Organization Interview Assessment by Emily Johnson44

Purpose

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:41:49 UTC

Medford High School serves around 900 students every day. The High School principal, Jennifer Ford, is a leader who is involved is assessments of students. She has served the school since 2022, and previously served another school as Social Worker/counselor. The purpose of this assignment is to interview an organizational leader associated with assessment.

Mission of the Organization

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:42:00 UTC

The Mission of Medford Public Schools is to provide quality education and prepare our children and community for the future

Identify Grades Served

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:42:24 UTC

Ms. Jennifer Ford serves Medford Middle and High School as principal.

Funding

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:42:45 UTC

We are funded primarily though tax dollars relocated to K-12 funding. The funding for assessments comes from a variety of pots within the finding- Special Education funding, as well as title one funding and other pots.

Referred?

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:43:03 UTC

Depending on the situation, students referred in a variety of ways. All students in 7th, 8th, 9th, and 11th grades are asked to take state level standardized assessments each year. We also do benchmark academic testing with the majority of students in grades 7-10 several times a year. Some special education students are exempted form those assessments Finally, if there are academic concerns students can be referred to MTSS and or Special Education for additional assessment.

Services?

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:43:12 UTC

Results form the assessments we give students provide valuable information to help both inform teacher instruction and to refer on to other services like academic intervention, gifted/talented services, etc.

Healing/ Resiliency

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:43:27 UTC

Currently, Medford does not use any social emotional screeners or assessments that would measure healing or resiliency. Learning is measured through the data obtained by both the summative assessments listed previously and the formative assessments teachers do in the classroom.

Are the assessment trauma informed?

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:43:50 UTC

At the time, the assessments would not be classified as trauma informed. That is an area that will be improved moving forward with a trauma informed training in August before the beginning of the school year.

How to people qualify for services?

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:44:18 UTC

Many times, students qualify via concerns noted by teachers and staff. however parents are also a huge part of the process. Parents can contact any staff member with their concerns and those concerns can be forwarded on to the various teams and structures within the school aimed at helping students. Generally, each is a team approach - grade level teams, department teams, MTSS teams, etc.

Describe relationship between school and community resources

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 11:44:38 UTC

Our student serves staff does a wonderful job at working with families to connect the community resources including helping families connect/access resources for housing, food assistance, medical assistance, clothing, school supplies, and transportation. Additionally, our special education department and student services work with multiple of outside agencies to connect students and families with transition resources, employment opportunities etc. Finally, we partner with United Way and several other organizations/agencies to work with students regarding attendance and other issues as they arise.

Cover Page

johnsone44 — 2024-07-22 12:16:52 UTC