Search:  FCPS Policies, Bylaws, and Regulations Accountability Facilities and Transportation Services Financial Services Human Resources Information Technology Instructional Services Special Services

PROJECT EXCEL OVERVIEW

The goal of Project Excel, which was implemented in the fall 1999, is to provide the students in 20 "high impact" elementary schools with additional time for learning and an enhanced academic program for learning. The three major components of the plan are increased time for learning, enhanced academic program, and school accountability.

• Staffed class ratio of 1:22 students with maximum class size of 24 or maximum allowed by state K-3 initiative
• Each kindergarten teacher is provided a full-time Instructional Assistant.

Enhanced Elementary Day
Schools began implementation of one of the following models in either September 1999 or September 2000.

• Monday early closing (uniform 61/2 hour day) is eliminated.
• Eight-hour contract day for teachers and IAs with an additional 7 percent of salary as compensation for the extra 30 minutes of contract time.
• TTT remains the same for grades 1-6 and kindergarten will be included.

• Students have an extended school year, with optional two-week intersessions in which remedial opportunities, enrichment, and acceleration are provided.
• No change in teacher contract length, but contract year is extended over
  11 months, with breaks for teachers during student intersessions.
• There must be community commitment to implement this model.

This model is developed and implemented by an individual school. The proposed model requires approval by the Superintendent prior to implementation. The model must provide two hours of additional instruction in core subjects and the cost must be no more than the cost of the Extended Day Model.

An example of a proposal that could be adopted or modified by the individual school is the Extended Day proposal. The features of the Extended Day proposal are:

• Elimination of Monday early-closing
• One-hour of uninterrupted planning time for each teacher during the instructional day. This time is provided through the assignment of additional teachers to provide instruction in the following subject areas: math, GT, physical education/health, music, art, technology, and/or reading. A portion of this extra time must be devoted to providing SOL remediation to students most in need.
• Less elementary fragmentation by reducing classroom "pull-outs" in band, strings, GT, etc.
• Reduction in classroom teacher’s responsibility for art and health instruction.

ENHANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAM

Technology-Based Phonics Instruction, K-1
All schools would be provided with technology that supports phonemic awareness and phonics instruction for all kindergarten and first grade students.

Implementation of Research-Based Instruction Model
After staff study, schools will be expected to adopt one of the following instruction models:

• Direct Instruction
• Reading Recovery Higher Impact
• Reduced Class Size
• Success for All

SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY

• A task force of teachers, principals, and parents developed criteria for awarding a bonus to all staff members at schools that meet or exceed their Student Achievement Index (SAI) goals. The SAI is a composite of SOL pass rates and Stanford 9 scores.
• Results of the previous years testing are used as baseline data.
• Grade-by-grade testing beginning in the 1999-2000 school year will be as follows:

OTHER ISSUES/GUIDELINES

• Schools were required to have a majority vote of school-based instructional staff and demonstrate evidence of community support in selecting which curriculum model and extended learning model they implemented.
• All schools will be required to provide an uninterrupted block for reading and writing.
• Technical support in scheduling is provided to all schools.
• Funding for Project Excel is in addition to any resources each school is currently receiving.

PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS

The following 22 schools are currently Project Excel schools:
Annandale Terrace, Bucknell, Cameron, Dogwood, Fort Belvior, Glen Forest, Graham Road, Groveton, Halley, Hollin Meadows, Hutchison, Hybla Valley, London Towne, Mount Eagle, Mount Vernon Woods, Parklawn, Pine Spring, Riverside, Westlawn, Weyanoke, Woodlawn, and Woodley Hills

TIME LINE

• Schools implemented full-day kindergarten in fall 1999. Schools have the option of implementing the enhanced elementary day model beginning with the 1999-2000 school year.
• Implementation of the research-based curriculum model in
  September 2000.

Questions and Answers About Project Excel

Project Excel Academic Programs

Project Excel Schools Exceed Expectations; Focus Turns to Grades 3-6 - March 2002

SOL Pass Rate Increases for Excel Schools are More Than Double Those for all Fairfax County Schools - September 2001

Sharp Increase in Number of "Project Excel" Kindergartners to Pass Phonemic Awareness Test - September 2000