Dearborn Public Schools has adopted a new schedule at its regular middle schools, carving out time to strengthen students’ skills in math, reading and writing.
Students get an extra two hours a week in these subjects via 30 minute Acceleration of Learning Blocks on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Schools looked at assessment scores to group students according to what areas each student needs to focus on. As students progress, they will be regrouped as needed. The Acceleration classes are kept smaller, or if that’s not possible, have an additional teacher to provide more direct assistance to students. Teachers from across subject areas are leading Acceleration sessions. Detailed lessons were developed by the district’s middle school instructional coaches and teacher representatives to make it easier for non-subject area teachers to assist students. Students will also still have their regular English and math classes.
Fatme Faraj, Executive Director of Student Achievement, along with other district leaders, did extensive research into proven methods to help students close the learning gap.
“Every article about this issue of a gap nationwide talks about that the ELA teacher will not be able to fix the gap alone “ Ms. Faraj said. “If we give it to the ELA and math (teachers) alone, there is no way. So it’s got to be all hands on deck with the collaborative learning culture that we embed in our schools.”
The district’s pre planned lessons ensure instruction aligns to essential skills students are expected to learn.
Stout Principal Hebat Abdelbaki noted that every teacher will be monitoring their Acceleration students to see if they have met the objectives. That progress information will then be shared back with their regular English and math teachers and will be used for other tutoring and support provided for students.
“So we have a look at the students as a whole child, so we don’t have a hodgepodge of things going on,” Abdelbaki said.
Lessons focus on core material middle school students need to be learning at their grade level. For most students, the material is to strengthen their skills in areas where assessments show they are struggling. For students performing at or above grade level, the lessons may also be used for enrichment activities. Students complete the lessons using pencil on paper to encourage more direct interaction between the student and the teacher.
“Data from M-STEP and PSAT assessments have highlighted the urgency of addressing learning gaps. By focusing on what students must learn at their current grade level, we aim to keep them on track for future success,” Ms. Faraj wrote in a letter to parents explaining the Acceleration of Learning Plan.
Salina Intermediate science teacher Hanan Hussein said, “I personally appreciate that the acceleration period targets specific skills to help students in real time. In the past, intervention only reached a few, and now all students across the district will receive differentiated instruction.”
She added, “I feel like Acceleration Period is just so structured and organized it’s essentially fail-proof, really. And I feel like the instruction will help bridge gaps where specific skills or information are missing as well as help solidify what they already know.”
Hiccups in launching the program are still being worked out, but even only three weeks into the new school year, teachers are already seeing the benefits for students. For example, the smaller, more interactive Acceleration sessions are allowing teachers to form stronger bonds with students and to better understand their needs and strengths, said Julie Johnson, an instructional coach at Stout Middle.
The Board of Education received a presentation with more details about the new Acceleration of Learning initiative during their Sept. 9, 2024 meeting. The presentation can be viewed on the district’s YouTube Channel.
“We are committed to providing a nurturing and supporting environment where every child can thrive. The Acceleration of Learning Block is an essential step toward achieving this goal, and we look forward to partnering with you in this endeavor,” Ms. Faraj wrote to parents.