Making Choices for Excellence
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Transcript of Making Choices for Excellence
Making Choices
for Excellence
EAST AURORA SCHOOL DISTRICT 131
•A magnet school concept-
•“School within a School”
Magnet Academies
•Beginning in August 2008 w/:
•5th grade
•8th grade
•9th grade
•Focus areas: Math, Science, and Technology
•Design of Magnet Academies is based on the results of a community survey…
DISTRICT 131 PROPOSAL
Focus Area Dual Language
(Span/Eng)
Gifted & Talented
Visual & Performing Arts
Science, Math, Technology
Responses
MAGNET SCHOOL SURVEYThe Magnet Academy Design Team designed and conducted a survey to guide the development of the East Aurora Magnet Academies model.
The survey:
•was distributed randomly to parents and students at elementary & secondary
•Polled interest level of students and parents and themes for the school
•275 responses were received
•The interest level was overwhelmingly positive and the results of the theme selection are as follows:
17% 25% 26% 32%
I. SITES
II.STUDENTS
III.TEACHERS
IV.CURRICULUM
V.TIMELINE
MAGNET ACADEMY
OVERVIEW
To accommodate space needs for the Magnet Academy during the 2008-2009 school year, three different sites will be used to house the programs:
•5th grade: O’Donnell Elementary School
•8th grade: East Aurora Middle School Campus
•9th grade: East Aurora High School
SITES
STUDENTS
STUDENT SELECTION FOR THE 2008-2009 SCHOOL YEAR:
•150 STUDENTS
•50 – 5TH GRADERS
•50 – 8TH GRADERS
•50 – 9TH GRADERS
CRITERIA FOR QUALIFICATION•MEETS OR EXCEEDS
ON STATE TESTS
•CURRENT 131 STUDENT
•COMPLETES THE APPLICATION PROCESS
APPLICATION PROCESS
•PART I: COMPLETE APPLICATION
•BASIC INFORMATION
•ESSAY QUESTIONS
•TEACHER RECOMMENDATION
•COUNSELOR/ADMIN RECOMM.
•DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 14, 2008
•PART II: APPLICATION REVIEW & RUBRIC
•MAGNET TEAM REVIEWS APPLICATIONS
•MAGNET RUBRIC:
•Application, Evaluations, Grades, Standardized Tests
•PART III: LOTTERY SELECTION (if needed)
50 -5th
50 -8th
50 -9th
LOTTERY SELECTIONIf over 50 qualified applications are received for any grade level, a lottery system will be used to select the students:
•All names will be entered in the drawing
•The drawing will be held publicly for each grade level with applicants as invited audience members
•After 50 students are selected, a waiting list will be formulated via the lottery system
5 YEAR PROJECTION PLAN
YEAR 1: 2008 – 2009
•MAGNET ACADEMIES
•150 STUDENTS
•GRADES: 5, 8, & 9
•YEAR 5: 2012-2013
•MAGNET SCHOOL
•550+ STUDENTS
•GRADES: K-12
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE FIVE YEAR MODEL:
2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
K-2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12Total
50
50
50
150
50
50
50
50
50
50
300
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
450
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
550
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
550
STAFF
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
•Standard Teaching Certificate
•Highly Qualified by State & Federal Req.
•Five years of Teaching in District 131
•Masters or enrolled in Masters Program
•Strong working knowledge of technology
•Evidence of continued Professional Dev.
•Teacher Leadership Experience
•Flexibility w/ working at different sites
•Background in Gifted Ed preferred
The Teachers and Staff in the Magnet Academies will be the
driving force behind its success!
The positions will be:
• in the 5th, 8th, and 9th grades
• open to District 131 current staff members
• posted January 15, 2008
•Deadline: February 15, 2008
• interviewed by a qualified team of administrators
• finalized by March 1, 2008
CURRICULUMThe curriculum will be designed for the inquisitive student who is looking for an adventure in exploring, discovering, and learning in the following areas of concentration:
•SCIENCE
•MATHEMATICS
•TECHNOLOGY
The core of Science, Mathematics and Technology, combined with the other subject areas, will encourage students to:
•Solve problems through critical thinking
•Extensively use the scientific method
•Analytically manipulate models in modern mathematics and scientific laboratories
•Apply technology across disciplines
TIMELINE
•January 14 Presentation to Board Curriculum Committee
•January 15 Teacher Job Postings
•January 22 Magnet Committee Mtg.
•January 23 Release Applications to the Public
•February 4 Magnet Academy Kick-Off: 5:00p-6:30p at SSC
•February 5 Professional Development & Curriculum Writing Begins
•February 14 Student Applications are Due
•February 15 Interviews for Teachers Begin
•February 15-26 Student Selection Begins w/ Lottery Plan (if necessary)
•March 1 Teacher Selection Finalized
•March 1 Student Selection Finalized
•August 25 First Day of School
QUESTIONS/ COMMENTS
Making Choices
for Excellence
EAST AURORA SCHOOL DISTRICT 131