Grade 7-12 Model
November 1, 2016
Grade 7-12 Model
•
Staff conducted a review of research and visited other
School Boards to investigate and examine models
utilized in other school districts.
•
The focus was on programming and student related
implications.
Grade 7 - 12 Model
Grade 7-12 Model
Staff also Considered:
•
Academic, emotional, physical, social and spiritual
implications (Faith Formation).
•
Programing
and Academic
achievement.
Grade 7 - 12 Model
Considerations
• Grade 7-8 students being in a separate area of the
building from grades 9-12 students.
• Building suitability.
• Room allocations and scheduling.
Grade 7-12 Model
Considerations
• Grade 7-12 students are neighbours, cousins, brothers
and sisters. The already know each other outside of
school.
• Research and feedback from Boards indicates grade 7
and 8 students actually act in a more mature and
responsible manner.
Grade 7-12 Model
Considerations
•
Supervision
•
Staffing
•
Transportation
•
Transition
Grade 7-12 Model
Considerations
Influence of older students on younger students.
• These concerns are not supported by feedback from
Monsignor Pereyma, other School Boards and the
research reviewed.
• Our Secondary Schools are student centered with
excellent Safe Schools, Stand Up Against Bullying
Mental Health and Wellness programs that support
social, emotional, spiritual and academic needs.
Grade 7-12 Model
Program Possibilities
• 7-12 model provides access for grade 7 and 8 students
to specialized programs: art, music, science,
technology and other specialty areas.
• Reach Ahead opportunities for grade 8 students.
Grade 7-12 Model –
Program Possibilities
•
Boards researched and visited operate their Grade 7-12
schools under similar site and building configurations.
•
Discrete spaces for each group of students (e.g. classrooms,
washrooms, halls/wings/floors of the building).
•
Differentiated timetables (start/dismissal times, lunch hours,
gymnasium times).
•
Shared spaces for students include (e.g. cafeteria, library,
gymnasiums).
Grade 7-12 Model –
Program Possibilities
• Better transition planning.
• Greater access to Guidance, Program Support Student
Success teachers, Social Workers and Child and Youth
Workers.
• Ministry of Education “Student Success” initiatives are
directed at grade 7-12 to meet the needs of students.
Grade 7-12 Model –
Program Possibilities
• Secondary students are positive role models, mentors,
tutors and coaches (co-operative education, leadership
courses and peer mediation).
• Increased Community Service hours for secondary students
that support younger students.
• Research indicates that K-6 schools demonstrate an
improved culture with leadership opportunities for grade 6
students.
Grade 7-12 Model
Implementation Considerations
Schools with more grade levels per building have
demonstrated:
• Higher academic achievement.
• Better attendance rates.
• Greater self-esteem and better attitudes towards school.
• Fewer suspensions regardless of socioeconomic status.
Grade 7-12 Model
Implementation Considerations
Schools with more grade levels per building have also
demonstrated:
• More opportunities exist for cross-age activities such
as tutoring and older role model programs in schools
with a broad span of grades levels.
• Longer grade spans also allow for more collaboration
among teachers across grade levels and better
alignment of curriculum across grades.
Grade 7-12 Model
Implementation Considerations
• If there is a transition into a new school for high school
instruction, 7th grade appears to be the ideal time as it
shows the lowest drop-out rate.
• The higher the grade at the time of the transition, the
higher the drop-out rate, most significantly for boys.
• Researchers believe that making a change in the 7th
grade gives students more time to acclimate to new
surroundings before credit accumulation begins.
Grade 7-12 Model
Implementation Considerations
• It is important to create a “one school community” to meet
the needs of both groups.
• Transition plans/teams for Grade 7 and 8 students and
opportunities for intermediate teachers to share with
secondary teachers.
• School Boards have noted a improvement in the culture
and climate of the school with the 7-12 configuration.
• Merging the community.
Grade 7-12 Model
Implementation Considerations
•
Supports for academic and social needs.
•
Maintaining feeder school traditions (e.g. graduations,
awards, co-curricular activities and sacraments).
•
Joint spirit activities such as:
• mass, social justice, anti-bullying
guest speakers and student government.
Grade 7-12 Model
Implementation Considerations
Increased student achievement on Grade 9 EQAO Math
and Grade 10 OSSLT scores as reported by schools
with grade 7-12 configurations.
Ottawa Catholic District School Board
Near North District School Board
Algonquin Limestone DSB
Grade 7-12 Model
Implementation Considerations
• In addition to fewer transitions, the programming and
practices within those schools with a longer grade span
configuration are also likely drivers in the schools'
improved achievement.
Educators and researchers explain:
"Effective programs and practices, not grade
configuration, determine the quality of schools,"
and "Grade configuration per se may not make
the difference, but it does make a difference.”
