What:
A whole-school-reform initiative originally designed for elementary schools, but now being adapted for middle schools.
Who:
The Galef Institute in Los Angeles. The model is either in place or is being implemented in more than 550 schools in half the states. More than 300 of them are in Kentucky. The institute was awarded nearly $13 million by the U.S. Department of Education’s Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program to introduce the approach in another 500-plus middle schools over the next eight years.
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Contact: The Galef Institute
6053 West Century Blvd., 3rd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310)645-1960
(800) 473-8883
Web site: www.dwoknet.galef.org/
Key Principles:
- Arts-based, integrated curriculum.
- Consideration of students’ varying learning styles.
- Three-year course of study.
- Positive expectations for the academic and social achievement of all students.
- Thematically integrated instruction across disciplines.
- Active student participation.
- Early intervention.
- Parent participation in the classroom and at home.
Key Practices:
- Alignment with state and local standards.
- Extensive collaboration among teachers.
- Creation of thematic units by interdisciplinary teams of teachers.
- Up to 38 hours of teacher professional development, including annual summer orientation, seminars throughout school year, monthly instructional coaching, and leadership training.
- Ongoing assessment of student work.
