Professional Development for Staff
Odyssey Preparatory Academy provides Professional Development opportunities to teachers, which directly facilitate achievement for all students and are based on the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Additionally, Odyssey teachers are required to take training in the Essential Elements of Odyssey Preparatory Academy: Montessori philosophy; Nutrition Education; Positive Discipline; and Brain Gym. Teachers are also required to continue their education through a variety of in-house, district-wide, and statewide professional development opportunities. In-service days are set aside for teacher education in the areas of assessment, lesson plan design, and supporting students through Response to Intervention.
The curriculum is evaluated by administration and teaching staff during staff meetings, team meetings and grade level meetings. This type of data based evaluation of the curriculum occurs frequently. Responsibility for revisions ultimately lies with administration and the Odyssey Charter School Board of Directors. The leadership team also uses assessment data to evaluate both the effectiveness and the efficiency of the curriculum. Student performance trends are reviewed quarterly to determine student achievement by school, grade and class. Regular professional evaluations of both teachers and administrators occur during the school year. These evaluations include direct classroom observations, lesson plan reviews, and school and student performance on standardized assessment instruments.
Response to Intervention
Response to Intervention (RtI) is the initial process used to monitor student progress and ensure that all students receive needed guidance services by offering a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS). Teachers monitor student academic and/or behavior progress and make further referrals if needed. The guidance counselor and ESE teachers are part of the team, along with teacher leaders and administration. The team supports classroom teachers and students as needed through the monitoring and referral process.
Odyssey Charter School has established an RtI Leadership Team to work with teachers in identifying students in need of remediation and/or placement into a more intensive program that focuses further on a student’s learning styles. Teachers and administrators work to provide services such as counseling, mentoring, tutoring, and career planning. In compliance with Florida law, all seventh grade students receive career counseling and planning information through their Civics and Career Planning course.
The RtI team meets twice per month to ensure that appropriate interventions are selected for students. Teachers chart academic and/or behavior interventions to determine the effectiveness of their interventions.
As part of the RtI process, each teacher has been trained in the area of identifying and using appropriate interventions, and work actively toward supporting students with this process. Identified students are referred to the IEP team, which meets to discuss what interventions are needed. These are documented in the student’s IEP. Teachers must comply with a student’s IEP. Odyssey has a guidance counselor on site, a school psychologist who visits frequently, and mental health counselors that come regularly to the school to meet with students.
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Services
Reflecting the Response to Intervention model, student expectations fall into two categories: academic and behavioral. The goal of mastery is established for all students; however, students with specific learning needs may be provided with accommodations as identified in an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
Special services are provided by ESE teachers for students with an IEP. Students with an IEP are monitored by the ESE team to ensure that the appropriate interventions are in place and are being delivered. The team meets yearly to evaluate whether the accommodations and modifications are appropriate for the student. The IEP is updated annually; or more often, if required.
ESE teachers work predominately in a “push-in” model to provide students with the collaborative efforts of both classroom and special education teachers. Data based instruction is a high priority in our school’s instructional plan. Students with special learning needs or behavior issues are provided with counseling and are offered appropriate levels of assistance by ESE staff members to increase the student’s opportunities to engage and participate in activities.
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Services Students of different cultures and those with a native language other than English are supported and assisted by ESOL instructors to ensure they are provided with opportunities to understand and participate in activities. Students are assessed using the CELLA to determine academic growth.