This document discusses strategies implemented at Brogden and Carrington Middle Schools in Durham, North Carolina to improve the transition to 6th grade. Brogden utilized parent surveys to gather feedback and involve parents in leading school tours. Carrington implemented a summer bridge program to acclimate students to the larger middle school setting and collect diagnostic data. Both schools analyzed student performance data to identify at-risk students and inform intervention programs. The schools shared lessons learned and next steps, which included continuing and expanding on successful programs and strategies.

1. Improving the Sixth Grade Transition for
Middle School Students
Brogden and Carrington Middle Schools
Durham Public Schools
4/10/2014 1
2014 North Carolina Association for
Middle Level Educators Conference (NCAMLE)
March 17, 2014
Ms. Holly Emanuel Ms. LaTonya Smith Dr. J. Brent Cooper

2. 2
What are the top 3
questions/challenges you
have about 6th Grade
middle school reform ?
Write your answer on an
index card.

3. Improving the Sixth Grade Transition for
Middle Grades Students
PURPOSE
Discuss strategies and programs implemented to improve the
6th grade transition at two Durham Middle Schools, Brogden
and Carrington Middle.
3

4. Sample
4
Brogden Middle
687 students
Carrington
Middle
1200 students

5. Brogden MS
Instructional Focus Area
5
Leadership
Development

6. Carrington MS
Instructional Focus Area
6
Global
Connections

7. Methodology
Strategies for Improving the 6th Grade
Transition
Brogden MS Carrington MS
Survey/Communication Task Force Summer Bridge
Summer Camps Rising 6th Grade Parent Nights
Rising 6th Grade Tours Rising 6th Grade Tours
6th Grade Expo
7

8. Brogden MS
Strategies and Programs
8
Incoming 6th
Grade Parent
Survey

9. 9
Involve Parents in
the 6th Grade
Transition
Process
Incoming 6th Grade
Parent Survey
Objectives
Encourage Parent
Involvement
Develop Strategies to
Improve the 6th Grade
Transition Based on
Survey Data

10. Brogden MS
10

11. Carrington MS
11
Summer
Bridge

12. 12
Small Group
Acclimation to a
Large Middle
School
Summer Bridge
Program
Objectives
Gather Diagnostic
Information on
Incoming 6th Graders
Foster 6th Grader
Leadership
Development

13. Data-to-Action: Carrington MS
13
Data-
Driven
Strategies
Scholastic
Reading
Inventory
Reading Scholastic
Reading
Inventory
Math
NC Ready
Data
Cumulative
Assessment
Data
Academic
Enrichment
Days
Academic
Intervention
Days

14. Data-to-Action: Carrington MS
14
CMS
Data-Driven
Collaborative
Team
CMS Admin
Team
Instructional
Facilitator
RtI
Facilitator
AIG
Facilitator
Global
Connections
Facilitator
Team
Leaders

15. Recommendations
Brogden MS
15
• Involve Parents! They know how to spread
the world and they know what’s best for their
child.
• Parents organizing and leading school tours.

16. Recommendations
Carrington MS
16
• Explore the possibility of establishing a
Summer Bridge type program at your middle
school.
• Develop strategies and programs that best fit
the context of your middle school as there is
not a best fit model for the 6th grade transition
for all school contexts.

17. Lessons Learned
Brogden MS
• Start Early!
• Touch Bases Often…revisit practices
• Communication really is Crucial (different
modes)
17

18. Lessons Learned
Carrington MS
18
• Data analysis revealed the potential positive
effects of the Summer Bridge Program at
Carrington MS.
• Explore the possibilities of creating a Master
Schedule which allows for the implementation
of academic enrichment and academic
intervention days.

19. Next Steps
Brogden MS
19
• Develop another Parent survey.
• Prepare for summer camp.
• Print post cards for a 6th grade Meet the
Principal Summer Meeting.
• Organize a summer reading to align with
Leader In Me focus.
• Continue to schedule school tours.

20. Next Steps
Carrington MS
20
• Continue the Summer Bridge Program due to
its research based past success.
• Examine strategies discussed in the initial
Focus Middle School Meeting at Carrington in
the winter 2014 for potential positive
strategies to improve the 6th grade transition
at Carrington MS.

21. Discussion
21
How is your middle or K-8 school currently
trying to improve the 6th grade transition?

22. Contact Information
22
Ms. Holly Emanuel, Principal,
Carrington Middle School
Holly.emanuel@dpsnc.net
Ms. LaTonya Smith, Principal
Brogden Middle School
LaTonya.Smith@dpsnc.net
Dr. J. Brent Cooper
Data Analyst, Program Evaluator, and
Coordinator of Surveys and Research
Jason.cooper@dpsnc.net