In the Spotlight

Alvarado Intermediate School (Outside Source), a Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage 2004 model, Rowland Unified School District. A cadre of teachers called the “Student Achievement Council” coordinates and provides the intervention classes.

McKinleyville Middle School (Outside Source), a Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage 2006 model, McKinleyville Union School District. A three-period (heterogeneous) core combines ELA and social sciences. A resource teacher supports resource students by teaming with the core teachers. For mathematics classes, students move into ability groupings.

McKinleyville Middle School (Outside Source), a Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage 2006 model, McKinleyville Union School District. An academic support class serves as an alternative to an elective. Students chose either ELA or mathematics to catch up to grade level. Students can also attend an after-school tutoring center (voluntary.)

Rancho Milpitas Middle School (Outside Source), a Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage 2005 model, and a California Distinguished School 2005, Milpitas Unified School District. School Improvement Program (SIP) money pays staff members to teach before and after school. Teachers who use the school’s selected reading intervention program receive an extra stipend because it takes extra preparation time to teach it. Students rotate between the classroom and computer lab.

Richard Henry Dana Middle School (Outside Source), a Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage 2006 model, Wiseburn Elementary School District. Before- and after-school intervention funds helped to create a zero period before school as well as an after-school academy to provide homework help and intensive interventions. To participate, teachers identify students by CST scores and then recruit them for the intervention classes.