EDC+503+Su13+-+Woonsocket+Middle+School

= **Woonsocket Middle School //[|website]//** =

**240 Florence Drive**
Introduction Woonsocket Middle School is a public school serving 1336 students in grades 6-8. The Woonsocket Middle School encompasses two schools, Hamlet and Villa Nova. The current principal at Hamlet is Robert Picard; Steven Boss is the principal of Villa Nova. According to the Woonsocket Middle School website, “The Woonsocket Middle School staff continuously strives to create a community where everyone is engaged in acquiring a common core of knowledge and experiences to ensure that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, creative, productive and purposeful life.”

Woonsocket Middle School (2013). Retrieved July 7, 2013, from []
 At Woonsocket Middle School, the student population is comprised of 54.4% White students, 13.2% Black or African American students, 10.5% Asian students, 3.6% American Indian or Alaskan Native students, 1.9% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students, and 29.7% mixed race students. Rhode Island’s average middle school student ethnic distribution consists of 68.1% White students, 9.9% Black or African American students, 5.2% Asian students, 4.2% American Indian or Alaskan Native students, 1.8% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander students and 23.1% more than one race students. Woonsocket Middle School, therefore, has a slightly more diverse student body than the average middle school in the state.

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Rhode Island Department of Education. (2013). Inforworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. //Infoworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting//. Retrieved from[]=====

 This report looks at the Woonsocket Middle school over the past decade and compares various statistics relating to the following areas: Student Achievement; Teaching; Family, Community, and Home Life; Safe and Supportive Schools, Funding and Resources; and changes in the past decade based on the 2005 School Accountability for Learning and Teaching (SALT) Report. The statistics mentioned will help assist students, parents, educators and advocates understand and take into consideration the achievements or failures of reform efforts, including No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Race to the Top (RTTT).

Student Achievement The Student Achievement at Woonsocket Middle School is significantly lower than state averages. Students attending Woonsocket Middle School have below average scores on NECAP Assessment subjects including math, reading, and science. The Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Report found that Woonsocket Middle School did not make AYP for the year of 2010-11, indicating the district is not meeting desired standards in the state of Rhode Island. Woonsocket Middle School is currently at a Warning level according to the Accountability Summary and Classification report for the 2012-13 school year. The school met 13 of the 22 target areas evaluated in 2013. The school failed to reach the target for all students' reading proficiency, especially Hispanic students, English-language learners, economically disadvantaged students and those with disabilities, minority super-subgroup, and program super-subgroup. The school also failed to reach the mathematics target for students with disabilities and program super-subgroup. In 2011, according to the AMO summary, the school failed to reach the target of 62.2% proficiency for students' mathematics skills within the students with disabilities group. Consequently, the entire student body has been labeled as not meeting the target. In English language arts proficiency, the AMO summary shows that all student groups met the targets for 2013. Despite students at Woonsocket Middle School meeting AMO targets, their reading, math, and 8th-grade science scores on the statewide NECAP tests remain below state averages. For example, the 2011-12 math scores for 6th graders show only 49% proficiency, which is in fact an increase from 38% in 2010-11. The state average for the same test was 62% in 2011-12 and 60% in 2010-11. The 7th-grade math score dropped to 31% proficiency in 2011-12, down from 38% proficiency in 2010-11. Reading scores at Woonsocket Middle School in 2011-12 for 6th grade was 59%, 7th grade was 58%, and 64% proficiency for 8th grade. Yet again, the state averages were higher at 73%, 72% and 78%, respectively. The 2010-11 report for reading proficiency showed a similar tendency both school-wide and state-wide scores. For the most part, the overall reading, 8th-grade science, 6th-grade and 8th-grade math proficiency improved between 2010-11 and 2011-12, but Woonsocket Middle School students still performed below the state average. Clearly, Woonsocket Middle School student achievement is not thriving compared to other schools in Rhode Island.

Teaching Woonsocket Middle School teachers and staff seem supportive in helping their students thrive, which is similar to the state of Rhode Island. Teachers in Woonsocket Middle School and the state of Rhode Island give clear directions, allow enough time for classroom work, provide thinking problems, call on different students in class, allow students to work with partners, and provide neat work-spaces. Woonsocket Middle School also has an excellent teacher to student ratio (1:9) compared to the state of Rhode Island (1:11) and teachers with emergency certification (9%) as compared to the state average (1%). Student engagement seems to be supported as well, with students reporting that teachers are encouraging interest in materials and feeling that teachers want them to do well. As you can see, the teachers in Woonsocket Middle School are similar to the average teachers in the state of Rhode Island, providing a personal and supportive academic setting.

