2. The 9th grade Transition Team
• We meet Monthly (Tuesday)
• Members represent every aspect of the Faculty—13
Members
• Very Diverse Team (Experience varies)
• Great Relationship with middle school
3. Goals
• Decrease the number of failures in 9th grade
• Provide a systematic process to prevent confusion
• Discipline
• Increase parental involvement Communication
4. Where did we start?
• We meet before school ended to
just introduce ourselves and
discuss expectations
• Set up Edmodo--Team members
could review articles and videos
in regards to 9th graders during
June-July 2013
• Met during pre-planning
5. Phase 1
• Met July 2013
• Set Meeting Norms & Roles
• Discusses objectives and function of Focus team
• Looked at previous years data
• Discussed the need to develop strategies to help with transition
• Revised common syllabi, supply lists, communication log & agenda—
Meet with all teachers who taught Freshman
• Recognition & Celebrations
6. Phase 2
• Develop a system that will allow continued
discussion among team members: Google Docs,
Todays Meet and Edmodo
• Looked at Failures after first 9 weeks and re-
evaluated procedures in place since August 2013
• Emphasized communication with parents
7. Phase 3
• Discussed Blended Learning and Personalized Learning—
start looking at strategies and dispel the myths
• Project-based Learning & Service Learning
• Started planning for 2014-15 school
• Continue system of Communication with the Middle School
• Start Building capacity among team members
8. Accomplishments
• Begin to see teacher having meaning discussions and sharing
strategies
• Failures Rate in Math dropped from 37% (2012-13) to 14% (2013-14)
added Math Coach who is on Focus Team—works closely with 9th
grade teachers—changed thinking Math Dept.
• Drop in Behavior Referrals-(2012-13)-434 behavior referrals (2013-14)
329 behavior referrals—among 9th graders
• Use of Common Syllabi, Supply Lists, Notebooks, Communication tool
and Agenda
9. Challenges
• Limited Meeting time
• Teachers are involved in other activities both
professionally and personally
• The concepts of focus teams and 9th grade
transition are new to most of the teachers
• Professional Learning in Analyzing Data
