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Next Generation Learning Challenges
New Grants from Gates & Hewlett funding consortium
JFYNet invites inquiries from school districts interested in partnering with us on a proposal for "Wave 2" of the Gates, Hewlett et al. Next Generation Learning Challenges competition. Grants can be up to $500,000 for a 15-month period. The purpose of NGLC is "to dramatically improve college readiness and completion... through the applied use of technology, particularly among low-income individuals. The program fosters an active community of innovators and adopters by identifying proven and emerging technology-enabled solutions and moving them from 'islands of innovation' to greater levels of adoption." The Wave 2 RFP addresses "how technology-enabled instructional and assessment materials may fundamentally alter and improve mastery of 7th-9th grade level Common Core State Standards-aligned content with deeper learning competencies...." Five-page pre-proposals are due March 4.
Our entry in this competition will build on JFYNet's past success in partnering with districts such as Revere for the Title IID Technology Grant and the Nellie Mae Education Foundation student-centered learning grant; Malden for the Nellie Mae grant; Fitchburg for an Intel grant; and Spencer-East Brookfield for a local business consortium. Through these partnerships, JFYNet brings new resources to districts that enable the schools to strengthen their instructional capacity. For example, Revere is using our joint Title IID funds to incorporate an online assessment system for all 9th and 10th graders that provides continuous real time feedback on student progress. If you are interested in the Next Generation Learning proposal, or in other funding opportunities, please contact JFYNetWorks' Executive Director Gary Kaplan at 617-338-0815. |
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MCAS Results: The JFYNet Record of Achievement
The bottom line is MCAS results. Our pledge to our partner schools is that JFYNet will improve MCAS results. Though JFYNet started in 2000, it wasn't until 2002 that we began to accumulate enough data to analyze. Since then, we have fulfilled our pledge. In the early years from 2002 to 2005, when we were only in high schools, we simply tracked 10th grade passing rates. We compared the passing rates of JFYNet students in each school to the students who were not in JFYNet. As all our partners know, we do not select the students we want to work with-the school assigns the students. In most cases, JFYNet works with at risk students. So, when we found that from 2002 to 2005, in 27 MCAS reports from a wide range of schools, JFYNet students passed MCAS at higher rates than non-JFYNet students every time, in every school-we were pleased. Then, when we started breaking out the subgroups, we found that our subgroups also out-performed the non-JFYNet kids in the same subgroup. That finding further confirmed our faith in the JFYNet methods. Then the state brought in the Data Warehouse and the growth model, and we started measuring growth. In the first year, 2009, we were able to collect data on 14 classes in nine schools. In 13 of those classes, JFYNet students logged higher growth than non-JFYNet students. We have received data on the 2010 MCAS from 9 schools so far this year. In those 9 schools, we had a total of 12 classes. JFYNet students posted higher growth than non-JFYNet students in 10 of those 12 classes. Our Tiered Instruction program at Revere High School, featured below, shows clearly what JFYNet can do. Working with Tier 2 students-students identified as at-risk-JFYNet produced a student growth percentile (SGP) of 66, well above the "high growth" threshold of 60. The Tier 1 students, not identified as "at risk" and not in the JFYNet program, logged 36 SGP. We are continuing to receive data on the 2010 tests, even as we prepare for the next round. We're glad to report that so far the results sustain the record of achievement we have compiled since 2002. |
JFYNet and Revere High complete first year of technology grant
In 2009, JFYNetWorks and Revere High School wrote a proposal for a Title IID grant to improve RHS's tiered instruction (RTI) program in 9th and 10th grades. The proposal was funded, and JFYNet has been providing professional development to RHS teachers along with software, curriculum alignment and formative assessment testing. The 2009-2010 school year was the first year of the two-year grant and 2010-2011 is the second. In addition to curriculum and professional development and classroom support, the grant also funded the purchase of new computers and smart boards to implement the instructional design. The grant provides for the following program elements.
The grant provides for ongoing JFYNet professional development to address teacher-identified needs for 19 mathematics teachers. The emphasis is on improving proficiency in the use of technology. It includes teachers, administrators and support staff. Over the period of the grant, JFYNet is building staff capacity through real-time training that helps all school staff feel comfortable using all technologies and strategies.
