Core Practices in Math & Science: An Investigation of Consistently Higher Performing Schools in Five States - The Linden School, Malden Public Schools (Massachusetts)9a4
PERFORMANCE AND PRACTICE ©2008 by ACT, Inc. All rights reserved. Core Practices in Math & Science: An Investigation of Consistently Higher Performing Schools in Five States The Linden School Malden Public Schools (Massachusetts) Introduction Since 1999, the National Center for Educational Achievement (NCEA) and its affiliated research teams have studied over 500 public schools across the country in an effort to identify and disseminate effective practices embraced by higher performing schools that distinguish their campuses from their average-performing peers. Building on the foundation established by this previous research, NCEA sought in the current study to focus specifically on educational practices in the areas of mathematics and science in five states: California, Florida, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Texas. Criteria used in school selection in the current study included three years of state assessment data in mathematics and science (2004, 2005, and 2006), campus demographic make-up, percentage of economically disadvantaged students, school size, and geographic location. In addition, all of the schools selected for participation met the state and federal requirements for Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2006. Schools categorized as higher performing based on the selection criteria were those “beating the odds” with consistently better student achievement over three years, when compared to peer campuses with a similar student population. Therefore, a list of the state’s highest performing schools may contain schools different from those selected for this study.1 In order to illuminate the roles of different members in a school community, for each selected school, NCEA researchers interviewed district-level administrators, school administrators, and classroom teachers. To supplement the interview data, researchers collected pertinent documents, observed secondary level algebra classes, and invited participants to take part in the NCEA Self-Assessment online. 1 For more detailed information about the school identification process and the list of higher performing schools included in the study, please see the full cross-case report at http://www.nc4ea.org. 2 District and School Profile The Malden Public Schools (Malden) serve 6,387 students in seven schools. Malden, Mass., is a small city of 58,000 located just outside Boston. Over half (52%) of district students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, and 10% are English language learners. The district’s stated mission is to provide a “safe and respectful learning environment that maximizes opportunities for success in career, citizenship, and life for our diverse student community.” The Linden School serves over 800 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, with separate principals overseeing elementary and secondary grade levels. The school enrolls a highly diverse student population: 44% of the students are White, 24% are Asian, 15% are Hispanic, and 12% are African-American. Just less than half (46%) of Linden students are eligible for free and reduced-price meals, and 11% are English language learners. Though the Linden School serves both elementary and secondary students, NCEA researchers chose the school for study participation based on the academic performance of students in the secondary grades (five through eight) only. As a strong proponent of higher standards, NCEA recognizes school efforts to move more students to the state’s higher standard of achievement by accounting for those students in the analysis of consistent higher performance. Tables 1 and 2 summarize performance at both the state’s proficient and advanced standards attained by the students at Linden for the years of 2004, 2005, and 2006. The state averages included in the tables represent student performance among Figure 1: Student Demographics Linden School12%15%1%44%4%24%% Afr i c a n Am e r i c a n% Asian% Hispanic% Native American% White% Other 3 schools with a student population similar to Linden, particularly based on the percentage of economically disadvantaged students. District leaders ensure that all schools teach an aligned, standards-based curriculum, while providing teachers the freedom to supplement the district curriculum based upon school- or classroom-specific needs. The Malden Public Schools are in the middle of a multi-year project to ensure that the district curriculum aligns tightly to the Massachusetts state curriculum framework. As a district administrator explained, “Our English Language Arts curriculum is in good shape, and we have new staff who are developing excellent literacy strategies. Math is on deck for further curriculum alignment this year, and the district science curriculum is already aligned.” Theme 1 Student Learning: Expectations & Goals 2004 2005 2006 Grade 6 7 8 6 7 8 6
