Practices In the Spotlight Index
A Collection of Vignettes Spotlighting
Middle Grades School Practices
Taking Center Stage—Act II (TCSII) showcases middle grades practices in the context of one or more of the California Department of Education’s (CDE) 12 Recommendations for Middle Grades Success.
For your convenience, TCSII spotlighted practices are sorted by Recommendation. If you would prefer to see a list of the practices listed alphabetically by school names, go to Practices In the Spotlight —Schools in Alphabetical Order.
To go directly to the list of spotlights that illustrate specific parts of the California Department of Education's (CDE) 12 Recommendations for Middle Grades Success that are sorted by Recommendation, select the respective Recommendation below:
A list of practices employed at each of California's model Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage schools is available in the Schools to Watch™-Taking Center Stage Thumbnail Sketch (DOC; 155KB; 6pp).
The educational strategies illustrated at a featured school, district, or county office of education represent part of a recommendation, research study, or learning improvement. Since all of the CDE's 12 Recommendations for Middle Grades Success work together, no single Recommendation or practice can close the achievement gap in California's middle grades.
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 1—Rigor
- Benjamin Holt College Preparatory Academy
A focus on learning—habits of mind
- Galt Joint Union Elementary School District
Grades and effective standards-based reporting
- Gaspar DePortola Middle School
Vocabulary development
- McKinleyville Middle School
Grades and effective standards-based reporting
High expectations for all students
- Ocean View Junior High School
Grades and effective standards-based reporting
- Rancho Cucamonga Middle School
Pacing guides
Grades and effective standards-based reporting
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 2—Instruction, Assessment, and Intervention
- A. C. Stelle Middle School
English language arts instruction
- Alvarado Intermediate School
Mathematics instruction
Response to Intervention (RTI) and special education
Tutoring and homework centers
- Bernice Ayer Middle School
Bilingual instruction
Mathematics instruction
Teaching Students with Special Needs
Saturday school
- Del Norte County Unified School District
History-social science instruction
Visual and performing arts
- Gaspar DePortola Middle School
Interventions for mathematics
Visual and performing arts
Foreign/world languages
After school academies
Response to Intervention (RTI) and special education
- John Glenn Middle School of International Studies
Visual and performing arts
Study skills —teaching students how to learn
Response to Intervention (RTI)
Interventions for Bilingual Students
Interventions for mathematics
- Louis Pasteur Fundamental Middle School
Assessment Driven Instructional Planning
- Luther Burbank Middle School
History-social science instruction
Science instruction
- McKinleyville Middle School
Teaching Students with Special Needs
- Main Street Middle School
Algebra
Visual and performing arts
CAPA and English learners
- Medea Creek Middle School
Differentiated Instruction
- Millikan Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
Interventions for Bilingual Students
Visual and performing arts
- Rancho Cucamonga Middle School
Teaching writing
Mathematics instruction
- Rancho Milpitas Middle School
Differentiated Instruction
Interventions for mathematics
- Reyburn Intermediate School
Test preparation
After school academies
- Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Interventions for mathematics
Least restrictive environments (LREs)
- Rio Norte Junior High School
History-social science instruction
Common benchmark assessments
Interventions for mathematics
- Santa Cruz County Office of Education
Teaching writing
- Serrano Intermediate School
Study skills —teaching students how to learn
- Toby Johnson Middle School
Algebra
- Vista Academy for Visual and Performing Arts
Visual and performing arts
Science instruction
Teaching writing
Homework: Subject area homework template for team coordination (DOC; 31KB; 1 p.)