Family, Community, and Home Life The Family, Community and Home Life of students attending any school is important to consider because that is what gives a school its character. The area of Woonsocket, Rhode Island is a relatively low-income community, as evidenced by 77% of students at Woonsocket Middle School being eligible for subsidized lunch as compared to the state average of 46%. Also, Woonsocket Middle School provides special education services to 19% of its students, while the state of Rhode Island’s average is 15%. This shows that Woonsocket Middle School is developed enough to provide these services for its students. Results also indicate that students attending the school are less active in sports, outdoor activities, and extracurricular activities compared to students across Rhode Island. Parents are also less involved with students and their academics at Woonsocket Middle School compared to the average of other schools in Rhode Island. Parents of students at Woonsocket Middle School are just as likely to be home with their children and provide them breakfast compared to the average parent in Rhode Island. There is also a difference in the amount of technology that students use at Woonsocket Middle School and students attending other schools in Rhode Island. 50.3% of students at Woonsocket Middle School spend 2 or more hours using technology for entertainment purposes versus 41.4% of students in Rhode Island. In conclusion, it’s likely the family environment is less supportive for students attending Woonsocket Middle School compared to other students in the state of Rhode Island .

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Rhode Island Department of Education. (2013). Inforworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. //Infoworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting//. Retrieved from[]=====

Safe and Supportive Schools It is crucial for students and staff to feel safe at school. How can one expect to learn when basic needs are not met? Woonsocket Middle School is not as safe and supportive as other schools in the state of Rhode Island. Woonsocket Middle School students reported lower rates of always feeling safe while walking to school (19.8%) as compared to the state overall (31.1%). Additionally, students at Woonsocket Middle School reported lower rates of always feeling safe in school hallways (18.9%) as compared to the state (29.2%). Students at Woonsocket Middle School reported lower rates of feeling safe when they walk outside of school (16.3%) as compared to the state (26.7%) as well. Students reported that bathrooms are always locked during school hours (20.2%), surprisingly, as compared to the state (4.4%). Also, students in Woonsocket Middle School seem to be somewhat satisfied with their school's appearance and facilities, as compared to other students in Rhode Island. The violence and theft in Woonsocket Middle School is comparable to the state. 14.1% of students reported that during the past 12 months, they had been in a physical fight on school property, which is higher but comparable to the state responses (12.7%). Additionally 21.1% reported that during the past 12 months, they had been in a verbal fight that needed to be broken up, which is higher but comparable to the state's responses (19.6%). It seems bullying might also be an issue at Woonsocket Middle School; students responded to questions pertaining to whether they had been bullied in the past 12 months, and the responses were higher but comparable to other schools in Rhode Island. 23.6% of students in Woonsocket Middle School reported they had been threatened with harm, which is higher compared to the state of Rhode Island’s average student responses (17.1%). Woonsocket Middle School responses concerning college readiness showed that 12.5% of students do not believe their adviser is helping them think and prepare for college, which is a higher number of discouraged students compared to the state (11%). Although 71% of students believe their adviser is helping them prepare and think about college, which is comparable to the average student in the state (71.8%). In conclusion, Woonsocket Middle School students feel less safe at school compared to others in the state. Additionally, Woonsocket Middle School provides a rather supportive environment for students to learn, which is comparable to the average schools in the state of Rhode Island.

Funding and Resources Woonsocket Middle School has funding and resources, allowing the school to continue to work with students to grow and develop. The district of Woonsocket, Rhode Island spends $12,362 on average per student at the middle school. The average median family income is $38,353, which is significantly lower than the state of Rhode Island’s average median family income ($72,724).

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;">Changes Over the Past Decade

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 22pt;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;">

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 0px; overflow: hidden;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> For the year 2001-2002 and the previous year, this school was labeled as Low Performing, meaning 33% or more of the school population had tested as not proficient. Over the past year, Woonsocket Middle School was labeled at Warning level.

