1: Description of Students and the Learning Environment:

Thanks and a disclaimer: Several teachers completed a version of the CTC in the spring of 2000. Their work has provided the core of the samples below. We have, however, modified some of the selections to maintain confidentiality and to ensure that the samples reflect the revisions we have made in the instructions. Thanks to all the teachers who helped us with the original samples. Your input helped us make this a better process for all.

Portions of a description fit in a table--see sample below. Other elements might fit better in a narrative.

Grade Level/s: 6-9
Subject Area: _____
Number of Students
Total: 23 M: 11 F: 12            Reading Level _____ (ESE yes___, no___) If yes #___
Class Characteristics
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian: 6 African American: 8 Hispanic: 7 Other: 2
Number of Students for Free or Reduced Lunch 80%
Number of ESOL (English for speakers of other languages) 5
Number of EMH (Educable mentally handicapped) ___
Number of LD (Learning disabled) ___
Number of EH (Emotionally handicapped) ___
Number of SED (Severely emotionally handicapped) ___
Number of Gifted ___
Other (______) Truancy is a problem.
Describe the Type of Classroom (i.e. homogeneous, heterogeneous, FUSE, team-teach model, self-contained, continuous progress)
Homogeneous: students exhibit similar characteristics.
Heterogeneous: Students exhibit different characteristics.
FUSE: two teachers, one classroom; one special ed, one regular.
Team-teach model: two teachers, one classrom; equal opportunity.
Self-contained: special education separated from the rest of the school. BR> Continuous progress: students are not always separated by grade.
_______________________________________________________
Community Characteristics (check one for each)
Location of school: Urban X Suburban ___ Rural___
General level of parental support: High ___ Medium ___ Low ___
Socio-economic status of majority of students: High ___ Middle ___ Low X

_____ Middle School is at Title 1 school located in a low socio- economic neighborhoods. Over 80% of the students receive free or reduced lunch. Last year, Governor BushÕs A+ Plan gave it a D grade. There are 23 students enrolled in ILAP. One of the most challenging issues in implementing lessons is the chronic truancy problem with about 9 of the girls. Their ages vary from 13 to 16 years old. The lowest reading level is 2.3 while the highest is 9.3. Most of the students are reading and writing below the 8th grade level. Five studentsÕ native language is Spanish. Four students attended alternative schools before attending _____. Due to students backgrounds and motivation, it is important that lessons are a hands on experience.

There is the library for the research part of the project. There is also a speaker from the SERVE who came to discuss Workforce Employment Opportunities. The equipment available is a video camera for the interviewing part of the lesson and an overhead projector.

OR

The students at ____ are low socio-economic, 75% receive free and reduced lunch. The students in my classroom averaged a reading level of 1.2 at the beginning of the school year. This is about 6 months to one year below where they should be functioning at this time. Writing and reading go hand in hand, consequently teaching writing has proven to be a difficult task. This is a continuous progress multi-age school. Children move along a learning continuum according to their developmental level. This is to meet their individual needs.