IMPLEMENTINGTHE NO EXCUSES UNIVERSITY EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Jose Marti Middle School2010-2011

The Process

Every No Excuses University campus works diligently to expose students to powerful college symbolism. This symbolism is seen in the college flags and banners hung on every door, felt though the close partnerships forged between classrooms and universities, and heard in the college chants that exist at each grade level.

No Excuses University

Based on the following six exceptional systems:

1. Culture of Universal Achievement2. Collaboration3. Standards Alignment4. Assessment5. Data Analysis6. Interventions

1. Culture of Universal Achievement

Challenges vs. ExcusesChallenges explain why a student is

struggling…learning English, poor support, etc.Challenges can be overcome!

An excuse is made when defeat is accepted and

hope is lost.

1. Culture of Universal Achievement

We must be willing to confront the HARSH data about how our students are actually performing (or NOT performing).

We have to believe that our students have the right to go to college.

We have to be committed to seeing that they are ready.

2. Collaboration

As we collaborate as a staff, we must be willing toindividually commit to the following;

Clarity of Purpose Driven by our one goal to ensure that every student

is proficient or advanced. Respectful of Time Be prompt to meetings and make use of your time.

Professional Growth Be open to learning new methods and seek ways to learn

from one another. Building Strong Professional Relationships

Praise one other, be honest with one other, support one another and celebrate with one another.

3. Standards Alignment

Curriculum Mapping Tools for establishing a meaningful connection

between state standards and classroom instruction.

Brings focus and alignment to state standards. Encourages on-going reflection for best

practices. Curriculum Pacing

Charts the course for a yearly time frame and encourages on-going reflective and collaborative communication.

Provides instructional consistency from one grade to the next.

4. Assessment

Baseline (First week of School)

Mini-Benchmark Assessments (Regularly)

Interim Assessment (October)

Interim Assessment (December)

FCAT (March & April)

5. Data Analysis

After Every Assessment Data must be gathered Analyzed by grade, period and student Goals must be set according to strengths &

weaknesses

6. Interventions

SES tutoring ELL tutoring Middle School Enrichment Tutoring Intensive Mathematics Classes Intensive Reading Classes Homeroom interventions

Students in the lowest 25% have been grouped in homeroom to receive interventions and work using Compass Learning

Students in the “bubble” group are together in homeroom receiving interventions from the specially selected teacher.

NO EXCUSES!!!!!!

It starts with us! We are a C school. We worked hard, but we

need to work smarter, together and more positively.

Our students come to us unprepared and lacking basic manners, it is up to us to teach them and motivate them.