1	New Jersey Schools to Watch Growing, Learning, and Succeeding!
2	WHAT IS NJSTW? NJSTW is a middle grades improvement program sponsored by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. New Jersey is one of 18 Schools to Watch states.
3	WHAT IS THE NATIONAL FORUM? The Forum is a group of educators, researchers, state and regional school leaders, and national associations and foundations dedicated to improving education for middle-grades students.
4	New Jersey Schools To Watch Schools to Watch is grounded in research Turning Points This We Believe Breaking Ranks in the Middle
5	SCHOOLS TO WATCH
6	Academic Excellence Vision Statement The school challenges all students to use their minds well, providing them with the curriculum, instruction, assessment, support and time they need to meet rigorous academic standards. STW Criteria All students are expected to meet high academic standards. Curriculum, instruction, assessment, and appropriate interventions are aligned with standards and are rigorous.
7	Developmental Responsiveness
8	Social Equity
9	Organizational Structures & Processes
10	New Jersey Schools to Watch Theme: Growing, Learning and Succeeding Target: Any school with grades 6, 7, and/or 8 Does not have to be a “middle school” Must show steady improvement and commitment to the needs of the whole child
11	New Jersey Schools to Watch Four Part Application process Principal’s Checklist Self-Study and Rating Rubric Application and Narrative Site Visit
12	New Jersey Schools to Watch Principal’s Checklist 12 key elements of a STW Should be completed by principal and other members of the school’s administrative team Indicates “readiness” to take next steps
13	New Jersey Schools to Watch Self-Study and Rating Rubric Should be completed by all school personnel Should be discussed with all personnel and ratings addressed in narrative Can involve parents, students, and community members in a separate rating process
14	New Jersey Schools to Watch Self-Study and Rating Rubric Ratings are averaged for each element Two options available for determining final scores Final scores are submitted online with the application
15	Online Application All applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted District Web User Administrator must establish a school-level account to access application Application is available on NJDOE Homeroom @ http://homeroom.state.nj.us/
16	Online Application
17	Online Application
18	Online Application Data must be entered into all fields and all questions must be answered Edit checks - error message will appear if data is missing and must be entered before data can be saved Be sure to save your response after entering data in each section
19	Narrative Provides a snapshot of the school Must present and analyze assessment data and suspension data Each narrative response should be limited to 750 words Formatting of text is not available
20	Narrative One additional file may be uploaded (optional) for questions 1(g) and 2 (a) in the narrative (.pdf, .doc and .xls files, not to exceed 1MB) Two step process for uploading files: upload and save
21	Online Application Submission will include completed application, Self-Study and Rating Rubric (final scores) and narrative Be sure to print out a copy of your completed application for your records and fax Part G: Conditions and Agreements to (609) 984-5901 by 4 pm on October 14 “Submit to DOE” will appear at the bottom of the homepage after all sections of the application have been completed. Click this icon to submit your application
22	New Jersey Schools to Watch Site Visit A small number of schools are selected for a full-day site visit A team interviews parents, students, teachers, and administrators and conducts walk-throughs of every classroom Schools that are visited are not guaranteed selection as a NJSTW
23	New Jersey Schools to Watch A school’s designation is a combination of: The results of the rating rubric and how it is addressed in the application The application and narrative The site visit Any significant changes in test scores, staffing, or school configuration
24	New Jersey Schools to Watch Application deadline: October 14, 2009, by 4 pm Applications reviewed by the core team (Fall 2009) Schools selected for a full-day site visit Site visits conducted by team representing the partners (Dec-Jan. 2009) NJSTW designation in February 2010
25	New Jersey Schools to Watch Schools are designated for three years only Schools must participate in professional development (e.g., conferences) Schools must be willing to allow visitations from other schools Schools must continue to improve and focus on STW principles
26	New Jersey Schools to Watch At the end of the 3 years, schools must reapply for designation Schools cannot use the NJSTW name or logo of National Forum if they are not designated
27	NJSTW Professional Development Program Every school that applies will receive on-site consultation, technical assistance and other professional learning opportunities Strengths, areas for improvement, and areas not addressed Every designated school gets recommendations for continuing improvement
28	Aspiring New Jersey Schools to Watch Schools that receive a full site visit may be designated as Aspiring Schools The purpose is to recognize innovative programs and practices Aspiring Schools will continue to receive assistance to meet all STW criteria Innovative programs and practices will be featured on the DOE website
29	NJSTW APPLICATIONS If you applied last year: Review the school-specific recommendations and feedback Be sure you tell us how/when you are making the suggested changes Conduct another self-rating and discuss the results in this year’s application Answer every question!
30	NJSTW APPLICATIONS If this is your first application Review the materials on the website including the FAQ Analyze the results of the self-rating rubric Answer every question! Be clear, concise, but descriptive!
31	New Jersey Schools to Watch For information contact: New Jersey Department of Education Office of Improvement and Innovation Linda Morse, Director David McNair, Schools to Watch Coordinator 609-777-1653 http://www.nj.gov/education/dsis/stw/ NJSTWapps@doe.state.nj.us.