In the first year of the grant, JFYNet provided all necessary training for teachers in the use of software and instructional strategies, and facilitated the sharing of good practices among teachers through weekly whole-day visits to Revere High School. The professional development structure included classroom visitations supplemented by individual sessions and meetings with groups of teachers. Grant funds purchased four laptop carts to implement the new practices.
The goal of the grant-funded activities was to improve the performance of at-risk (Tier 2) students. The Spring 2010 MCAS was the first test of the two-year grant cycle. The results were very encouraging: the Tier 2 (at risk) students who were involved in the grant-funded activities showed greater SGP growth than the Tier 1 (not at risk) students who were not involved in the grant. The Tier 2 10th graders' median growth was 66 student growth percentiles (SGP), while the Tier 1 students' median was 36 SGP. It was a good start. Now, halfway through year 2 of the grant, JFYNet and Revere High are hoping for even better results in the next MCAS. They'll have to work hard to clear the bar they set for themselves in Year 1.
Click here to view Revere IID Growth Chart 2010 |
JFYNetWorks Approved Vendor for Education Data Warehouse
Latest in series of new services
JFYNetWorks has been approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a trainer for the six-course Education Data Warehouse curriculum. (http://www.doe.mass.edu/infoservices/dw/edwtrainers.html):
The courses include:
- Intro to the Data Warehouse (including Cognos Connection)
- Understanding MCAS Reporting (including Cognos Connection)
- Informing Instruction with Data (including Cognos Connection)
- Multi-Dimensional Analysis (using Cognos PowerPlay)
- Report Builder I (using Cognos ReportStudio) and
- Report Builder II (using Cognos ReportStudio)
This is the most recent certification for JFYNetWorks. The organization has also been approved by DESE as a pre-qualified vendor for Race to the Top (supporting the conditions for school effectiveness) and by the College Board as an official ACCUPLACER testing institution. Call for information. |
Teacher Spotlight: Teacher puts focus on MCAS, partners with JFYNet to achieve goal
Shannon Donnelly, second from left above, biology teacher at North Shore Technical High School, strives for all of her students not only to pass the MCAS but to keep moving from 'needs improvement' all the way to 'advanced.' "My biggest focus for students in 2011 is to prepare them for MCAS," says Ms. Donnelly. She has been using JFYNet in her classroom since 2009 to help achieve her goal.
Ms. Donnelly is also working with JFYNet to provide input to MIT's Star Biochem team on a project to create simple online molecule models for high school biology. These online models can be viewed, rotated and manipulated so that students get a realistic three-dimensional view of molecules. The STAR tools are the most advanced molecular modeling tools available. The project is a collaboration between JFYNet and the MIT Office of Educational Innovation and Technology. It is one element of JFYNet's STEM education program (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).
Ms. Donnelly has been a teacher for over 12 years in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In 2010 she was honored at the JFYNet Achievement Awards for Outstanding Use of Technology in Support of Student Achievement. Dedicated to improving her school, she serves as a Teacher Induction Supervisor, helping monitor teacher mentors; volunteer member on the design team for science and technology labs for the new school building currently in design; member of the Professional Development Committee that determines how school professional development time is spent; and member of the School Council. Shannon also teaches smart board training classes and iPass training workshops for faculty.
Ms. Donnelly serves on a subcommittee for Rachel's Challenge, a program stemming from the Columbine High shootings that strives to improve school culture and morale through community service and school improvement activities. "Some of the biggest obstacles for many students are the issues they face outside of school," she says. "Although I can't solve the problems that go on outside class, I can support my students while they are with me and provide a safe and comfortable classroom environment for them."
Shannon Donnelly is a large part of the reason that North Shore Tech's academic performance is near the top of the state's Regional Vocational High Schools. |
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Gary Kaplan
Executive Director JFYNetWorks |
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For more information please contact us at:
JFYNetWorks
125 Tremont Street
Boston, MA 02108
617-338-0815 |
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