Grading Changes Effective October 18, 2024

We allowed all 6^th graders across the district the first nine weeks to acclimate to their new routines and academic expectations without the added pressure of a grade for the Future Ready class. Starting in the second nine weeks, we will begin implementing grading in the Future Ready class to develop students' sense of accountability and monitor individual learning progress, reflecting mastery of academic content as well as critical skills like problem-solving and effective communication. 

Staff & Parent Communication about Grading Changes distributed by each middle school campus:

Parent Communication | 6th-Grade Future Ready  

Staff Communication | Future Ready & W.I.N. Teachers 

Grading Rubric Implementation for Student Progress and Engagement

We are excited to introduce a grading rubric designed to assist teachers in evaluating student progress and engagement in 6th-grade Future Ready & W.I.N. classes. This tool is to be utilized for each student during progress report periods and at the end of each grading cycle, akin to the processes used for office and library aides. The primary purpose of this rubric is to provide a structured framework that fosters heightened expectations and encourages our students to actively engage with the content. The rubric is not intended to negatively impact students but to ensure they are making the most of all educational opportunities facilitated through these classes. This approach will give every student the best chance to succeed and thrive academically.

☀️ Summer 2024 

Face-to-face Professional Learning: 

All 6^th Grade Future Ready teachers are REQUIRED to complete the following trainings: 

Registration can be accessed here: 

Future Ready Training (Required): tinyurl.com/bde7ufxf

ReadingPlus Training (Required): tinyurl.com/mucz4sh9

MATHia Training (Required): tinyurl.com/ywwmecxn

 

7th & 8th Grade WIN teachers are REQUIRED to attend the following trainings (any math or ELAR teacher interested in learning more about each of these platforms is also welcome to attend): 

Registration can be accessed here: 

ReadingPlus Training (Required): tinyurl.com/mucz4sh9

MATHia Training (Required): tinyurl.com/ywwmecxn

Monday (Life-Readiness Day) - Weekly Agenda, Goal Setting, Character Strong

Tuesday (Life-Readiness Day) - Typing Skills, Google Applied Digital Learning, AVID, Digital Citizenship, 

Wednesday (Math Reinforcement) - core-teacher assigned MATHia or other resource

Thursday (Reading Reinforcement) - core teacher assigned Dreambox Reading Plus or other resource

Friday (Flexible Friday) - 15 min grade check, revisit weekly goal, continued digital learning or special interests/enrichment activities

🍂 Fall 2024 | 6th Grade Future Ready

🌱 Spring 2025 | 6th Grade Future Ready

💪 6th Grade Future Ready | Life Readiness | Character Strong (6th Grade Lessons)

Link to slide deck.

Future Ready Course video series:

1. Getting Started with Future Ready
2. Resources for the Future Ready Classroom
3. A Week in the Future Ready Classroom 

Playlist:

Key Takeaways

After watching the on-demand learning videos in entirety, in writing please articulate your key takeaways and how they can be applied in your role. This reflection will help reinforce your learning and identify practical ways to implement new strategies or concepts and serve as evidence of your participation to meet the requirement for facilitating this course.  

https://forms.gle/WJdh4yYagiGkm4LeA

Dreambox Reading Plus & MATHia Licensing Information for Principals, Dept. Chairs, and Sixth Grade Future Ready & W.I.N Teachers

• Around August 13, all 6th-grade students and only 7th & 8th-grade students who meet the criteria established for HB1416 will have access to Reading Plus and/or MATHia on their Plano ISD Webdesk. 

• 6th Grade Future Ready teachers, as well as math and ELAR teachers, will have these tiles appear on their Webdesk and have access to the data for students that they are the teacher of record for this school year. 

• We will be offering Reading Plus and MATHia Professional Learning for all 6th Grade Future Ready, 7th & 8th Grade WIN teachers, and any math or ELAR teacher interested in learning more about each of these platforms. 

Registration can be accessed here: 

Future Ready Training (Required): tinyurl.com/bde7ufxf 

ReadingPlus Training (Required): tinyurl.com/mucz4sh9

MATHia Training (Required):  tinyurl.com/ywwmecxn 

• Throughout the school year, as new students enroll in the district, we will create an indicator in Skyward that uniquely identifies students who fall under HB1416 (the campus testing administrator will add this indicator and can locate instructions for doing so here to ensure they are flagged so these students are provided the digital resources/licenses to Reading Plus and MATHia. Please work closely with your campus registrar to review transfer records and determine HB1416 indicator status for newly enrolled students in PISD.  

Communication to Dept Chairs: 

[Math] Student access to MATHia is provided to all 6th graders enrolled in Sixth Grade Future Ready this year but is limited to students in need of intervention, as defined by HB1416 (formerly known as HB4545). All middle school math students will have access to MATHia as part of their digital access to Carnegie learning; however, only students who fall under HB1416 should use MATHia. Staff members who will have access to MATHia will include:

• 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math teachers

• Middle school Sixth Grade Future Ready & W.I.N teachers 

• 9th and 10th grade math teachers working with HB1416 students

• Campus staff who are tagged as an academic support teacher, a Title I campus coach, Title I support teacher, Principal, or Assistant Principal

Optional MATHia training opportunities are listed below on this webpage. If questions arise about staff access, contact Whitney Evans.

[ELAR] Student access to Reading Plus is available to all grade 6 students enrolled in MS I&E and All grade 7-10 students will also have access to Reading Plus only if they are identified under HB1416. All grade 6 middle school ELAR students will have access to Reading Plus through their Webdesk tile. All grade 7-10 students will also have access to Reading Plus only if they are identified under HB1416. Staff members who will have access to Reading Plus will include:

• 6th, 7th, and 8th grade ELAR teachers

• Middle school I/E teachers 

• 9th and 10th grade English teachers

• Campus staff who are tagged as an academic support teacher, a Title I campus coach, Title I support teacher, Principal, or Assistant Principal

Reading Plus training opportunities are listed above on this webpage. If questions arise about staff access, please contact Deborah Brannon.

Communication to MS Future Ready & W.I.N Teachers: 

• All MS Sixth Grade Future Ready & W.I.N teachers and students in grade 6, as well as 7th and 8th-grade students in need of intervention under HB1416, will have access to Reading Plus & MATHia.

• Teachers and students will access these programs through Webdesk through their PISD single sign-on (Sixth Grade Future Ready course numbers are shared via Classlink).

Reading Plus (Dreambox) Updates for all middle school campuses:

Based on campus feedback of Reading Plus (Dreambox) usage for middle school reading, teachers of 6^th Grade Future Ready and 7^th & 8 Grade WIN have been granted access within the Reading Plus program that allows them to monitor student progress, including clearing student “holds” and other error messages, and to create small groups within a larger campus class. 

New Helpful Links:

• Quick Start VIDEO

• Quick Start INSTRUCTIONS

• How to create a GROUP within a CLASS