Newport News Public Schools Urban Systemic Program

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Newport News Public Schools Urban Systemic Program
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The STEP.com program is funded through a
Cooperative Agreement between NNPS and The
National Science Foundation The period of
performance of this Agreement is September 1,
2000 through August 31, 2005.
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Objectives of the Agreement To stimulate reform
efforts that will result in dramatic improvement
inthe K-12 science, mathematics, and technology
(SMT) programs.STEP.com has emphasized
technology integration and training and
supporting mathematics and science teachers
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COMPONENTS OF STEP.com
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STEP.com Resource Teachers have provided the
following resources for math and science

• Coaching and mentoring ALL teachers, with a
  greater emphasis placed on support of NEW
  teachers
• Performing Classroom Observations
• Performing follow-up visits
• Co-teaching in the classroom with
• teachers

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• Conducting student sessions to increase use of
  the scientific process
• Conducting workshops for teachers

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An example of data supporting the effectiveness
of the Resource Teachers

• The STEP.com Elementary School Science
  Resource Teacher provided one to one assistance
  in 2003-2004 to teachers in twelve elementary
  schools. Sixteen elementary schools received no
  assistance.
• The average gain in third grade science scores
  in the schools receiving assistance was 8.4.
• The average gain in fifth grade science scores
  in the schools receiving assistance was 21.1.

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The program sponsored informational sessions for
parents Family Night at Crittenden Middle
School
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Reservoir Middle School also had an excellent
turnout for their Family night
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STEP.com has created and maintained the STEP.com
Website.This site provides teachers with

• Curriculum guides
• Calendar of events
• Lesson Plans/ PowerPoint
• Presentations
• WebQuests
• SOL Resources
• Content specific resources

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The STEP.com website can be accessed by going to
the followinghttp//step.nn.k12.va.us
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The program has supported additional teacher
training by

• Paying teacher stipends to
• encourage teachers to attend
• training sessions
• Providing funding for teachers to
• attend regional, state, and national
• conferences (including AVID, AP,
• and Technology sessions)

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• Sponsoring presenters from outside of the
  district to train teachers on effective teaching
  strategies
• The STEP.com Program Sponsored a Workshop by
  Dinah Zike , known internationally for her work
  with Foldables (a type of graphic organizer
  that has proven to be a very effective teaching
  tool in working with ALL students)

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Over 900 math, science, and special education
teachers attended the presentations
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Student data supports the effectiveness of the
STEP.com program in providing resources and
training that have improved math, science and
technology in NNPS

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Table 9. Percentage of Students Achieving a
Passing Score on VA SOL in Science and
Mathematics over Four Years from 1999-2000 to
2003-2004
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The achievement gap has been reduced in ALL
areas of math and science
Table 11. Change in the Percentage Point
Difference in the Passing Rates on the VA SOL in
Science and Mathematics from 1999-2000 to
2003-2004.
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The Number of High School Higher Level Course
Completers has increased in Science and
Mathematics The table below shows the number of
students that received a grade of C or higher
over Four Years from 1999-2000 to 2003-2004
Course 1999-2000
2003-2004 Completer

Completed Completed
Difference
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• There has been improvement in AP exam results in
  mathematics.
• The chart below shows a comparison between the
  two largest student subgroups tested
• Course 1999-2000
  2003-2004 Change in Student
• 
  
  Numbers

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Math and science teacher participation in
professional development activities has more than
tripled. New teachers averaged 172 hours of
professional development last year.As a result,
new math and science teacher retention rates have
increased in those teachers receiving support
from resource teachers in their first year of
teaching.
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The STEP.com Program has been supported by an
Advisory Board of members from the community,
including local museums, businesses, and
universities. They have provided numerous
teacher and student opportunities at their
facilities. With their help, the program was
able to recruit student teachers by offering a
special stipend. This program resulted in
permanent positions for most of the students.
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The goal of NSF in presenting the award that
funded STEP.com was that the district would
create a premier K-12 learning environment, done
in a way that would be scalable and sustainable,
that would lead to a full-scale implementation of
a SMT program for all students. Positive
Results100 of the middle and high schools and
93 of the elementary schoolsachieved full
accreditation in math and science last
year(2003-2004)
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Looking Ahead

• An extension of funding has been requested from
  NSF that would allow the program to continue to
  provide workshops, maintain the website, and
  provide limited services of resource teachers
  through June, 2006.
• Funding has been requested from Title II funds to
  continue coaches and resource teacher positions.
• Mathematics and science supervisors will continue
  to provide training for teachers.
• The New Teacher Academy, The T2T Program, and
  other Title II funding will continue to provide
  support for new teachers.
• Technology Curriculum Integration Specialists
  will continue the progress made in technology
  integration.
• The Algebra Readiness Initiative will provide
  funding for additional support in Mathematics.