ESTUDIOS Demonstration Schools Lessons Learned Adapted from presentations

ESTUDIOS Demonstration Schools Lessons Learned Adapted from presentations prepared by Graciela Garcia Elementary Jose Damian Elementary Northline Elementary

ESTUDIOS Program E S T U D I O S – Enabling – Students – to – Understand – Demonstrate the – Importance of – Outstanding – Scholarship

ESTUDIOS Program A Jacob K. Javits Grant designed to merge the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) with existing dual language programs in Texas

ESTUDIOS Program Through this grant the Texas Education Agency (TEA) provided financial, technical, and administrative support to 3 Texas elementary schools with dual language programs to implement the PYP.

What is the Primary Years Programme? “The Primary Years Programme (PYP), for students aged 3 to 12, focuses on the development of the whole child, in the classroom but also in the world outside, through other environments where children learn. It offers a framework that meets children’s several needs: academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural. ” For more information, visit the International Baccalaureate Organization Web site at http: //www. ibo. org

ESTUDIOS Program Goals • Increased identification of economically disadvantaged students for gifted/talented services • Increased identification of Hispanic students for gifted/talented services • Raising of self-expectations for participating students

ESTUDIOS Program Goals • School-wide educational reform • Creation of innovative, classroombased teacher training opportunities through: • demonstration academies • mentor system • on-line teacher training access

ESTUDIOS Outcomes Dual Language Instruction + Primary Years Programme = • Personal growth and academic achievement for students • Personal growth and effective instructional strategies for teachers • Exciting educational environments for schools

ESTUDIOS Team • Texas Education Agency • Education Service Center Region XIII • International Baccalaureate North America • Bilingual Mentors • Participating Schools • Evaluator

ESTUDIOS Schools • Graciela Garcia Elementary Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD • Jose Damian Elementary Canutillo ISD • Northline Elementary Houston ISD

Graciela Garcia Elementary Two-Way and IB–PYP

Garcia is a 90/10 campus • Students begin pre-K with majority of instruction in Spanish. • By 1 st grade students receive language arts instruction in both languages, math in English, and science and social studies in Spanish. • By 3 rd grade 50% of instruction is in English (including science) and 50% is in Spanish. Graciela Garcia Elementary

Q. How Can We Get Our Students to Learn All Subject Areas in a Meaningful Way? Graciela Garcia Elementary

A. We Need a Transdisciplinary Program! It’s equally important to acquire skills in context, and to explore content that is relevant to children and transcends the boundaries of the traditional subjects. Graciela Garcia Elementary

Integration of Program Initiatives Grades 1 -5 Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program • Interdisciplinary • Concept Based • Higher Level • Internationalism • PYP Profile Graciela Garcia Elementary Dual Language TAKS • Heterogeneous Grouping • Cooperative Learning • Developmentally appropriate practices • Holistic Strategies

What the Curriculum Offers • The PYP is a curriculum framework based on the Inquiry Method of instructional delivery. • The research-based components are best practice for effective schools and instructional programs. Graciela Garcia Elementary

What the Curriculum Offers • The curriculum represents the best from many different countries rather than the exported national system of any one. Graciela Garcia Elementary

The PYP Promotes International Mindedness • This sharing of experiences increases the children’s awareness of, and sensitivity to, the experiences of others beyond the local or national community. • It is central to the programme and a critical element in developing an international perspective, which must begin with the ability to consider the point of view of someone else in the same class. Graciela Garcia Elementary

International Mindedness The PYP promotes internationalism and instruction in a second language which goes hand in hand with our Two. Way Bilingual Model. Graciela Garcia Elementary

Jose Damian Elementary Canutillo, Texas Margartia Porras Grant, Principal • Socorro Lopez, PYP Coordinator • Heather Atherton, Kindergarten Teacher • Diane Grado, Second Grade Teacher • Sylvia Parra Munoz, Reading Specialist

Memorable PYP Experience International School of Dundee Visit Jose Damian Elementary

Challenges Implementing PYP • • Learning about the PYP Getting everyone on board Presenting to parents Presenting to board members Garnering administrative support Aligning state and local curriculum Managing school growth/split into two schools Jose Damian Elementary

Resultant Changes From PYP • Planners became part of curriculum • Second language was implemented school-wide • Students expanded their vocabularies • Teachers made changes to their teaching styles Jose Damian Elementary

Northline Elementary Journey to IB/PYP Authorization Adapted from a presentation by Brian S. Doyle, Principal

Demographics Economically Disadvantaged Students Free Lunch 587 85% Reduced Lunch 74 11% Northline Elementary

Demographics Ethnicities Numbers African American 26 Anglo * Hispanic 677 Nationalities Represented México, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, and Perú * Numbers not reported to comply with FERPA regulations. Northline Elementary

Instructional Programs Bilingual Spanish 301 43% Dual Language (English-Spanish) 151 21% English 253 36% Northline Elementary

Nationalities and Ethnicities of Teachers Nationalities/ethnicities Numbers U. S. African American 14 U. S. Hispanic 7 U. S. Anglo-American 9 Mexico/Hispanic 10 Central and South America/Hispanic: Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Nicaragua, El Salvador, 10 Caribbean (1 -Cuba, 1 -British Virgin Island) 2 Northline Elementary

Challenges of Implementing PYP • Garnering complete staff buy-in • Securing teacher planning time • Making planners that are fully aligned with the state mandated curriculum • Accessing Jacob Javits/Estudios Grant funds from district in a timely manner • Obtaining parental support Northline Elementary

Successes Implementing PYP Implementation of the PYP resulted in increases or improvements in the following areas: • State test scores • NRT scores • Teacher collaboration • Student motivation • Parental support Northline Elementary

TAKS Scores Since Beginning PYP Subject Reading Math Writing Northline Elementary Language 2005 2006 2007 English 61 63 70 Spanish 84 85 96 English 68 62 69 Spanish 80 81 85 English 93 97 91 Spanish 97 97 98

Second Grade: Animal Adaptations Planner (Parental Involvement) Northline Elementary

Northline Elementary