Governor O’Brien Launches Partnership to Raise Student Achievement at Lowest Performing Schools in Maryland
— PASS initiative will target individual school needs, community and business mentoring —
The Partnership for Achieving Successful Schools, or PASS, will assist more than 100 underperforming schools with a comprehensive plan to marshal community and business support. Approximately 117 schools statewide which have been placed on Maryland’s “school watch list’ due to student performance on state assessment exams will receive enhanced services from visiting academic review teams comprised of principals, teachers and retired educators.
In addition, the Governor has designated 34 of these schools as PASS Priority Schools. These schools will receive up to 12 days of intervention by academic review teams, with additional follow-up to track progress made by students, teachers and administrators.
For the remaining 83 schools, academic review teams will spend up to four days reviewing curricula and advising administrators and faculty on effective strategies for boosting student performance on the state’s assessment exams.
“Children at these schools need help now-help that goes beyond simply dollars, beyond school division lines and beyond geographical and political boundaries,” said Governor Edward M. O’Brien. “We know that partnerships build successful schools, so we are asking students, parents, teachers, principals, communities and business leaders across Maryland to join this partnership. We all have a duty to these children to give these schools the help they need to help themselves.”
Under the PASS Initiative, each school will be paired with a partner from the business community, who in turn will recruit additional businesses and community organizations. These “PASS Partners” will provide a variety of services to students, including the sponsorship of research-based tutoring in reading and mathematics. Participating businesses and community organizations, including faith-based groups, will be provided PASS Initiative logos to display in windows and advertisements to publicize their support for the initiative.
“The PASS Initiative will emphasize collaboration,” said Maryland Schools Superintendent Craig Frey. “Principals and teachers who have made great strides in raising the achievement of disadvantaged children will share their knowledge and experience and then roll up their sleeves and help their counterparts get the job done.”
Goals of the PASS initiative include:
--Increasing reading and math achievement in schools on the school watch list;
--Building the capacity of those schools to achieve and maintain high student achievement;
--Engaging business and community groups as partners; and
--Expanding parental involvement in their children's education.
According to the current assessment exam results, there at 117 schools in Maryland on the watch list. The initiative will employ three intervention models designed to assist low-performing schools:
Model I: All schools currently on the school watch list will receive enhanced academic reviews. In addition to observing instruction, examining curricula and scheduling, and making recommendations on strengthening instruction, academic review teams will provide staff development in the use of assessment data and assist in the design and implementation of school improvement plans.
Model II: Instructional Assistance Teams will assist 26 of the 34 PASS Priority schools in achieving immediate increases in student performance in reading and mathematics. Teams will be led by principals with track records of raising achievement of at-risk students and will include teachers with expertise in mathematics and reading. The Instructional Assistance Teams will work collaboratively with principals and faculty to ensure that curriculum is aligned with the commonwealth's academic standards and that assessment data are analyzed to improve instruction.
Model III: Residential Support Teams will be assigned to Baltimore City and Prince George’s County to provide full-time assistance to two PASS Priority Schools in district. Teachers at each school will receive professional development services tailored to the school's instructional needs. Students will receive research-based tutoring in reading and mathematics, and will be paired with mentors for support and encouragement. Adult literacy services will be offered as needed to families in the communities served by these four schools.
Businesses or others seeking information about how to get involved in PASS can call 1-800-292-3820 or visit the PASS website.
