Results
Sousa Middle School, Washington, DC
The Situation
Prior to partnering with Insight Education Group, Sousa Middle School, which serves grades 6-8, had been considered one of the lowest performing schools in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) for many years. However, focused attention on the academic program of the school, coupled with new leadership and a district-wide middle school reform effort, have propelled exceptional growth in student achievement. In only two years working with Insight Education Group, the school's proficiency rates have jumped from 15% to 42% in math and 34% to 45% in reading. Additionally, students, staff and parents all remark about how significantly the culture of the school has changed: As a result of recent efforts, the school's focus on academic success is abundantly apparent from the minute you enter the front door.
School/District Data
American Indian/Alaskan Native: 0% Asian: 0% Pacific Islander: 0% Filipino: 0% Hispanic/Latino: 2% African American: 98% White: 0% Other/Declined to State: 0%
Services Provided
Evaluation, Leadership and Strategic Planning, Professional Development and Coaching
Our work with the Sousa Middle School included a comprehensive support package in all three areas of Insight's core processes: Program Evaluation, Instructional Leadership Support, and Professional Development and Coaching. In partnership with DCPS and Sousa Middle School, Insight has:
- Conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the school's academic program (Quality School Review)
- Developed a Report of Findings and Restructuring Plan aimed at increasing student achievement within three years.
- Supported the development and implementation of a Strategic planning to implement a high-quality, standards-based instructional program and targeted professional development
- Supported two full-time instructional coaches at the school site
- Trained and coached teachers on the implementation of Strategic Design for Student Achievement (creating standards-based units that align standards, assessments, and differentiated learning opportunities for all students)
- Implemented the use of daily objectives to frame instruction
- Modeled lessons in classrooms on the use of processes and strategies to engage students
- Supported the implementation of structured protocols for examining student work and data
Over the last two years, Sousa teachers have participated in summer professional development on Strategic Design for Student Achievement and have been supported by intensive coaching and on-going support. Although it has not been an easy task, teachers have remained committed to the process and have worked tirelessly to ensure that students have highly-engaging and focused standards-based learning experiences in each and every classroom. Finally, with Insight's support, the school has implemented an on-going process for data analysis, which has challenged teachers to examine instruction relative to student progress and continuously grow in their practice.
Results
As a result of the partnership with Insight Education Group, the school has seen significant growth in student achievement as demonstrated by the DC-CAS (DC Comprehensive Assessment System).
DC-CAS Scores by Proficiency Level
" Insight Education Group has truly helped teachers examine and refine their instructional practice in order to better serve all of our students. "
Karla Smith, School Improvement Facilitator, Luther Burbank High School, Sacramento, CA
" I want to thank you again for your training session. I learned more about teaching in 4 days than I have in one semester at my Masters/Credentialing program. "
Ian Jewett, Teacher, Larchmont Charter School