Application for the 2013-2014 School Year

www.kealinghornets.org

2013-2014

Application Packet

Packet contains: 1. Letter to Prospective Applicant 2. Application Form 3. Writing Tasks 4. Two Teacher Recommendation Forms 5. Application Checklist and Admission Test Dates 6. Shadow Application (optional) 7. How Applications Are Scored

Admission Test Sessions

Session 1 Fulmore MS December 15 All 8:30 – 10:30 Session 2 Kealing MS December 21 All 8:30 – 10:30

Last Name A-L 8:00 – 10:00 Session 3 Fulmore MS January 12 Last Name M-Z 10:15 – 12:15 Last Name M-Z 8:00 – 10:00 Session 4 Kealing MS January 26 Last Name A-L 10:15 – 12:15

Session 5 Kealing MS February Test during shadowing

Application Deadline Friday, January 25, 2013 (if shadowing)

Friday, February 8, 2013 (if not shadowing)

Kealing Magnet Showcase Thursday, January 10, 2013

6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

An opportunity to meet Magnet teachers in their classrooms and visit with current Magnet students and parents

Dear Prospective Applicant: Thank you for your interest in the Kealing Magnet Program. The Kealing Magnet Program is an advanced academic program and we have limited enrollment. These application materials will allow us to assess your qualifications and predict your potential success in our program. All information must be received before your application can be processed and reviewed by a teacher team. Your completed packet must be in our office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2013. If you want to shadow (visit), the completed packet is due by 5:00 p.m. on January 25. The Application Checklist will help you organize your materials, and this same checklist must be the first page of your application. The second page of your application is the Application Form. Please complete this form neatly and accurately. The form must be signed by you and a parent or guardian. If you are currently in an AISD school, you must include your student number, which can be found on your report card. The next three pages of your application are your paragraphs responding to the writing tasks. Please use a separate piece of paper for each paragraph. Write the prompt or topic at the top of the page. Write your name and your student number, if you have one, on the back of each page. Page six is a copy of your most recent STAAR scores. If you are coming from a school other than a Texas public school, please submit a copy of your most recent standardized test scores. Page seven is a copy of this year’s first semester report card (showing all grading periods from August through December). The next two pages (pages eight and nine) are Teacher Recommendation Forms. Your teachers most likely will mail the completed recommendation form to the Kealing Magnet Program rather than giving the form to you. Your two recommendations must be from teachers who instructed you during this school year or last school year. One recommendation form should be from a teacher who instructed you in math or science and the second recommendation form should be from a teacher who instructed you in language arts/reading or social studies. If you have only one teacher in these areas this year, please also request a recommendation from a teacher from last school year. You also must take an admission test as part of the application process. You may attend a Friday or Saturday test session or take the admission test during one of the class periods if you come to Kealing to shadow in February. The Kealing Magnet Program faculty and I look forward to receiving your completed application. If you or your parents have any questions, please call the Magnet Office at 414-3180. On March 9 we will mail you information about the status of your application to the Magnet Program. Sincerely, Beth Cooper Director of Magnet Program

Kealing Middle School 1607 Pennsylvania Avenue Austin, Texas 78702-2020 (512) 414-3180

