Wydown Middle School, (Clayton, MO). Wydown Middle School prides itself on being a top-performing school in Missouri; however, we have struggled with closing the opportunity gaps for our African American students. After we set goals, we evaluated systems and structures, and prioritized immediate actions. We hosted evening fishbowl conversations with parents about their experiences. We Read More
Della Davidson Elementary School, (Oxford, MS). Della Davidson Elementary School (DDES) serves students in third and fourth grades in departmentalized, differentiated classes. Our priority is to focus our instruction to best support and challenge students academically while encouraging students to be resilient in the pursuit of academic success. One of the ways DDES implements academic Read More
Francis Howell High School, (St. Charles, MO). Francis Howell High School values the learning and achievement of every student. This is evident through the implementation of researched-based instructional strategies, individualized student interventions, and high quality assessments used to monitor student learning. All incoming freshmen students participate in a nationally normed reading assessment to inform tier Read More
Saint Theresa Catholic School, (Sugar Land, Texas). Using the Singapore math method, Saint Teresa Catholic School employs a Concrete, Pictorial, and Abstract (CPA) progression in mathematics instruction emphasizing number bonds, bar modeling, and mental math. This progression enables students to master concepts by stages. Beginning in PreK through grade three, the school teaches mathematics in Read More
New York City District 15c Brooklyn, NY Customization is the byword at PS 172, Beacon School of Excellence. Led by Principal Jack Spatola and Assistant Principal Erika Gundersen, Beacon teachers revisit and revise curricula throughout the year to meet students’ needs. In the video, teachers Maria DiRosa and Angela Ventura also describe Integrated Co-Teaching, which Read More
Beaumont, CA Principal Lauren Kinney explains how explicit, direct interactive instruction (DII) engages students in active conversations and learning, and teachers Jennifer Tillson and Tracy Waters demonstrate how kinesthetic learning helps students retain knowledge and stay engaged in learning. A student reflects on teaching another student as part of an innovative, statewide RTI intervention that Read More
While only students with 2.5 GPAs are accepted to this academic magnet school, the high standards can challenge even formerly high-achieving students. Guidance staff offer a sixth-grade support program to help struggling students form relationships and learn study skills and organization. A Positive Behavior Intervention program helps students learn appropriate school behaviors. Parent involvement is Read More