Middle School Schedule Revised Based on Academic Growth Data
Academic growth data, as tracked through the Pennsylvania Value Added Assessment System( PVAAS), was the impetus behind a change to the middle school schedule that went into effect in the 2015-16 school year. While student achievement is consistently high district-wide, PVAAS data has indicated that PV’ s proficient and advanced middle level students are not growing as expected in reading and math.
In response to this data, the middle school schedule was adjusted so that class periods would be longer for core instruction( from 45 minutes to 55 minutes), and a remediation / enrichment / music period, known as the Viking Block, was added to the beginning of the school day. These changes were based upon research and visits made to area high-performing school districts.
Behind the Data
In the year since the schedule changes were made, the middle schools have noticed some positive results, including a decrease in disciplinary issues, improved attendance, a more intentional use of classroom time, and increased connections among students and teachers through the Viking Block.
Perkiomen Valley Middle School East teacher Kim McFadden, who has run a Pay It Forward Club and a Creative Writing Club as Viking Block offerings, said starting the day with an enrichment period has been a terrific way for her to interact with students in a way that is different from her classroom teaching.
“ I really think it’ s a great and positive way for me to be involved with more students, since typically I just work with the students I’ m supporting,” she said.“ You get to know students in a different way. You get to know them a little more personally and they get to see you in a different light as well.”
Students enjoy the chance to pursue activities that interest them and provide a creative outlet that is different from their core classes. Eighth-graders like Makayla McKiernan and Lillian Fenzil said they like being able to have a bit more freedom with their writing through Ms. McFadden’ s club.
“ I get to create my own stories and think of my own ideas instead of like in English, where you get a task,” said Makayla.“ In [ Creative Writing
Club ], you get to write whatever you want. You get a topic and can go along your own way.”
Some of the club activities included writing a TV script, creating another world and then writing stories about characters from that world, and playing“ Roll a Story,” where students roll dice to get a combination of characters, settings and other narrative elements upon which they have to write a story.
The students also enjoy having more time in their core classes as a result of the schedule changes.
“ I kind of like the longer periods because we get more time to do things in class,” said Lillian.
While middle school administrators have noted positive outcomes of the schedule through feedback from students and parents and through their own tracking of disciplinary incidents and attendance, it will take a little more time to determine if the longer class periods contribute to improved student growth scores. Reflection and analysis will continue so the district can evaluate how effective the middle school changes have been.
www. pvsd. org PVSD Annual Report 2015-16 • 11