At  this year’s MASA Distinguished Administrators’ Luncheon, 10  new MASA members were inducted into the Winners’ Circle. These members were honored by the Membership Services Committee for initiating a unique, successful program or implementing an innovative idea that has had a significant, positive impact on their school districts that can be used by other districts across the state.

 

Parchment Middle School Focus Program
Matt Miller, Parchment School District with George Stamas

The Parchment Middle School Focus Program identifies students who are at risk academically in Math and/or Reading at the beginning of their middle school career and provides them intensive, individualized instructions in their deficit areas. Teachers break down the materials into manageable chunks and provide more individual instruction with specific modifications for each student. The program is designed with an emphasis on differentiated instruction that allows for a difference in pacing. The program aims to promote students academically, not only at their ability level but at a rate designed to get them back to grade level.

The program is currently in its third year and has involved 38 students to date. The students have experienced above average growth rate of 8.6 in Math and 10.2 in Reading based on MEAP scores. They also experienced a huge affective change across the board. Students have a decreased rate of discipline referrals, increase in attendance rate, increase in class participation, decrease in missing work, and more. Based on teacher survey, the biggest change is students are engaged, actively participating in their learning. They are trying, where before they had “given up.”

MASA accepts nominations for the Winners’ Circle year round. You can find more details on previous winners and their programs at www.gomasa.org/MemberBenefits/Awards/WinnersCircle/tabid/141/Default.aspx.