Grade 7-12 Model
Some Boards with the 7-12 Model
Algonquin Limestone DSB
Avon Maitland DSB
Near North DSB
Ottawa Catholic DSB
Ottawa-Carleton DSB
York Region K – 12 ( 2018)
Toronto Catholic DSB
Simcoe DSB (considering implementation for 2017)
Superior-Greenstone DSB
Upper Canada DSB
Windsor-Essex Catholic DSB (considering implementation for 2017)
School Boards across Ontario and Canada
School District across the United States
Grade 7-12 Model
Next Steps
• Guided tour of Monsignor John Pereyma
(Invitation to be sent to Whitby Study Working Committee)
•
Public Consultation Meeting
(All Saints CSS - November 24)
• Board Report (January/February)
Grade 7-12 Model
Reference List
Alspaugh, J. W. (1999). The interaction effect of transition grade to high school with
gender and grade level upon dropout rates. Paper presented at the annual meeting of
the American Educational Research Association, Montreal, Quebec. (ERIC Document
Reproduction Service No. ED431066) Summary contained in Renchler, R. (2000,
Spring). Grade span. Research Roundup 16, 3. Retrieved from
http://cepm.uoregon.edu/publications/roundup/soo.html
Anfara, V. Jr., & Buehler, A. (2005). Grade Configuration and the Education of Young ...
What Research Says. Middle School Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1.
Cooke, D. (2008). Facilitator’s Report for Halton District School Board (HDSB) Southeast Oakville (Program Accommodation & Review Committee (PARC) 14 – Ward
3) Region. Burlington, Ontario: Halton District School Board.
Grade 7-12 Model
Reference List
Craig, J. (2006). Grade Configurations. School Planning & Management Retrieved
from http://www.peterli.com/archive/spm/1094.shtm
Dawes, P. (2009). Staff and Students Like Grades 7 – 12 and K – 6 Schools, Surveys
Suggest. Brockville, Ontario: Upper Canada District School Board Press Release.
Erling, S. & Manning, S. (2006). Literature Review on Middle Level Grade Span
Configurations. Toronto District School Board. Toronto, Ontario: Toronto District
School Board.
Halton District School Board (HDSB). (2008). PARC report on school grade
configurations. Burlington, Ontario: Halton District School Board.
Grade 7-12 Model
Reference List
Howley, C. (2002). Grade span configurations. The School Administrator. 59 (3), 2429. http://www.aasa.org/publications/saissuedetail
Huss, J. A. (2004). Monitoring the middle school movement: Are teachers in step?
Current Issues in Education [On-line], 7 (2).
http://cie.ed.asu.edu/volume7/number2/
McNeil-Hessian, D. (2012). School Grade Configuration. Halifax, Nova Scotia: Halifax
Regional School Board.
McKenzie, S., Ogle, N. T., Stegman, C. E., and Mulvenon, S. W. (2006). Does school
configuration impact school performance on AYP assessments? Retrieved from:
http://normes.uark.edu/current_research/aera2006/NCLBGrade-Rangeno317.pdf
Grade 7-12 Model
Reference list
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. (2010). 21st Century Learner:
Schools for the Future Research Paper. Nepean, Ontario: Ottawa-Carleton
District School Board.
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. (2011). Transformational
Recommendations for the Concept of 7-12 Schools. Nepean, Ontario:
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board. Research and Assessment Services
(2004). Literature Review on Grade Span or Grade Configuration in Schools.
Nepean, Ontario: Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board.
Paglin, C. & Fager, J. (1997). Grade configuration: Who goes where?
Portland, OR: Northwest Regional Educational Lab.
http://www.nwrel.org/request/july97/
Grade 7-12 Model
Reference List
Ponoka Schools, Alberta. (2012) Modernizing our Ponoka Schools for the 21st Century
Learning – Grade Configurations. Public Information Session April 24, 2012.
Reeves, K. (2005). Figuring and reconfiguring grade spans. The School Administrator.
Retrieved October 27, 2005, from
http://www.aasa.org/publications/samain.cfm?snItemnumber=95
Reid, C. (2009). Summary of Research Related to School and Grade Configuration.
Seaforth, Ontario: Avon Maitland District School Board.
Renchler, R. (2000). School organization: Grade span. Trends and issues. Retrieved
October 31, 2005, from
Grade 7-12 Model
Reference List
Schmitt, V. L. (2004). The relationship between middle level grade span configuration,
professional development, and student achievement. Research in Middle Level Education.
Retrieved October 31, 2005, from
http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/RMLEOnline/Articles/Vol27No2Article1/tabid/ 451/
Simmons, R. G. & Blyth, D. A. (1987). Moving Into Adolescence: The Impact of Pubertal
Change and School Context. London, U.K.: Transaction Publishers.
Tilleczek, K. & Ferguson, B. (2007). Transitions and Pathways from Elementary to Secondary
School: A Review of Selected Literature. Ontario Ministry of Education.
Tulsa Public Schools. (2011). Research Supporting a 7 – 12 School Configuration.
Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting. Tulsa, Oklahoma: Tulsa Public Schools.
Grade 7-12 Model
Reference List
Walker, Karen (2005). 7-12 grade configuration. The Principals’ Partnership.
http://www.principalspartnership.com.
Williams, G. et al (2008). Director’s Action Report to Regular Board Meeting: St.
Mary’s Elementary School. Seaforth, Ontario: Avon Maitland District School Board.
Wren, Stephanie (2003). The Effect of Grade Span Configuration and School to School
Transition on Student Achievement). ED479332. 2003. http://www.eric.ed.gov).
Grade 7-12 Model