle schools and significantly increase the number of students who are not just proficient, but who are on track to be truly ready for postsecondary success.
T HE N EED
91
The percentage of Texas public school students who tested Proficient in Reading/ELA in 2009
T HE N EED
18
The percentage of Texas Class of 1995 who graduated with a college degree or cer;ficate
T HE N EED Na;onally, current research tells us that fewer than one in five 8th graders are on target to be ready for college-‐ level work by the ;me they finish high school.
Source: The ForgoAen Middle (2008, ACT, Inc.)
T HE N EED To have a true chance at postsecondary success … 8th grade students in Texas need to achieve at or near COMMENDED levels (above 2300 scale score) in Math and English
Source: Are Texas Middle School Students Prepared for High School? Dr. Ed Fuller, Ph.D., University of Texas, AusTn (2009, for Texas Business and EducaTon CoaliTon)
Current 8th Grade Students Mathema;cs Scale Score Distribu;on (actual data from a high-‐performing local district)
* Source: Are Texas Middle School Students Prepared for High School? Dr. Ed Fuller, Ph.D., University of Texas, AusTn (2009, for Texas Business and EducaTon CoaliTon)
Student Scale Scores in 8th Grade Math predict Postsecondary Readiness in 11th Grade
* Source: Are Texas Middle School Students Prepared for High School? Dr. Ed Fuller, Ph.D., University of Texas, AusTn (2009, for Texas Business and EducaTon CoaliTon)
Impact of Moving the Middle Group of Students toward Commended Performance
C HALLENGE N ETWORK : P ROJECT G OALS 1.
Increase achievement and college readiness of targeted middle school students in targeted schools (as measured by a doubling of commended rates in most schools over two years)
2.
Improve teacher prac;ce and increase teacher capacity at targeted schools
3.
Increase student achievement for all students in the targeted cohort grades
4.
Sustain gains at each campus aaer the first two years of intense engagement
C HALLENGE N ETWORK : P ROGRAM C OMPONENTS 1.
Analysis of baseline data to formulate custom campus plans
2.
Campus-‐based performance coaching to drive targeted professional development and improvement
3.
Assessment for learning process using interim assessments and data reviews to drive differen;ated instruc;on
4.
Extra instruc;onal ;me and support for students to meet the higher standards
5.
Parent empowerment and engagement
6.
Targeted collabora;on across districts and teams
Leadership and willingness to push the envelope
P ROJECT D ESIGN : T HE A+ T EAM Director of School Performance:
Tom Monaghan
Partners with principals and district execu;ve leaders to demonstrate what a middle school campus looks like when it achieves high standards for postsecondary success.
Performance Coaches
College Culture Coach
Communi;es In Schools Coordinators
P ROJECT D ESIGN : T HE A+ T EAM Performance Coaches
Change teacher pracTce through working alongside teachers every day to improve student achievement. Work closely with ~150 targeted students to build relaTonships and ensure their success. College Culture Coach Analyzes best pracTces from research and informs schools to help them develop a college-‐bound culture.
Communi=es In Schools Coordinators
Support parents and families to help push their children toward higher levels of achievement.
C HALLENGE N ETWORK 2010 :
T HE S CHOOLS Carraway Intermediate School
Principal: Alfred James A+ Performance Coach: Jennifer Fowler Focus: 5th Grade Literacy
C HALLENGE N ETWORK 2010:
T HE S CHOOLS O Donnell Middle School
Principal: Janie Saxton A+ Performance Coach: Jennifer Mascheck Focus: 7th Grade Numeracy
CHALLENGE NETWORK 2010:
THE SCHOOLS Horace Mann Junior School
Principal: Michael Coopersmith A+ Performance Coach: Torrey Conerly Focus: 6th Grade Numeracy
C HALLENGE N ETWORK 2010:
T HE S CHOOLS Atascocita Middle School
Principal: Karl Koehler A+ Performance Coach: Mike Webster Focus: 6th Grade Advanced Coursework
CHALLENGE NETWORK 2010:
THE SCHOOLS YES Prep West
Principal: Ellen Winstead A+ Performance Coach: Cicely Greene Focus: 6th and 7th Grade English Language Arts
C HALLENGE N ETWORK : F INANCIALS
A+ is commiSed to inves;ng $4.4 million over two years during the pilot phase
Direct costs per school run about $280,000 per year
Primary cost is personnel: Campus-‐based Performance Coach and Communi;es in Schools coordinator
Districts in pilot phase are contribu;ng in-‐kind resources such as sub ;me for teachers to aSend professional development, aaer-‐school transporta;on, etc.
If pilot is successful, intent is to go to a cost-‐sharing model that includes some fee-‐for-‐service