Estimado Solicitante: Gracias por tu interés en el Programa Magnet de Kealing. Este es un programa académico avanzado y tenemos inscripciones limitadas. Los documentos de esta solicitud nos permitirá evaluar tus calificaciones académicas y de desarrollo y predecir tu posible éxito en nuestro programa. Es preciso que se reciba toda la información antes que se procese y un equipo de maestros revise tu solicitud. Necesitamos recibir el paquete completo en nuestra oficina para las 5:00 p.m. el viernes 8 de febrero del 2013. Si quieres visitar (ser sombra), necesitamos el paquete completo para el 25 de enero. La Lista de Verificación de la solicitud te ayudará a organizar tus materiales y será la primera página de tu solicitud. La página dos es el formulario de solicitud. Favor de llenar esta forma con nitidez y exactitud. Asegúrate que firmes el formulario usted y uno de tus padres o tu custodio legal. Si estas en una escuela de distrito escolar de Austin, debes incluir tu numero de estudiante que puedes encontrar en tu reporte de calificaciones. Las siguientes tres páginas de tu solicitud son tus párrafos respondiendo a las tareas de escritura. Favor de usar una diferente hoja para cada párrafo. Escribe el tema arriba de la pagina. Escribe tu nombre y numero de estudiante, si tienes uno, al revés de la pagina. La página seis es una copia de los más recientes resultados del STAAR. Si viene de otra escuela, fuera de las escuelas publicas del estado de Texas, favor de incluir los resultados de pruebas de ese estado. La pagina siete es una copia de las calificaciones del primer semestre de este año. (Todos los períodos de calificacíon de agosto a diciembre). Las dos páginas siguientes (pagina ocho y nueve) son formas de recomendación de los maestros(as). Tus maestros(as) pueden preferir enviar estas recomendaciones por correo al Programa Magnet de Kealing. Dos recomendaciones tienen que ser de maestros(as) que te hayan dado instrucción este año escolar o el año pasado. Una de las recomendaciones debe ser de un maestro de matemáticas o ciencias y la segunda debe ser de estudios sociales o lenguaje/lectura. Si solamente tienes un maestro en esta area este año, por favor de pedir una recomendación de un maestro del año pasado. También tendras una prueba de admisión como parte del proceso de la aplicación. Puedes asistir una sesión de prueba el viernes o el sábado o tomar el examen de admisión durante uno de los períodos de clase si vienes a visitar Kealing comó sombra en el mes de febrero. La facultad del Programa Magnet y yo esperamos con gusto recibir tu solicitud debidamente llenada. Si tus padres o tú tienen algunas preguntas, por favor llamen a la Sra. Jo García al 414-6701 (para español) o a la Oficina del Programa Magnet de Kealing, al 414-3180. El 9 de marzo del 2013 te enviaremos notificación de tu solicitud. Atentamente, Beth Cooper Directora del Programa Magnet

Kealing Middle School 1607 Pennsylvania Avenue Austin, Texas 78702-2020 (512) 414-3180

RETURN WITH APPLICATION

KEALING MAGNET PROGRAM 1607 Pennsylvania Avenue, Austin, TX 78702-2020

APPLICATION FORM

For School Year 2013-2014

(Please type or print) Student Name: ______________________________________________________________________________ AISD Student Number: ___________________ Birth Date: Circle one: Male Female Student Address: ___________________________________________ Zip Code: ________________________ Current (2012-13) Grade: Current School: _______________________________________________ AISD Assigned School (2013-2014): _____________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name(s): _____________________________________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Email Address (if available)_______________________________________________________ Telephone Numbers: Home _________________________ Work _________________________ (Parent/Guardian) (Parent/Guardian) Home __________________________ Work _________________________ (Parent/Guardian) (Parent/Guardian) I certify that the work contained in this application is the work of the student. Signed Date ___________________ Student Signature Date ___________________ Parent/Guardian Signature

Austin Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, disability, or English language skills in its programs and activities.

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

Date received:

WRITING TASKS Write THREE essays.

Directions. Answer question #1, then choose any TWO of the other questions to answer.

• Answer each question on a separate page. • Write the question at the top of the page. • On the back of the page write your name (and your student identification number if you are

in an AISD school). • Your responses may be typed or hand-written. If you type, please double-space.

Answer Question #1. You must answer this question in one to two paragraphs (at least 100 words in length): 1. Why is the Kealing Magnet Program the best place to meet your specific academic and personal goals and

how would you contribute to the Kealing community? Answer any TWO of the following questions. Each response should be at least 100 words in length but no longer than one page. Be specific and give examples. 2. After you have finished reading a book, how do you decide if the book was worthwhile? What criteria do you

use? (Evaluative Thinking) 3. Describe a time when you took a significant risk by “going against the herd” – choosing a course of action

different from what others chose. Explain what you did, why you did it, and what you learned. (Risk-Taking) 4. Describe a challenging activity or project that took you a long time and discuss what kept you working.

