Closing the Gap Team Training

DEPARTMENT OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Closing the Gap Team Training

Overview

With the vision of leaving no child behind, the school-based training model--Closing the Gap Training Initiative--built upon the foundation that had been laid by Data Analysis Focus Teams across the city during the three years prior to this initiative. Conducted by a team of trainers, the GAP Team training specifically focused on improving achievement for all students while closing achievement gaps that might exist not only between student performance and abilities but also between various groups of students, including the NCLB subgroups. The training model assisted schools in meeting the challenges of NCLB, understanding the assessment options available under the Standards of Accreditation, monitoring the quality of classroom rubrics, and using available school data for data-driven decision-making for establishing priorities, setting goals, and closing the achievement gap.

2005-2006

In August 2005, teachers and administrators from 42 schools participated in the initial GAP Team training that was held at Jolliff Middle School. Topics addressed during this ½-day training were as follows:

· NCLB Review and Update

· Assessment Options

o Virginia Alternative Assessment Program (VAAP)

o Virginia Grade Level Alternative Assessment (VGLA) – Elementary/Middle Schools

o Virginia Substitute Evaluation Program (VSEP)
– High Schools

o Limited English Proficient Students

· Testing Highlights

On August 12 and August 30, Larry Bell, national consultant, returned to Chesapeake to present conferences on the topic “Closing the Achievement Gap.” Approximately 700 teachers and administrators attended these full-day training sessions, which were held at the Chesapeake Conference Center and the Holiday Inn Greenbrier.

Additional GAP team training scheduled for the fall of 2005 included the following:

· September 28 and 29 ~ Dr. Belinda Williams ~ ½-day session on the theoretical framework for closing the gap

· October 4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14 ~ Dr. Cindy Sparks ~ ½-day training session on the topic Using Available School Achievement Data for Data-Driven Decision-Making

· October 19 and 20 ~ Dr. Deborah Wahlstrom ~ ½-day session on Monitoring the Quality of Classroom Rubrics

Schools that Participated in GAP Team Training

ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL	TRAINED
Butts Road Intermediate
Camelot Elementary
Carver, G. W. Intermediate
Cedar Road Elementary
Chittum, E. W. Elementary
Deep Creek Central Elementary
Deep Creek Elementary
Georgetown Primary
Grassfield Elementary
Great Bridge Intermediate
Great Bridge Primary
Greenbrier Intermediate
Greenbrier Primary
Marshall, Thurgood Elementary
Norfolk Highlands Primary
Portlock Primary
Southeastern Elementary
Southwestern Elementary
Sparrow Road Intermediate
Treakle, G. A. Elementary
Truitt Intermediate
Western Branch Intermediate
Western Branch Primary
Williams, B. M. Primary
Wright, Rena B. Elementary

MIDDLE

SCHOOL	TRAINED
Chesapeake Alternative
Crestwood Middle
Deep Creek Middle
Great Bridge Middle
Greenbrier Middle
Hickory Middle
Indian River Middle
Jolliff Middle
Owens, Hugo A. Middle
Smith, Oscar Middle
Western Branch Middle

SENIOR HIGH

SCHOOL	TRAINED
Deep Creek High
Great Bridge High
Hickory High
Indian River High
Smith, Oscar High
Western Branch High

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