Leveled, small group reading and writing instruction takes place in classes each day. A Literacy Coach develops curriculum with transition teachers who have had special training in Secondary Literacy and models instruction for teachers. Teachers have Common Planning Time and share effective instructional strategies. Students at Level 1 in math receive additional math instruction. Math teachers meet weekly to assess the effectiveness of the math curriculum.
Teachers develop term objectives using the Citywide Learning Standards.
Students are required to develop term products at level 2 or better as measured by the appropriate task description or standards-based rubric. Rubrics guide instruction and help students develop quality products. The BPS Math Plan is being fully implemented at the ninth grade level. Small Learning Communities meet weekly to discuss student work and identify effective strategies to address students' learning needs. All Burke classrooms are connected to the Internet with access to e-mail.