Overview: Valley View Middle School
Valley View has an extensive collaborative program that continues to meet the needs of all students. Staff at all grade levels have been identified and have agreed to team with our resource and special day class teachers to include students with disabilities, English-language learners and at-risk students They offer a program within the general education classroom with support from the special education department to modify and accommodate the needs of the students. Instructional assistants are also available to assist students. Intervention classes during the school day in English and math offer the students below basic and far below basic a companion support class to help students achieve grade-level standards.
Collaboration extends to cross-curricular areas as well. The English department partnered with the PE Science and Math departments this year to implement school-wide writing activities and assessments. Faculty meetings included departmental presentations to enhance school-wide understanding of departmental focus activities, For example, the Special Ed department presented techniques for accommodation and modification.
We have instituted a school-wide reading comprehension program using the Accelerated Reader materials. In 2003-04, we piloted the program in three classrooms and saw a year or more reading growth with our students, Currently all students participated in our AR program through our English classes. Students then choose reading materials based on their identified reading levels. After completing a book they take Accelerated Reader comprehension tests. There are over 100,000 books in the Accelerated Reader quiz bank. We are seeing students increase their reading comprehension scores by a year or more growth. Science teachers, in order to support the school-wide focus on reading, set aside reading time weekly in their classrooms.
Additionally, many staff members have attended Kate Kinsella's staff development training, and we have implemented school wide academic vocabulary through all of our classes. In our department meetings, we talk about academic vocabulary and have chosen words for all staff to discuss in their classrooms. Staff members have also attended extended training on interpreting data from Accelerated Reader.
Staff is available before and after school to support all students with homework or class work. This year we collaborated with our local high school to provide after school homework support and tutoring twice a week for students needing additional help.
Last updated: 10/11/2010