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) 8 th 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 on 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 ⚫ 8 th 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/ 3 rd 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?