As a long time school administrator, I have been in-servicing schools for 30 years. I have a website called Trimesters.org where I focus on scheduling for secondary schools and some policies that work. This podcast is going to a series of short podcast that center around quality policies and practices for school to use. At this point, I am doing it solo and ask listeners to go to my website and email or call if they wish to talk more.
This is an epidsode to help admin setup an alternatve edcuation for a 9-12 setting. Please share it with your school, groups and associations. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
Video Download This area is very dependent on regular ed training and district resources available. Most importantly is the process to deal with students who are on the high needs spectrum. This is one of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. There is more available upon request. Mark Trimesters.org - CL...
Video Download PE has to solid policy on athletics credit, dressing for participation points but open to not making kids follow a locked in set of classes. Is health part of a PE class or independent. I like when health is taught with PE and it gives the teacher a way to not make it so boring for kids to sit in a health class. This is one of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of in...
Video Download This one of the easiest places in a trimester to have creative scheduling. The key is common classes offered each year and two sets of options in alternating years. This is one of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. There is more available upon request. Mark Trimesters.org - CLEP testing...
Video Download This one of the most difficult things in any schedule to teach. Without question it has the greatest summer regressions issues. In large schools it can be taught each term and do 3 parts ( 1A, 1B and 2A) in one year. However, this puts lots of preps in the schedule and large schools have enough staff to make it more managable for the teacher. A native speakers policy is the key to helping boost the numbers for a level 3 and 4 program. I recommend using CLEP testing for students wh...
Video Download RTI is enhanced in a trimester schedule. This is also on the www.trimesters.org website. This is one of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. There is more available upon request. Mark Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP...
Video Download CTE needs to become the option for those who are not college ready as a graduation requirement. This is one of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. There is more available upon request. Mark Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies...
Video Download If you have state testing the scope and sequence should follow that testing calendar. If not, have government in the senior year and have US Histroy in 9th grade to match up to 8th grade. It is best for students to have US History as a reference to understand other cultures. This is one of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of...
Video Download Science scope and sequence should be based on the state testing program. This is one of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. There is more available upon request. Mark Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: ...
Download Video I recommend that you listen to Episode 25 The Math Dilema prior to using this one. This is the thrid of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. There is more available upon request. Mark Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP...
Video Download This is the thrid of many trimester videos I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. There is more available upon request. Mark Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-609...
Video Download This is the second of many trimester video I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
Video Download This is the first of many trimester video I put together during the Covid lockdown. This was used with a school in New Mexico. These are still very relivant and have lots of information. I have a full complement of videos for each department and admin. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
I have listed the 12 things legislators could do to really help schools. These items are big in scope but don't require money. 1. Prohibited Rules of Bargaining 2. Stop doing Grants 3. School Improvement Team 4. Cell Phones 5. Minimum wage 6. Work permits and driver's licenses 7. Local Control Focus ( #1) 8. Stop doing state made testing in secondary 9. State graduation standards for CTE diploma and College Ready Diploma 10. All public employees in the same health insurance program 11. Allow a E...
This is a podcast dedicated to understanding and working with Transportation, Food Service and Maintenance/Custodial Services. It is critical for an admin to know about how these work and what they cost. This is the area where lots of people want to cut funding from first, but it's not that easy. I know this one is a little longer than normal but before you cut services, you might want to listen to this one. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework ...
This podcast focuses on the growing trend of not requiring testing and complaints about it does mean anything. The other issue is that teachers are teaching to the test. Spoiler alert, I hope so. Does anyone give a test they don't teach to and if so why. It is about accountability for the 810 Billion a year spent on K-12 education. I explain some changes that should be make and one of those is to embrace it and expect performance testing. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - ...
This episode is about rethinking the high school diploma process for students. Differentiated diplomas make sense and say something about the students work in high school. How about a Scholarship / College Ready Diploma, Career Ready / CTE Endorsed Diploma and a standard diploma as an option. Set criteria for them and make transcript so it show attendance, suspensions, college course taken, and test scores. Maybe an employer might ask for high school information if it was useful. The states have...
This podcast is devoted to CLEP testing. CLEP is one of the least used but most effective and efficient ways to get student college credits. CLEP testing allows any high school teacher in the core classes, business and foreign languages to teach a college credit course. Tests are scored 20-80 with 50 being the passing score. CLEP gives credits not grades so it does help or hurt GPA's. I have attached my notes from the podcast below. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart g...
This is a pitch to schools to make the ASVAB test a more important part of their program. There are few tests that have more of an impact on students than the ASVAB will on their military tenure. It is a great test for IEP's and a check on the CTE programs to see if students are getting the basic skills. In short, a student should never take the ASVAB without preparation. I have some notes available in the bottom of this presentation. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart...
This episode is a response to the growing number of educator who are concerned about AI. I focused on ChatGPT which I view as the new wave in technology we should embrace. It is not going away and has some very useful purposes. This is not about Robots who are taking over human interaction, it is a wonderful new tool in the ELA box for writing. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: w...
This is an episode dedicated to the growing trend of parents wanting books to be banned at school. The other side of this issue is parents and staff who want to have everything be available. This is a suggestion on a policy and some ideas of how to mange the growing issue. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
This is a short podcast on things to prepare for next school year. I call it Summer Food for Thought. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
This is a brief background on the science and history of the English Language. It is very important to know what the elementary does to teach reading. I refer to an expert named Trish Martin ( Unlocking the Reading Code ) . I also refer to a book used in high school for a long time that is great for struggling reader called Word Clues as well as SRA Laboratory products and Read Naturally . English levels are important in secondary schools to work on issues not just water down the content. Trimes...
This episode is about how to use special education paraprofessionals in a different way in the building to be more efficient and effective. There is a growing need in trying to find and retain paras in schools. The job market has tighten and wages and benefits are high for schools to afford. This is an option to consider when making the para assignments for next year. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterb...
This episode is about how to help motivate students to perform on standardized tests that they are required to take. The episode is for secondary schools to use on state and national tests. (State Exams, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, etc.) Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
This podcast is about the graduation rate that schools are held accountable to. All of the rating system use it but it does not give any real information. Special Ed., colleges and most post secondary training don't use a timeline, they use standards. It would open a whole world of options to schools for alternative education, CTE, reducing special education numbers and severing the kids better. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - ...
This is mostly an Op-Ed on my part about what we did well and poorly during the pandemic. I made an effort to go back and forth with good things and things that did not go well. As usual please feel free to disagree and let me know. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
This episode talks about the 3 problems in teaching secondary math. The scope and sequence of the courses is critical for students. Problem 1, When to the students take Geometry. Geometry on standardized tests only include plane and coordinate geometry and is about 7 questions on the ACT out of 60 questions. Problem 2, When and where do you teach statistics and probability? A small part of the tests, but it does not fit into Algebra or Geometry. Problem 3, What do you do with the students who do...
This is an overview of what quality instruction should look like in the classroom. There are multiple models to use and some work for teachers and some don't. The bottom line is that engagement and purposeful organization are the key. I have attached a document on the 12 ways how to use homework in your classroom. The art of teaching is figuring out how to use your personality in front of students to engage them. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Home...
This episode talks about how to evaluate what literature should be used in ELA classes. Although other classes my require novel reading, it is mostly ELA courses where we get issues from. There are 4 levels of books. Level one is where every student has to read the book and has it attached to their grade. Level two is where there is a set of books to choose from and they pick one to do the graded assignment. Level three is a choice book not graded in anyway and is similar to a library book. Leve...