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 3—Time
- Alvarado Intermediate School
Six period days
- Bernice Ayer Middle School
Time for Professional Learning Community Activities
Rotating block
Time for counseling and mental health
- Clark Intermediate School
Time for clubs and co-curricular experiences
Six period days
Other schedule variations
- Gaspar DePortola Middle School
Other schedule variations
Teacher preparation
- Hollister School District
Other schedule variations
- John Glenn Middle School of International Studies
Time for tutoring and mentoring
Time for counseling and mental health
Time for celebrations
Time for Professional Learning Community Activities
- McKinleyville Middle School
Time for accelerated academic interventions
Seven- or eight-period days
- Medea Creek Middle School
Other schedule variations
Time for electives
- Rancho Milpitas Middle School
Six-period days
- Reyburn Intermediate School
Time for clubs and co-curricular experiences
Rotating block
- Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Time for tutoring and mentoring
Time for counseling and mental health
- Sam Brannan Middle School
Master schedules
- Toby Johnson Middle School
Other schedule variations
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 4—Relevance
- Alvarado Intermediate School
Cross-curricular connections; writing across the curriculum
Electives and exploratory courses (interest-based)
Animation
Conclusion
- Gaspar DePortola Middle School
Libraries/media centers
Electives and exploratory courses (interest-based)
Real-world connections
Field trips
- John Glenn Middle School of International Studies
Student interactive assessment and response remote systems
Career technical education
Electives and exploratory courses (interest-based)
- Lemon Grove Middle School
Computer access
- Luther Burbank Middle School
Service-learning
- McKinleyville Middle School
Making the Middle Grades Relevant and Engaging
Cross-curricular connections; writing across the curriculum
Project-based learning
Service-learning
Meaningful participation
- Maywood Intermediate School
Integrating Technology
Computer access
- Monte Vista Middle School
Service-learning
Real-world connections
Project-based learning
- Olive Peirce Middle School
Cross-curricular connections; writing across the curriculum
- Rancho Milpitas Middle School
Libraries/media centers
Service-learning
- Reyburn Intermediate School
Real-world connections
- Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Libraries/media centers
Multicultural experiences
Online tutorials
- Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Teacher Web pages
- Serrano Intermediate School
Online tutorials
Real-world connections
- Toby Johnson Middle School
Electives and exploratory courses (interest-based)
- Zane (Catherine) Middle School
Project-based learning
Service-learning
Student Web sites and Webcasts
Videography
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 5—Relationships
- Aliso Viejo Middle School
Character celebrations
- Alta Sierra Intermediate School
School spirit celebrations
- Alvarado Intermediate School
Small Learning Communities
Celebrations—a culture based on caring and success
Promotions
- Bernice Ayer Middle School
Relationships with Peers
Small Learning Communities
Advisory programs (homeroom)
- Diablo Vista Middle School
Where Everyone Belongs
Looping
- Goleta Valley Junior High
Small Learning Communities
- Granite Oaks Middle School
Advisory programs (homeroom)
Opportunities to cooperate (cooperative learning)
- McKinleyville Middle School
Discipline
- Millikan Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
Small Learning Communities
Effort/motivation celebrations
Built on a Foundation of Close Relationships
Small Learning Communities
- Olive Peirce Middle School
Qualified and caring teachers
- Rancho Cucamonga Middle School
Academic celebrations
Relationship building through student clubs and connections
- Reyburn Intermediate School
Qualified and caring teachers
- Rio Norte Junior High School
Relationships with Peers
Academic celebrations
Effort/motivation celebrations
Qualified and caring teachers
Advisory programs (homeroom)
Classified staff
- Serrano Intermediate School
Relationships with Peers
- Summit Intermediate School
Relationship building through student clubs and connections
Advisory programs (homeroom)
- Toby Johnson Middle School
Small Learning Communities
Looping
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 6—Transitions
- Alice C. Stelle Middle School
Transitions as Part of Community Building
- Alvarado Intermediate School
Intervention courses and after-school programs
- Bernice Ayer Middle School
The Importance of Easing Transitions for Young Adolescents
Integration into middle grades life
Integration into middle grades life
- Granite Oaks Middle School
Articulation Agreements with Elementary Schools
- John Glenn Middle School of International Studies
Academic counseling to prepare for transitions
Mentor/buddies for incoming students
Integration into middle grades life
Family welcome and involvement
Course articulation
Family welcome and involvement
- Los Angeles Unified School District
Articulation Agreements with Destination High Schools
- Olive Peirce Middle School
Newsletters, newspapers, school Web sites, and plays to demystify the middle grades
Social promotion versus summer school and bridge programs
- Perris Union High School District
Articulated assessments
- Rancho Cucamonga Middle School
Articulated assessments
- Rio Norte Junior High School
Course articulation
Mentor/buddies for incoming students
Family welcome and involvement
- San Francisco Unified School District
Articulation Agreements with Destination High Schools
- Toby Johnson Middle School
Articulation Agreements with Elementary Schools
Articulation Agreements with Destination High Schools
Enrichment options to prepare for high school
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 7—Access
From "Cool to be Cruel" to "Cool to Care"
Language acquisition
Access to facilities and instructional materials
Socioeconomic status
- Holmes International Middle School
The chance to engage potential dropouts
Socioeconomic status
Strategies Common to Effective Middle Grades Programs
- Lemon Grove Middle School
Socioeconomic status
- Millikan Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
Language acquisition
Socioeconomic status
- Norwalk-La Miranda Unified School District
