Best+Practices


 * Best Practices**

In order to meet the standards on our state mandated test (TAKS), teams must be focused on the following:


 * Team members should discuss weekly the vocabulary for the following week (place in minutes weekly). Vocabulary of the week will be applied in all subjects, including electives.


 * During the team meeting members should weekly TAKS vocabulary of the week, and make sure it’s reflected in the lesson plans.


 * Teams should have in place an on-going plan for students failing at the end of each 3 weeks.


 * On-going tutorials must be provided for students failing last year’s TAKS test(s). Individual teachers must keep a log of all students tutorial sessions.


 * Utilize team time to place documentation in Mizuni under the team tab. It is the teacher‘s responsibility to make sure that students are attending tutorials.


 * Teams should conference with students prior to contacting parents during Team meetings (for academic & discipline).


 * Teams should set up meetings with parents regarding student’s academic performance (failing students or lack of effort & not failing).


 * Teams should meet with Special Education responsible teacher. Teams should discuss needs of ESL students as needed and solutions for meeting those needs.


 * Teams should request meeting as needed regarding 504/Dyslexia students (see Counselors & Dyslexia Coordinator.)


 * Required inter-disciplinary planning should occur the entire period when scheduled. Suggested topics for discuss in team meetings: academic concerns and intervention, student discipline concerns and plan-of-action, attendance, parent calls and conferences, failures and team documentation in Mizuni. Other members of the Team should support these discussions and offer suggestions.


 * Teams are required to plan at least one comprehensive thematic unit for each semester during Team meetings. Teams should include elective teachers as much as possible. This should be highlighted in team minutes and lesson plans


 * On going review of data.


 * Teams may develop contracts with students regarding behavioral and academic concerns. Teams should provide copies of these contracts to grade-level principals.


 * Teams should select one item weekly to discuss with new teachers. These should be items that will assist new teachers in being successful. This should continue until the end of the first semester and may be on-going if needed.


 * Team members should request visit with C.I.S counselor or Wave Clinic Social Worker for serious concerns regarding students as needed (rape or other serious concerns). The counselor is the contact person.


 * Teams should make referrals and request a C.I.S. representative to visit their Teams as needed.


 * Teams must develop a Comprehensive plan to assist students that were not successful on the TAKS test(s) from last year. All teachers must adopt at least 2 students from a list that will be provided for them.


 * Teams Leaders should review the Campus Improvement Plan with their teams. (Available on the Network Drive)

Note:

Accountability is critical for all staff members during Teaming. Our focus must always be the academic improvement of our students. Team Leader will be responsible for keeping all team documents in a binder. For example, team minutes, C.I.S. documents, medical information, sign-in sheet, etc…..