June 1st Community Forum on RtI

Notes from the Meeting

Questions and Concerns:

Scheduling -  how do you make sure the same classes aren't always being missed?

Options: flipped, condensed, rotating schedules

Why early release on Wednesday?

This could change.

Wednesday is a good day for an early release - Monday and Friday are harder.

What about early release on Friday? Students who play sports often miss Friday afternoon for games.

Possibility.  Concerns about teachers who are coaches missing RtI hour. What about the students who need to attend learning clinic but also play sports?  Will this time be as productive?

Any idea on how many students will be identified as needing to attend the RtI learning clinic?

No specific idea of numbers right now.  There will be continuous testing looking for growth.  Students who improve and meet grade level expectations are dismissed from RtI.

Are the learning clinics voluntary for students?  Do we think people will take advantage of it?

We see learning clinics as voluntary right now.  Hopefully being at end of the day will encourage kids to stay.  Many kids stay after school for homework club or extra help now.

How much time do teachers already have?

One prep per day , but not always - a lot of our time now goes to logistics and we must meet after school. Some teachers also have team time during the day - but not always.

How do other schools do it?

We are getting many teachers/ staff out to workshops and conferences to gather info.   Teachers also visited an elementary school in Auburn (Walton School) that has implemented a recongnized RtI program.

How do special education students fit in?

RtI is NOT a special education program.  It focuses on students not in special education who need help meeting grade level expectations.

Could students in gifted and talented meet during the RtI hour to receive services?

Possibly in the future.  We have big ideas for this hour.

How do ME state standards fit in?

ME standards are TOO BIG. We're already picking 'essential' learnings. Need to formalize these standards - make everything more focused.  All informed by Maine Standards.

What is the purpose of RtI?

RtI is to get all kids to MEET standards.

During the learning clinic, will students work in groups or individually? 

We'll have to wait and see but we envision both.

SPORTS:  Will teams want to get in during the 1 hour early release time . . . should that time be reserved for learning clinics?

Will there be a bus run home for kids who stay at the learning clinic?

Possibility if it means kids coming or not coming.  Might make a difference to families.  Transportation shouldn't be a reason not to stay.

Who identifies students?

Data will help identify teams of teachers identify students who are not meeting grade level expectations.

Lots of RtI will also happen in the classroom with small groups or the whole class (i.e. addressing a concept such a long division that many students are struggling with/ modifying or changing a program that doesn't address certain key standars).

ARE WE ADDING too much?

Maybe go back to 2:26 release time all week rather than the current 2:37 and have teachers stay for 1 extra hour in the afternoon once during the week.

Could we have different schedules for K-5, middle school, and high school?

Is there a stigma attached to kids who have to stay?  How do other schools deal with this?

Based on homework club in middle school, it doesn't seem like an issue.  We will need to be vigilant.

We are seeing some gaps in fundamentals in high school.  RtI helps address these gaps on a regular basis.

Will teachers be looking at programs?

Yes.

What if older kids don't buy into it?

High school students have already bought into it for similar projects (i.e. ALEKS web based math program).

What's the impact on the community?  How do we get the word out?

That's why we're here at this community forum.  High hopes it works and families are proud of the results.  That may take time.

Parents will love essential learnings - more manageable.

Feels more personal?

Could parents be involved more at school - help parents help their kids?

Help classroom as a whole function on a higher level.

Do other schools do this?

YES! How we explain this to the community is important.