1) Davidson Middle School in San Rafael, California has been focusing on program improvement for the past 5 years through data analysis, intervention programs, and strategic planning. 2) The school is committed to supporting all students and implementing best practices such as increasing instruction time, collaboration among teachers, and establishing clear behavioral expectations. 3) Moving forward, the school will re-examine its homework policies and establish school-wide standards to better serve students and prepare them for high school requirements.

1. Taking Center Stage Davidson Middle School SAN RAFAEL CITY SCHOOLS

2. The BIG Picture City of San Rafael Vibrant & Diverse Community San Rafael City Schools Roadmap to the Future Board Priorities Guide our collective work

3. Where We Have Been Program Improvement Years 1-5 Focused Attention Staff Engagement & Attention Data Review & Analysis Intervention Programs 2007-2008 - A Year of Ideas & Planning 2008-2009 - A Year of Action

4. Are we on the right track? No person or group to “blame” - not the staff, not the kids Identify our areas of success (data) What IS NOT working? Strategic data driven instructional decisions EVERY student by name What are the BEST PRACTICES we must use?

5. 2008-2009 • The Road Ahead Increased instructional minutes for students Intervention/Enrichment within the school day Structured Collaboration Time Increased prep time for teachers

6. GETTING ON BOARD… Reaffirm a safe & orderly school environment School-wide plan Clear, consistent expectations for students in classrooms and on-site Specific incentives & consequences Reinforced by all consistently

7. Pro-social Environment High investment in student:teacher relationships - dignity & respect for all Students receive praise, encouragement, recognition for academic and non-academic accomplishments Supporting students is at the center of what is done at the school Positive relationships abound (staff, kids, parents, community)

8. Strong belief, commitment and support of EVERY student at DMS What does that mean to you? Do you truly believe this statement? What does this mean for “those” students? Can you embody this statement in your day-to-day work?

9. STRONG commitment to DMS Will do WHATEVER IT TAKES! Modification of instructional day Enrichment/Intervention Collaboration time Essential learnings - benchmark assessments Rigor, relevance, relationships

10. NO Excuses Program Improvement Years 1-5 Something has to give… We must re-examine and re-think what we are doing We are not getting the results we desire This is not about SCORES it is about KIDS We must prepare ALL kids for A-G requirements

11. HARD WORK AHEAD… Re-examine DMS homework policies as compared to Board Policy, school policy, individual teacher expectations. We will establish school-wide standards, expectations & guidelines (credit, make-up work, fairness) Involve staff, parents, district staff, Board members in the conversation