Final Report

Transition Team Study Group
3rd grade Nathan T. Hall Elementary to 4th grade Newark Valley Middle School
Final Report
April 2008

Committee members:
Marisa Potter-4th grade classroom teacher
JoAnn Byrne-AIS service provider
Kathryn Corrigan- 4th grade classroom teacher
Ann Frye- 3rd grade classroom teacher
Kelly Simmons-3rd grade classroom teacher
Sue Fedorwich- CES service provider


I The purpose of the team was to identify and evaluate the key components that are important for an effective transition from third grade at Nathan T. Hall Elementary to fourth grade at Newark Valley Middle School. Our goals were to:
1. Review activities currently being utilized to transition third graders to fourth grade.
2. To determine the manner in which student data (benchmarks, local and state tests) are shared between Nathan T. Hall Elementary and Newark Valley Middle School.
3. Create tools and methods (student program checklist) for appropriate student placement.

II
After our meetings and discussions, the outcomes of the study group are:
*Some outcomes are pending administrative decisions regarding the delivery of Special Education Services and Academic Intervention Services*

1. A meeting will be held between grade levels and building administrators to share the discussions, goals and expectations for the upcoming activities as soon as possible.
2. A timeline of activities that will occur in third grade, over the summer, and in fourth grade for all student, staff, and parents was created and is as follows:

May/ June
· Third grade will come to the Middle School to each lunch in the cafeteria.
· Students will visit a fourth grade classroom for a brief question and answer session and a tour of the building. Prior to the visit, third graders will generate some of their own questions and bring them along to ask the teacher.
· Third graders and their parents are invited to the fourth grade Open House to meet Mrs. Bertoni, the teachers and to visit classrooms.
· Third grade teachers will create classroom groupings for fourth grade based on their knowledge and needs of the students no later than the last week of school.
· Students in third grade will be asked to complete a one question survey about their feelings on going to the middle school.
· A letter will be sent home to third grade parents letting them know about the upcoming transitional activities.

Summer
· All third grade students will receive a “Learning Links” activity packet in the spring of third grade from the fourth grade Academic Intervention Teacher. “Learning Links” is an over the summer activity book that all third graders are encouraged to work on or complete. They can then return them to fourth grade in the fall for prizes.
· A date will be made available (late August) for incoming fourth grade students to come to the Middle School to find their classroom and tour building with fun scavenger hunt type activity. Fourth grade teachers are not required to be there.
Fall of 4th grade
· A student survey will be given in the first week of school to gain feedback.
· A parent survey to gain feedback on the transition between buildings will be given on Information Night at the Middle School.
· Teacher reflection /feedback discussion held during a team meeting.
· Parent Information Night held in September for 4th grade
· A sign up sheet for classroom volunteers will be available on Information Night.
· A follow-up meeting with the transition team to discuss results.
3. A list of materials that 3rd grade will create and/or pass on to 4th grade as follows:
· A copy of current third grade curriculum maps will be available and housed with the Academic Intervention provider.
· Updated student profile sheet(pink and blue sheets)
· Green benchmark data sheet of both ELA and math
· New student profile checklist
· A standard format for CSE student profile sheet including a list of all services and their frequency, testing and program accommodations, some helpful hints, as well as any prior testing data.



III
The impact of this study group will become apparent after successful implementation of the above activities and plans. Fourth grade teachers will have a better knowledge base of incoming students and their individual needs. Knowing this early in the year, will allow the grade level to plan accordingly and provide the most effective environment and placement for all students. Sharing of the data in a more effective way between grade levels and buildings will lead to a more effective and differentiated instruction.