California Department of Education
Taking Center Stage – Act II

Video Summary

Recommendation 7—Access

“Access: Making It Happen For Every Student!”

Parts I and II

Determined to Succeed
  • AVID students at Richard Henry Dana Middle School learn from caring teachers who use multiple strategies and approaches to help students learn.
  • Students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their personal competencies on a regular basis.
After-School Enrichment
  • R.H. Dana students express themselves with art. An after-school arts program engages students in creative expression while liking them to the school community.
  • Caring teachers know their students and develop after school activities that address students’ interests.
Mentors and Peer Tutors
  • Rio Norte Junior High School engages students in meaningful leadership and service-learning activities.
  • Through the Peer Tutoring and “Yes I Can” mentoring programs, students recognize they are needed and discover talents they never knew they possessed.
Access means giving all students the opportunity to:
  • Learn from and interact with caring teachers and other caring adults.
  • Be a contributing part of a community (at school, at home, in the neighborhood, and beyond).
  • Learn concepts through multiple strategies and approaches.
  • Feel needed.
  • Learn to accept self and others.
  • Demonstrate their personal competencies and individual talents.
  • Understand and celebrate differences.
  • Engage in enrichment, multicultural, and exploratory activities.
  • Learn and receive support, especially when they are struggling.
  • Build positive relationships with peers, caring teachers, and other adults.
  • Celebrate, enjoy learning,00 and have fun.
  • Succeed.
For more information contact:
  • R. H. Dana Middle School
    Hawthorne, California
    Phone: 310-725-4700

  • Rio Norte Junior High School
    Santa Clarita, California
    Phone: 661-295-3700

Yes I Can!
© 2001-2005 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota

Video produced by the
California Department of Education
Middle and High School Improvement Office

Copyright 2006