From Junior High to High School Planning for a Successful - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

From Junior High to High School

Planning for a Successful Transition

October 29, 2019

Freshman Course Placement

⚫ Considerations for Placement

⚫ PSAT 8/9 Testing

⚫ Timeline for the Placement Process ⚫ Content Assessments

⚫ Various support programs

Considerations for Placement

1) 8th Grade NBJH Teacher Input

⚫ Independent Work Habits ⚫ Timely Work Completion ⚫ Self-advocacy Skills ⚫ Participation/In-Class Contributions ⚫ Problem Solving/Critical Thinking Skills

2) Classroom Performance/Grades

3) Standardized Testing

⚫ PSAT 8/9 (early November); (may look at MAP, IAR if

needed)

PSAT 8/9

• Part of the College Board’s SAT suite of assessments
• Scoring breakdown

○ Total score: 240-1440 ○ Two section scores: 120-720 (ERW, Math) ○ Three test scores: 6-36 (Reading, Writ&Lang, Math) ○ Two cross-test scores: 6-36 (Analysis in SS/Hist & Sci) ○ Six subscores: 1-15 (2 Rdg, 2 Writ&Lang, 2 Math)

• 8th Grade benchmark scores

○ Evidence-based Reading & Writing: 390 ○ Math: 430

• PSAT.org/8-9 provides much more information!

Placement Process Timeline

⚫ DECEMBER/JANUARY

⚫ 8th grade teachers meet with GBN IS’s (Dec/Jan) ⚫ GBN counselors meet with NBJH students to discuss the

transition on January 8, 2020 during X-Block

⚫ Academic Curriculum Meeting for parents and students

• n January 16, 2020 at 6:30 pm

⚫ PSAT 8/9 results and course recommendations are

e-mailed to each student’s home on January 17, 2020

⚫ Information/forms regarding the content assessments

will be made available electronically on January 17, 2020 (in course recs email)

Placement Process Timeline

⚫ JANUARY/FEBRUARY

⚫ Request for content assessment forms due to GBN by

January 29, 2020

⚫ Questions regarding this information should be directed

to the high school instructional supervisors

⚫ 8th grade students visit GBN on January 30, 2020 to

meet with counselors and complete the registration process

⚫ Activity/Athletics Meeting for parents/students on

January 30, 2020 at 6:45 pm

⚫ GBN departments administer content assessments

February 3-7, 2020

Various support programs

⚫ Academy program

⚫ English, Social Studies and World Language (French) ⚫ 30 freshmen – roughly 15 GBS, 15 GBN ⚫ Application/writing sample/interview process ⚫ AM classes – alternates sites b/t GBN and GBS

Various support programs

⚫ G level classes (limited to Math and Spanish)

⚫ Content coverage similar, but perhaps less depth ⚫ Smaller class size; often a teacher and assistant ⚫ General education

⚫ Team classes

⚫ English and SS: co-taught w/ 3rd special ed teacher ⚫ Biology: co-taught w/ a special ed teacher ⚫ Algebra: co-taught w/ spec ed; meets daily (90-45) ⚫ General education ⚫ Team classes are phased out by junior year

Various support programs

• Guided Studies (GS)

○ Focus on improving executive functioning skills ○ Earn credit toward graduation ○ Replaces and elective class

• Reading Skill Development (RSD)

○ Taught by English teachers ○ Focus on supporting reading across the curriculum ○ Earn credit toward graduation ○ Replaces an elective class

Ensuring a Successful Transition

⚫ Why is the transition to ninth grade difficult for many

students?

⚫ Educational environment changes dramatically ⚫ Rules and routines are unfamiliar ⚫ Students may lose a sense of school attachment and connectedness,

at least temporarily

⚫ Heavier workload and increased pressure to do well ⚫ Increased social-emotional stressors

Ensuring a Successful Transition

⚫ What traits in middle school youth appear to be

related to a successful transition?

⚫ Strong academic achievement, good school attendance and a sense of

scholastic competence;

⚫ Strong time-management, planning and study skills; ⚫ Healthy strategies for coping with problems/challenging situations; ⚫ Accurate expectations about high school and what is needed to be successful; ⚫ Effective strategies for achieving a balanced academic and social life.

Ensuring a Successful Transition

• What can middle schools (and parents) do to ease the

transition to high school?

⚫ Strengthen academic performance, behaviors and

attitudes

⚫ Get involved and stay connected! Review all the clubs,

activities and sports offered at GBN

⚫ Stay informed during the process – attend informational

meetings, review the GBN handouts, ask questions

Questions?