Six Florida Schools Are Among 18 SpringBoard® National Demonstration Schools Selected by the College Board

NEW YORK — The College Board is pleased to announce the selection of six Florida schools as SpringBoard^® National Demonstration Schools for academic years 2013–2015.  Selected because of the outstanding practices of teachers and administrators during the implementation of SpringBoard, these six schools located in Miami-Dade, Hillsborough, and Palm Beach, will serve as model sites for future SpringBoard implementations throughout Florida and the nation.  

“Our students’ reading scores were stagnant, however, since the first years of SpringBoard’s successful implementation, scores have consistently improved,” said Judith C. Marty, Principal of Mater Academy Charter Middle/High Schools in Hialeah Gardens, Fla. “With SpringBoard, participation in the Advanced Placement Program^® continues to grow and more and more students are succeeding in AP^®.  If SpringBoard is implemented with fidelity, student success will increase.”

SpringBoard is the College Board’s college readiness program in English Language Arts and Mathematics for students in grades six through 12. A research-based program, SpringBoard is a pre-Advanced Placement^® program that increases participation and prepares a greater diversity of students for success in AP and college by providing culturally and personally relevant activities designed to engage students in problem solving and critical analysis.

SpringBoard is used in more than 1,500 schools, and serves over 1.7 million students across the country.  This school year, SpringBoard will release its 2014 Common Core Editions in English Language Arts and Mathematics.  The program implemented these revisions to support teachers as they transition to the Common Core State Standards, and to engage a more diverse group of students in their classrooms.  These editions were submitted for state adoption in Florida, Georgia, Oregon, and California and will be available to districts across the country for the 2014-15 school year.

The SpringBoard National Demonstration Schools implemented SpringBoard for a minimum of two years with ongoing professional development and improved student achievement. Teachers established a professional learning community within the school, so they and their peers can learn from collective experiences and share best practices. Each of the 18 schools selected nationally produced a brief video of SpringBoard in action, featuring student, teacher, and administrator interviews that highlight the benefits and successes achieved. Additional evaluation criteria included classroom walkthroughs, student and staff interviews, and portfolio review by the SpringBoard National Demonstration School site selection team.

“SpringBoard enables all students to actively engage in a rigorous curriculum based on the Common Core Standards and equips teachers with a flexible set of instructional tools,” said Pamela L. Nelson, vice president and general manager of SpringBoard at the College Board. “These 18 National Demonstration Schools were chosen because they have established high-quality implementations leading to academic success for all students.” 

In addition to this recognition, the schools will receive additional professional development, recognition at College Board events; a customized school banner and plaque; and opportunities to preview new SpringBoard-related products and services.

The SpringBoard National Demonstration Schools for 2013–2015 are:

California:

Tetzlaff Middle School ― ABC Unified School District

Colorado:

Longs Peak Middle School ― St. Vrain Valley School District

Florida:

Mater Academy Charter Middle/High Schools ― Miami-Dade Public Schools

Strawberry Crest High School ― Hillsborough County Public Schools

Martinez Middle School ― Hillsborough County Public Schools

Palm Beach Lakes High School ― School District of Palm Beach County

Boynton Beach Community High School ― School District of Palm Beach County

Santaluces Community High School ― School District of Palm Beach County

Texas:

Lady Bird Johnson Middle School ― Irving Independent School District

Secondary Reassignment Center ― Irving Independent School District

Washington: *

Chinook Middle School — Bellevue School District

Highland Middle School ― Bellevue School District 

International School ― Bellevue School District

Odle Middle School — Bellevue School District

Tillicum Middle School — Bellevue School District

Tyee Middle School — Bellevue School District

Key Peninsula Middle School – Peninsula School District

Goodman Middle School – Peninsula School District

*Note: As more than 50 percent of the schools in the Bellevue School District met the evaluation criteria, Bellevue, Wash., is recognized as a National Demonstration District.

These 18 outstanding schools, combined with the five schools selected in 2012, bring the total number of SpringBoard National Demonstration Schools to 23.

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About SpringBoard^®

SpringBoard^® is the College Board’s clearly articulated, proven model of rigorous instruction for English Language Arts and Mathematics for all students in grades 6–12. Written and field tested by teachers who understand the challenges of today’s classroom, SpringBoard is a research-based program composed of rigorous curriculum, assessments, professional development, and coaching services. SpringBoard is based on the Common Core State Standards and is highly recommended by Phi Delta Kappa International (PDK) as a program of exceptional quality. For more information about SpringBoard, visit springboard.collegeboard.org.