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"How To Study in the CORE 4" One-pager.  AVID students could generate these and we can compile ideas. Maybe look at student generated samples in a staff mtg or ILT or dept chair to guide a final project to output ideas

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NJHS tutoring hours on non-tutor days?

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"Buy In"
I think it's very important to  present AVID in a different light--that it is not a "secret society" or "a curriculum for the privileged."  Teachers need to know that AVID is another academic class these kids are taking; they are sacrificing an elective in preparation for college/ career and to become better scholars.  So why not borrow/ emulate AVID's strategies and use them for our general population when evidence shows success?

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Study skills...
Students do not know how to study; they think completing a review worksheet constitutes studying. And if they know how, they won't do so because it's too much work to memorize facts, use flashcards, re-copy notes, practice doing more math problems etc.
Suggestions:
Each department can come up with the best studying methods for that content and practice those methods in the classroom for the first semester.  (studying for math is different from studying for science or history or English).  Second semester, students can study independently once they know how or once they've seen the benefits of studying.

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C-Notes

AVID students take amazing C-Notes!  Those who have been trained, take organized, focused notes.
Note-taking is an essential skill students need for school as well as the workplace.

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Peer tutors?

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Planners

All students are required to write in their planners. It is the first thing they see when they walk in. Unfortunately, students are not recording for all of their classes. We then need to ask what is the purpose of the planner? In addition to that, do planners increase test scores and understanding? If we are to give them away for free, are there interactive activities/ assignments to go with the planners to hold students accountable for using the planners?  In AVID, planners are checked weekly. Are teachers willing to incorporate this into their grades?

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Data:
Our AVID students' scores are absolutely impressive compared to district's as well as our general population.  What skills and supports are our AVID students receiving that enable them to do better? I believe that the tutorials and the tutors contribute to this success. The tutorials support students on so many levels; the smaller group discussions lower their fear/ anxiety of asking questions in class (especially in math).  The relationship they have with the tutors is also special.  Our tutors were in the AVID program and they are proof that AVID can help them.  In addition to that, informally, the tutors act as their mentors/ coaches who nudge them to do better.  So how can we give our general population this same experience?

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How can we help these students? Are they automatically put into a tutoring class? Is there a way to get them a study skills class? There has to be a way to reach them too. I worry because at the beginning of the year, the students are just a name. There's so much going on and it takes us a while to realize who they are.

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The key to this is buy-in.  we need to present it as a team and then figure out what it is that we can conquer together.  What's most important for our students to be successful?

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I agree with what everyone is saying.  We invest a lot of money into the planner, but I think we need to take the time to "teach" them how to use them.  I know that I am strong with this at the beginning of the year with my ELA courses, but then it is eventually left up to the students.  I could do better at following up with this.  We need to show them how important their planner can/should be to them.

I also think the basic note taking  "inservice" at the beginning of the year was a good thing for our 7th graders. I can definitely notice a difference between this year and last. It just sets a basic expectation for our students.

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I like your ideas here...

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If we divide it amongst us as departments then it may would appear to be more manageable.

Plus, the first week we are all setting expectations of what we want from our students so it shouldn't be that different.

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I agree with Aparicio, the acceleration rates in Math specifically have definitely contributed to the D/F rates. Unfortunately, until all of the standards are fully implemented and normalized, we will probably see an increase in those specific content areas.

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I agree with Mike in that we need to as a school come up with a plan to bridge the gap for our incoming 7th graders.  Coming from elementary I can see how some of the students are unable to keep up  with the pace which may cause them to perform poorly.

What about having the first week of school dedicated to the necessary skills to be successful in 7-12.  We can divide and conquer as as a school if each department choose something to focus on (binder, Aeries, notetaking, etc.)

In elementary, there are several students that are given informal support but are not qualified so when they transition to Intermediate, they are left to their own devices. Perhaps, Christine can ask for the list of students from the elementary feeder schools so that we can immediately target them.

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General question/point to ponder: It will be important that all staff buy into this... I can already hear "but I am a/an _______ teacher and I have content. How do we get buy in from the staff?

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I agree with Mike. In fact, I am currently looking at our 7th graders who are at risk of not commencing (<1.0). I will share with teachers now and at the beginning of the year.

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I believe over acceleration rates in math are contributing to D and F rate. Our assessment data is currently a reversed bell curve. Math 8 team has worked hard this year to create lessons and assessments that meet the needs of both struggling and advanced students. It looks like Avid tutorials have been effective when compared to school wide...good to see.

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I like your idea of schoolwide as that is our goal... It's not simply about what we do in AVID, but how do we reproduce for the benefit of ALL students.  AH HA Moment... studying might look different for different cores!

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Observations: Our rates are better in all categories when compared to District averages (mostly). =) Students struggling in Math and Science... Most of the tutorials students select are math related with Science a close second place. So they are choosing to get help in the areas they need. Ways to improve studying would fit here too...

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We have used study skills as a goal in past years for AVID.  We could revisit....  Randy & I were talking about having a student generated "How to Study in the Core 4" type of one-pager.  Maybe we could revisit this as a goal again for AVID and school wide

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Great point... Even in AVID students struggle to "study" It would be great to identify some schoolwide strategies to teach ALL students HOW to study.

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*We need to make a schoolwide effort of building a bridge for our 7th grade students in areas of study and organizational skills. I think, most 7th grade students are overwhelmed going from 1 or 2 teachers to 5 or 6 teachers.  We need to show them what it takes to be a successful intermediate school student.

*We need to start each year making sure all students have an Aeries account to better monitor their grades.

*After the 1st quarter: an "at risk" list needs to be created for struggling 7th graders. We then need to come up with a plan to better support their areas of weakness. I think, many of them are left unnoticed and a cycle of failure is created which carries on to their 8th grade year.

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Your thoughts here for positive discussion. What are your thoughts on the data. What looks good? How do we get better in AVID... How do we get better schoolwde?

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