2023-2024 School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) At-a-Glance

• Mark Twain Middle School

• Region 3

• Matt Mough, Principal  

Goal 1:  Algebra 1

By June 2024 the overall enrollment of 8th grade students in Algebra 1 (or higher) will increase from 48% to 55% for the 2024-25 school year. AVID 8 students enrolled in Algebra (or higher) will increase from 62% to 70% for the 2024-25 school year. Young Scholar enrollment in Algebra 1 (or higher) will increase from 70% to 75% for the 2024-25 school year.

Strategies

• Increase teacher implementation of explicit instruction and other components of effective mathematics intervention.
• Increase Math 7 Honors course opportunities and include team-taught sections.
• Increase school communication about open enrollment to ensure all school staff (including elementary schools) communicate a shared message around open enrollment and mathematics course pathways.

Goal 2:  English Language Arts Achievement Gap

By June 2024 the percentage of our Special Education Students and English Language Learners will improve from September 2023 baseline on the Reading Inventory by 10% on the end of year Reading Inventory.

Strategies

• Increase opportunities to explicitly teach conceptual background knowledge using evidence-based methods (i.e. mind maps, recognize patterns, critical and creative thinking strategies)
• Increase explicit routines, structures, and opportunities for students to build a community of readers, writers, and thinkers and to apply SEL skills
• Increase opportunities to explicitly teach vocabulary using evidence-based methods (i.e. semantic feature analysis, analyzing word parts, frayer model, defining words in context, semantic mapping, etc.)
• Increase opportunities for all students to experience rigorous Language Arts activities while developing language skills through the use of Lexia.

Goal 3:  Science Achievement

By June 2024 the overall adjusted pass rate will increase from 71% (SOL Adjusted pass rate 6/2023) to 76% adjusted pass rate on the end-of-year Grade 8 Standards of Learning Assessment.

Strategies

• Expand the type and frequency of formative assessments to evaluate progress throughout units
• Strengthen the use of scaffolds to support students’ development of rigorous science and engineering practices
• Increase opportunities to apply and demonstrate understanding of vocabulary through evidence-based arguments and reasoning

Goal 4: Chronic Absenteeism

By June 2024, Twain Middle School will decrease the number of students who are chronically absent by 5% (Target rate of 15%).

Strategies

• Increase opportunities for personalized early attendance outreach.
• Strengthen school team practices to monitor attendance data and determine need for intervention and additional support.

Goal 5: Discipline Disproportionality

By June 2024 the percentage of students (72.1%) participating in Restorative Justice Practices and Administrator Student Conferences as primary interventions will increase by 10% (to 82%) as measured by discipline data entered in the Student Information System. By June 2024 the number of primary offenses of RB 6 disrespectful speaking, RB 8 use profane language/gestures and BS 03 insubordination will decrease by 10%.

Strategies

• Implement required Tier 1 SEL and PBIS practices using time protected by the master schedule and lesson plan expectations.
• Ensure all adults have the professional knowledge and capacity to value diversity, promote inclusion, and utilize culturally responsive practices.
• Establish a positive and affirming schoolwide and classroom culture conducive to student engagement.

Goal 6: Math Achievement Gap

By the end of the 2023-24 school year, Students with Disabilities will increase their unadjusted pass rate on the SOL exam by 15 percentage points, resulting in an unadjusted overall rate of at least 65% for Math or SWD will demonstrate growth on the math inventory (from baseline) by 10% on the end of the year math inventory.

Strategies

• Improve Tier 1 instruction in all math classes so that lessons aligned with the curriculum, teachers move through their pacing together and assess work throughout each unit
• Admin & coaches support special ed & general ed teachers through ongoing training, coaching, and peer modeling opportunities
• Optimize Twain MTSS processes to ensure that CTs diagnose students’ unmet math needs and deliver academic interventions