Overview: McKinleyville Middle School

A 2006 National "School–to–Watch"

7th grade classroom

McKinleyville Middle School, which serves grades 6–8, has developed a collaborative model in which special education is included in all aspects of the general education program. The special education learning disabled students are integrated into the general education classes, ranging from core curriculum to extracurricular activities. General education classes are scheduled so that RSP students are placed in pods to facilitate support. General education teachers either team teach with an RSP teacher or are supported by a paraprofessional.

The teachers spend a considerable amount of time facilitating and building a positive classroom environment where everyone is accepted and recognized, regardless of their strengths or areas needing improvement.

8th grade classroom

IEP students and those general education students identified as needing additional support have the opportunity to attend Academic Support classes. These classes focus on providing pre-teaching and re-teaching of core concepts and homework support. Our motto at McKinleyville Middle is “Lower Frustrations, Not Expectations” for all students.

We carefully planned out the timelines and processes for implementing an integrated, collaborative program. We began small, with one eighth grade teacher and a group of fifteen integrated resource students. We reflected, received input from parents, students and teachers, and each year, kept expanding our program to where it is today.

The 2006-2007 school year brought the implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) program in 7th and 8th grade in the area of reading. All 7th and 8th graders are assessed using core curriculum Entry Point assessment, Read Naturally and San Diego Quick, as well as review of STAR data. Students are placed in Intensive, Strategic or Benchmark based on reading need. Teachers meet weekly during common prep to discuss curriculum scope and sequence at all tiers and “how” the curriculum is going to be taught. Intensive tier also utilizes REACH program for remediation. Students tier placements are reevaluated weekly based on progress monitoring.