Best Practices and Successful Programs for Low Income and Minority Students

Micah Mortensen

The leadership team from the Benson Unified School District shared their success story with the session attendees. Benson has been an “A” district and ranked in the top 10 public school districts in Arizona for the past two years.

Benson Primary School is a Title I Reward School and a 2014 Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Benson Middle School is a National Distinguished Title I School finalist. Benson High School is an A+ School of Excellence and a Golden Bell winner, and San Pedro Valley is a top-ranking alternative school in the state. The district motto is ‘on track for tomorrow.’

Benson’s framework for success has five components: Culture and Leadership; Curriculum; Instruction; Assessment; and Intervention.

An extended school year, quality staff, the leadership team, common language and new teacher induction drive Benson’s culture and leadership. Curriculum, instruction and assessment success stems from commitment to using instructional team leaders and focus on non-negotiables. Benson has a well-defined model for intervention that includes employing STEEP model, focusing on daily math skills, reteaching and enrichment, and targeted intervention.

Throughout the presentation, the participants were provided table-talk time to discuss the  key concepts and rate their district’s focus on them.

The presenters welcomed attendees to contact them for more information. Contact information is provided in the conference support materials.

Helen Hollands
Mesa Public Schools