California Department of Education
Taking Center Stage – Act II

Ensure availability of instructional resources

One of the most important jobs of a learning leader is to support and equip teaching team members to do “whatever it takes” to improve student learning and close the achievement gap. However, even small wins are difficult when teachers lack basic resources and time to focus on differentiated instruction, building relationships, and providing timely interventions.

In the Spotlight

Granite Oaks Middle School (Outside Source), is a California Middle Grades Partnership Network School in the Rocklin Unified School District. The faculty works as a team to manage resources that meet the school’s goals. For example, the school requested district funding to support release time for department leads. The administrator has developed a good relationship with the district so that the school receives flexibility in using its funds. The administrator works with the leadership team and staff to set priorities for a budget. All funding sources are on the table for discussion. The principal sets the vision for how to save and distribute the money and leads the staff in frequent discussions about what is working and what is not. Click here to view school reports for Granite Oaks Middle School.

With district support, the site administrator’s job is to ensure that each professional in the organization has the tools needed to accomplish his or her responsibility:

  • Middle grades counselors need access to resources for social and emotional health services.
  • Middle school library/media centers require professional staffing and up-to-date, culturally relevant resources.
  • Custodial staff members need resources to maintain facility appearance and safety.
  • School classified staff members require technologies to assist in tracking attendance, informing parents about school events, and maintaining student records.

In the Spotlight

Richard Henry Dana Middle School (Outside Source), Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage 2006 model, Wiseburn Elementary School District. The school uses an Internet-to-phone based technology that sends out mass personalized telephone messages in several languages. Click here to view school reports for Richard Henry Dana Middle School.

Several tools are available to assist middle school leaders in providing resources and guiding school improvement:

  • Categorical Program Monitoring (CPM) is available every four years to help school teams verify compliance with requirements of each categorical program and to ensure that program funds are spent to increase student performance.
  • The middle grades Academic Program Survey (PDF; 242KB; pp.10) is available to help school leaders identify gaps in services.
  • The Least Restrictive Environment Survey (PDF; Outside Source) helps LEAs examine their practices in supporting educational options for students with disabilities.
  • The California Department of Education Web site lists other tools to help schools with school improvement.

In the Spotlight

McKinleyville Middle School (Outside Source), Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage 2006 model, McKinleyville Union Elementary School District) is a CalSTAT Leadership (Outside Source) model for special education in the middle grades. Click here to view school reports for McKinleyville Middle School.

  • “Teacher Work Conditions as Catalysts for Student Achievement.” ACSD InfoBrief, No. 43 (October 2005).

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