Socioeconomic status
- Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Access to heterogeneous groupings to the fullest extent possible
- Sacramento City Unified School District
Language acquisition
- Sierra Vista MIddle School
The Chance to Engage Potential Dropouts
Access to advanced programs
- Twin Hills Charter Middle School
Special Education Students Gain Access to Regular Education Science Classes
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 8—Safety, Resilience, and Health
Bullying prevention
- Cesar Chavez Middle School
Nutrition and fitness
- Fontana Unified School District
Attendance, tardiness, truancy, and the School Attendance Review Board (SARB)
Resilience—Strengthening Protective Factors and Developmental Assets
- Gaspar DePortola Middle School
Health supports
- Granite Oaks Middle School
Safe and engaging facilities
Counseling
- Kastner Intermediate School
Resilience—Strengthening Protective Factors and Developmental Assets
- McKinleyville Middle School
Conflict resolution
- Rancho Cucamonga Middle School
Attendance, tardiness, truancy, and the School Attendance Review Board (SARB))
- Reyburn Intermediate School
Health supports
- Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Conflict resolution
Counseling
Nutrition and fitness
- Serrano Intermediate School
A Safe and Healthy School Environment
Discipline—a fair, consistent, and positive approach
Character education
- Ventura County Office of Education
Resilience—Strengthening Protective Factors and Developmental Assets
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 9—Leadership
- Carlsbad Unified School District
Lead data analysis
- Granite Oaks Middle School
Ensure availability of instructional resources
Teacher leadership
- Long Beach Unified School District
Local governing board support for articulation
- Los Angeles County Office of Education
County leadership
- McKinleyville Middle School
Ensure availability of instructional resources
- Reyburn Intermediate School
Principals—the Learning Leaders
- Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Ensure availability of instructional resources
- Rio Norte Junior High School
Local governing board support for articulation
Parent and family leadership
- San Francisco Unified School District
Fiscal support from the local governing board
- Serrano Intermediate School
Categorical Program Monitoring
Technology Support for Leaders
- Snowline Joint Unified School District
Provide curriculum and instructional leadership
Technology Support for Leaders
- Toby Johnson Middle School
Student leadership
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 10—Professional Learning
- A. C. Stelle Middle School
Professional learning from content experts
- Aliso Viejo Middle School
Professional learning from instructional coaches
- Alvarado Intermediate School
Professional learning from content experts
- Carlsbad Unified School District
Ongoing professional learning for teacher satisfaction and retention
- Frank Wright Middle School
Conclusion
- Granite Oaks Middle School
Professional learning through peer observation
- Holmes International Middle School
Ongoing professional learning for teacher satisfaction and retention
Professional learning through lesson studies
Professional learning about data review and use
- Olive Peirce Middle School
Professional learning about sharing time
Professional learning for beginning educators
- Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Professional learning for beginning educators
Professional learning from instructional coaches
- Rincon Intermediate School
Professional learning from content experts
- Serrano Intermediate School
Professional learning from content experts
How school design fosters professional learning
- Toby Johnson Middle School
Professional learning about classroom management
Ongoing professional learning for teacher satisfaction and retention
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 11—Accountability
- Alvarado Intermediate School
Accountability in preparing students for all course work
Accountability through student-led parent conferences
Accountability through student-led parent conferences
Accountability in preparing students for all course work
- McKinleyville Middle School
Accountability through student-led parent conferences
- Millikan Middle School and Performing Arts Magnet
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
- Rancho Milpitas Middle School
Accountability through student-led parent conferences
Practices In the Spotlight: Recommendation 12—Partnerships
- Aliso Viejo Middle School
Businesses
Nonprofit organizations
Government agencies
- Alvarado Intermediate School
Parental, Family, and Adults-Who-Care Involvement
- Bernice Ayer Middle School
Partnerships with higher education
Partnerships with the Community
Parental, Family, and Adults-Who-Care Involvement
Nonprofit organizations
- Empire Union Elementary District
Partnerships with higher education
- Gaspar DePortola Middle School
Homework Help and Academic Expectations
- George A. Buljan Middle School
Businesses
Homework Help and Academic Expectations
- Hollencrest Middle School
Homework Help and Academic Expectations
- Holmes International Middle School
Partnerships with the Community
Partnerships with higher education
- John Glenn Middle School of International Studies
Involving language-minority parents/guardians
- Kastner Intermediate School
Partnerships to Support Middle Grades Achievement
- Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office
District and regional offices
- Lemon Grove Middle School
Homework Help and Academic Expectations
- McKinleyville Middle School
Parent and family education
Partnerships with higher education
- Monroe Clark Middle School
Higher education
- Newark Junior High School
Nearby Schools
- Ocean View Junior High School
Involving language-minority parents/guardians
Nearby Schools
- Richard Henry Dana Middle School
Businesses
Nearby Schools
- Rincon Intermediate School
Involving language-minority parents/guardians
- Rio Norte Junior High School
Parent conferences
Nearby Schools
- Riverside County Achievement Team (RCAT)
District and regional offices
- San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools
Partnerships with the Community
- Sierra Intermediate School
Businesses
Involving language-minority parents/guardians
- Zane (Catherine) Middle School
Adult mentors
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