Overview: McKinleyville Middle School
A 2006 National "School–to–Watch"
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.
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| 8th grade classroom |
7th 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.
After much research, multiple school visitations, and extensive planning, McKinleyville Middle School decided to entirely change its schedule to an academy model starting in August 2009. This gives the students more math minutes and enrichment/intervention classes in reading and math four days a week. The students have four blocks consisting of the core academic content areas: language arts, math, social studies and science. Students see all if their core teachers every Monday. On Tuesday thru Friday students attend core classes either Tuesday/Thursday or Wednesday/Friday in double blocks of heterogeneous groups, which provides more in-depth instruction and project-based teaching. Students also attend enrichment/intervention classed four days a week. These homogenous groups allow teachers to assess and teach students at their level for both math and reading. The enrichment/intervention classes are to support ALL students with their academic needs in these two subject areas. Classes are flexible and students will change teachers and groups throughout the year based on different groupings: skill level, interest, etc, Preteaching and reteaching are just one of the focus of our enrichment classes.
All academy teachers have a common collaboration planning time daily. During this time, the students are in their Creative Elements academy (P. E. and an elective). The Creative Elements academy also meets daily for collaboration. During collaboration, teachers are sharing curriculum for enrichment classes discussing students needs, voicing concerns, and sharing agendas. Students may also be called in to re-take assessments, discuss behavior concerns, receive re-teaching, or make up absence work. IEP;s, 504's and SST's are also scheduled during this collaborative time.
Last updated: 06/09/2010