Intel Schools of Distinction Finalist
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Once Upon a Time…
There was a Middle School in the South Bronx named The
Laboratory School of Finance & Technology
Why was the school created?
90% of schools in the district were failing schools
Needed to create a new Middle School to address the violence
in old JHS 149
Mayor became aware of the persistent violence JHS 149 and
created Impact Schools which would be schools that would
heavily guarded by police officers
After canvassing the neighborhood and doing research created
Finance & Technology because kids wanted to learn about
money and computers
So the first change that was made was to create an
environment where the children felt safe.
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Chapter 1 : 2003 - 2004
First year – focus school culture on rewarding kids for
exemplary work
Developed & implemented school bucks reward system, which
was featured in the Wall Street Journal and became a model
program that other schools implemented
Began introducing Investigations into math classes
Used the math program required by everyone in the city
Increased the number of Math periods to 10 weekly, based on
the Chancellor’s District model
Weekly Math Team Meetings Implemented
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Chapter 2 : 2004 – 2005
Moved from part-time to full-time Math Coach
Worked with union to create a School Based Option which
allowed teachers to teach 4 Math/ELA Classes in a row
Scheduled Math classes in the morning because research showed
that students were more receptive to math instruction in the
morning
Math scores increased as a school and in each grade
Received a waiver to use a Math program based on constructivist
learning & investigations and partnered with a different school
district to receive professional development
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Chapter 3 : 2005- 2006
Worked with the union to create another SBO to lengthen
our Extended Day program from 37 ½ minutes to 50 minutes
Standardized our Math Extended Day program, made program
skill-based and targeted lowest performing students
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Chapter 4 : 2006 - 2007
Started Formal AIS Program
Partnered with NYU and Columbia University Teachers
College to host Student Teachers – students receive
training, our teachers became mentors, were able to
develop small groups for instruction, some student
teachers are hired by our school
Became site for America Reads tutors, who also provided
math tutoring
Created grade leaders
Revised Math Instruction: 60 minutes Investigations &
30 minutes Skills Practice
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Chapter 5 : 2007 - 2008
Focused Differentiation Practices – study groups, whole group
PD, walk-through
Smithsonian Magazine does a feature on the school focused on
new schools and leadership
Started first Regents class (Integrated Algebra) using hybrid
model of technology and teacher-directed instruction
Expanded Intervention Services to include advanced students
First Summer Bridge Program for new 6th grade students to get
acclimated to the school and introduced to our math program
Integrated Arts and Math through NY Times Grant (SASI
Program)
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Chapter 6 : 2008-2009
The New York Post does an article on the school featuring it
as 1 of 3 schools in NYC that had 3 consecutive years of
increasing math scores
Skills become more refined with use of mastery sheets and
tracking students’ progress
Bi-weekly Math Department meetings implemented
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Chapter 7 : 2009 - 2010
Opening Advanced Math classes to all students
Career Fair focused on Math, Science & Technology fields
Integrated Math with Technology (Network for Teaching
Entrepreneurship)
Results are more amazing since the school has 40% special ed.
and ELLs!
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Summary Slide
Dedicated, enthusiastic teachers who are passionate about
Math
Partnerships with local universities and institutions
Partnerships with community based organizations
Professional Development and Team meetings to address all levels of
adult learners
Walk-throughs and inter-visitations to look at trends and classroom
practice
Intervention and advanced learning programs to meet the spectrum of
students’ needs
System of recognition of school values and student achievement
Use of data analysis through formative and summative assessments
that pinpoint student weaknesses
School bucks program and career day focus on integrating technology,
finance and mathematics-creating real world applications.
In house Mental health clinic and at least two College overnight trips
for all students.
…a holistic environment for all children to succeed!
THE END
Just The Beginning…