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Rhode Island Department of Education. (2013). Inforworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. //Infoworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting//. Retrieved from[]===== <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">This is concerning, and one begins to wonder about what is going on. A few positive findings showed the percentage of students who feel safe at this school has increased over the last ten years, from 71% to 77%. In 2008, the student dropout rate for middle school students was 13.9%; in 2012, the rate decreased to 11.9%. Even the slightest change in this area is significant, because it is hard to think 6th-, 7th-, and 8th-grade students in Rhode Island would drop out. When examining test scores, I compared the 2011-2012 school year to 2008-2009. Math NECAPs for 6 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">th <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> grade in 2011 showed a mean of 49% proficient, but in 2008 the school reported 34% proficiency. 7 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">th <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> grade in 2011 showed a mean of 31% proficient, in 2008 the school reported 35% proficient. 8 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">th <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> grade in 2011 showed a mean of 36% proficient; in 2008, the school reported 30% proficient. Reading NECAPS for 6 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">th <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> grade in 2011 showed a mean of 59% proficient, but in 2008 the school reported 50% proficient. 7 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">th <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">grade in 2011 showed a mean of 58% proficient; in 2008, the school reported 63% proficient. 8 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">th <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> grade in 2011 showed a mean of 64% proficient; in 2008, the school reported 44% proficient. Writing NECAPS for 8 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">th <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> grade in 2011 showed a mean of 37% proficient, but in 2008 the school reported 31% proficient. Science NECAPS for 8 <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">th <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> grade in 2011 showed a mean of 10% proficient; in 2008 the school reported 6% proficient.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> In a 2005 SALT Report on the Woonsocket Middle School, recommendations to teachers included the following: “hold all students at all levels to high and clear expectations, deliver explicit instruction across the content areas in reading, writing and problem solving. Provide students sufficient classroom time to practice reading, writing and problem solving, accept the professional responsibility to teach reading in all content areas, and participate in necessary professional development to be able to do this successfully. Design purposeful and rigorous lessons to motivate and engage students, model strategies and encourage students to use them to develop critical thinking and higher order skills. Manage classroom instruction and time more efficiently to improve teaching for learning, and minimize class and school discipline issues. Provide more frequent and in-depth feedback to help students revise and improve their work in order to raise their achievement.” <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Based on the data I have reviewed for this report, I can only conclude the recommendations provided within the Salt Report have yet to show through on test scores. It is possible that changes have been made, and I understand these things take time. It is also possible these scores have increased from 2005-2008. The 2005 Salt Report stated, “The new administrative team has a plan for progress at this school. These leaders want to create a positive environment for all, increase academic rigor, expectations and instructional time, and improve school-wide personalization through looping teams of student support services. District leaders say they have given this team free reign for a “bold new change.” They say the principal is an aggressive and bright leader with a strong work ethic. However, this leadership team has not been able to communicate its vision effectively to the faculty or to bring them on board. The staff says that their voices are not heard, and they are not regularly included in school-wide decision making.” <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">By looking at student surveys from 2011, it seems there are still some concerns and areas of improvement that can encourage a positive environment for all. For example, in 2012 only 34% of students felt that all their teachers wanted them to do their best work, as compared to 41.5% of Rhode Island’s average students. Also, only 39% of students reported their teachers treat them with care and respect, as compared to the state average of 47.9%. Student achievement varies across groups, and a large percentage of students do not feel their environment is helping them thrive and succeed.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 1.5;">Conclusion <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 1.5;">The school environment and academic achievement at Woonsocket Middle school has improved a bit over the decade. Although the school has improved, the school and its students are not doing as well as other schools and students in the state of Rhode Island. The school has seen improvements over the years, but has not been significantly successful. This only shows that further problems exist. According to the 2005 SALT Report, problems come from a need of more professional development and a need for a plan of progress to be implemented at school. When comparing the data in 2001 to 2012, there seems to be a resemblance. This goes to show that the problems identified in the 2005 SALT Report are still current concerns in 2012. There has been a slight improvement in test scores over the decade; however the scores are still below the states average. Based on this, it’s possible to conclude that the current reform efforts such as NCLB and RTTT has not had as big of an impact on the Woonsocket students as one would have hoped. As an impoverished school, these reform efforts should demonstrate a greater impact than what is being reported. In conclusion, the Woonsocket Middle School has improved over the past decade, but the school and its students continue to show a lower academic performance as compared to other schools and students in the state of Rhode Island.