COMPREHENSIVE NEEDS ASSESSMENT of the entire school (including the needs of migrant children) with information about the academic achievement of children in relation to the state academic content standards.
Describe the process utilized to conduct the comprehensive needs assessment for this school.

As a school, we work departmentally to identify the needs of our students using a combination of the prior years assessment data and a diagnostic administered at the beginning of the school year.  We use common formative assessments to ensure that are students are progressing through the standards and meeting proficiency.  Through our weekly PLCs, data is disaggregated and used to help teachers improve their instructional practice.

Instruction by HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS in all core content area classes
List instructional staff and paraprofessionals that are NOT highly qualified (instructional staff only).

ATTRACT HIGH-QUALITY, HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS to the school.
Describe strategies that will be used to attract high-quality, highly qualified teachers.

The district utilizes a variety of methods to attract quality teachers to our district. Rickards Middle School utilizes all avenues afforded to us by the district to seek out quality teachers. Every year we attend the Job Fair and have been successful in retaining several successful candidates. As part of the TIF 5 support, we have an Induction coaches who are working with our year 1 and 2 teachers on a weekly basis for curriculum development, classroom management, etc.   In addition, we have four master teachers, Ms. Tierney, Ms. Brown, Ms. Ellis and Mr. Sohn, who  are working with our year 3-5 teachers to ensure that curriculum implementation is rigorous in regard to meeting the Florida Standards. All teachers participate in weekly departmental PLC's where they learn all about curriculum as well as have very important data chats to discuss students common assessment results. 

Title I, Part A
Title I funds provide additional teachers to assist students, particularly low performing students.

Staff Development Funds are used to bring in expert trainers to assist our teachers in learning the most current teaching techniques.
Parent Involvement funds are used to fund parent nights that offer opportunities for parents to be trained in the most current information affecting their child such as FSA and how students are scored. As well as academic nights, ESE/ESOL Parent nights, and Cultural Events. Monies are used to bring in trainers, supply snacks, as well as materials as needed.

Title I, Part C- Migrant
(Migrant-Title I schools have been advised if Migrant students attend their school)

No Migrant students have been identified.

Title I, Part D
Neglected and Delinquent

Any students identified as homeless or in foster care are immediately connected to our counselors as well as our school's social worker. We work together collaboratively to ensure their success as well as keep in close contact with any outside agencies who may be connected to these identified students.

Title II
(District professional development)

Teachers participate in staff development, as well as , in PLC activities to strengthen their knowledge of Florida Standards.  As part of the TIF V grant, we also provide  professional development to our teachers in-house.

Title III
(ESOL)

ELL students receive reading and developmental language arts instruction by a certified ESOL teacher. We were able to purchase language dictionaries that were math-specific to assist with students engaging in the content.

Title X- Homeless
(Homeless- All Title I schools may complete with this statement)

The Guidance Department are responsible for helping to identify homeless students and referring them to the Homeless Education program offered by the district. Administration also works with Guidance Department and the Social Worker to make sure that those families are receiving additional help from community sources within the county.

Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI)

SAI funds are being used for Saturday School and for our Homework Help Program. The programs are designed to help struggling students, as well as those students who are looking for enrichment in all subjects. We also provide Course Recovery for our students who need to make up courses from a previous grade level.

Violence Prevention Programs

Rickards Middle School implements the County Student Code of Conduct and follows the Districts Discipline Matrix. Our school enforces the District's Anti-Bullying Policy and has a zero tolerance for bullying and violence. Bullying prevention programs are supported through Peer Counseling/Conflict Mediation programs, guest speakers and student assemblies.
Our school also enforces the District's Dating Matters Policy. Through the 8th grade classes students receive the Safe Dates Curriculum. This year we are focused on using the Social Emotional education program to assist with students response to stimuli.
Rickards Middle School also builds violence prevention culture through classroom instruction in conflict resolution bullying prevention, character education and the Broward County adopted character traits.

Nutrition Programs

Nutritional programs and health education are an integral part of our Diversified Arts Program, specifically through the Physical Educational curriculum. We provide Healthy Snacks through our vending machines.

Housing Programs

Referrals are made to the school social worker, when parents have expressed that are in need of additional assistance as it pertains to housing.  The social worker then directs them programs and other community services which are available.

Head Start

N/A

Adult Education

Parents and other adults of the community requesting ESOL, GED, or other continuing education programs are referred to the list district's community school and also referred for services through our school social worker.

Career and Technical Education

The 8th Grade students participate in a real world experience  lesson at  JA World of Broward College). Students participate in the CTACE Courses that are embedded with reading skills to help students become familiar with computer science and coding skills.

Job Training

School wide we are using Naviance to provide students and families tools that will help our student to set future goals, identify careers of interest and search for colleges that will enhance our student’s education and allow the student to achieve their
goals.

Other

N/A 

Pre-School Transition

N/A

Parent Involvement Goal:
Based on the analysis of the parent involvement data, identify and define an area in need of improvement.

Based on our data from last year we will continue to strengthen and increase our ELL population's parental involvement through parent trainings with translators as well as all information and correspondence in their native language. Also we have paired with United Way to offer active parenting nights for our ESOL parents throughout the month of October.  We have increased the number of after hours parent activities to allow students, parents and teachers to interact and improve student achievement.