(Perseverance) 5. You are visiting the remains of an ancient settlement. You see a collection of artifacts: a metal sphere 1 inch

in diameter, a clay bowl, a marble figurine of an animal, and a massive stone sculpture with human features. Explain three things you can determine about life in this community based on the artifacts. (Critical Thinking)

6. These are examples of different types of nets. Describe at least ten (10) ways to use these nets.

(Creative Thinking)

Kealing Magnet Program

Teacher Recommendation Form Current AISD Student Name: _________________________________ Grade: ___________ Student ID: _________________________________ Teacher Name: ________________________School: _____________________ Grade level you teach (taught) this student: ________ (Only recommendations from current or prior year’s teacher are accepted.) Subjects you teach (taught) this student: Language Arts/Reading Social Studies Math Science Teacher’s Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Please rate the student for each of the criteria below based on your observations of the student in your classroom.

Never Occasionally Sometimes Often Always 0-5%

of the time 25%

of the time 50%

of the time 75%

of the time 95-100%

of the time

0 1 2 3 4 Produces work that is above academic grade level.

Performs well on topics that may not be of particular interest to him/her.

Produces work products that are organized, accurate and thorough.

Aca

dem

ic A

bilit

y an

d A

chie

vem

ent

Submits class work and homework on time.

Is eager to learn.

Goes beyond the required assignment to resolve unanswered questions.

Is willing to take intellectual risks.

Mot

ivat

ion

and

Initi

ativ

e

Is curious about academic topics.

Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems.

Integrates complex information.

Pro

blem

S

olvi

ng

Is aware of patterns and connections among ideas.

Is effective at presenting his/her own ideas verbally.

Is effective at presenting his/her own ideas in written form.

Relates well to others when working.

Contributes to the group process in a positive manner.

Com

mun

icat

ion

and

Col

labo

ratio

n

Is open to the ideas of others.

Demonstrates a high level of integrity in the classroom and school.

Is respectful of individual and cultural diversity.

Shows empathy.

Per

sona

l and

W

ork

Eth

ics

Is focused and self-directed.

Revised October 2012

Kealing Magnet Program

Teacher Recommendation Form Current AISD Student Name: _________________________________ Grade: ___________ Student ID: _________________________________ Teacher Name: ________________________School: _____________________ Grade level you teach (taught) this student: ________ (Only recommendations from current or prior year’s teacher are accepted.) Subjects you teach (taught) this student: Language Arts/Reading Social Studies Math Science Teacher’s Signature: _______________________________________________ Date: ___________________ Please rate the student for each of the criteria below based on your observations of the student in your classroom.

Never Occasionally Sometimes Often Always 0-5%

of the time 25%

of the time 50%

of the time 75%

of the time 95-100%

of the time

0 1 2 3 4 Produces work that is above academic grade level.

Performs well on topics that may not be of particular interest to him/her.

Produces work products that are organized, accurate and thorough.

Aca

dem

ic A

bilit

y an

d A

chie

vem

ent

Submits class work and homework on time.

Is eager to learn.

Goes beyond the required assignment to resolve unanswered questions.

Is willing to take intellectual risks.

Mot

ivat

ion

and

Initi

ativ

e

Is curious about academic topics.

Actively looks for and suggests solutions to problems.

Integrates complex information.

Pro

blem

S

olvi

ng

Is aware of patterns and connections among ideas.

Is effective at presenting his/her own ideas verbally.

Is effective at presenting his/her own ideas in written form.

Relates well to others when working.

Contributes to the group process in a positive manner.

Com

mun

icat

ion

and

Col

labo

ratio

n

Is open to the ideas of others.

Demonstrates a high level of integrity in the classroom and school.

Is respectful of individual and cultural diversity.

Shows empathy.

Per

sona

l and

W

ork

Eth

ics

Is focused and self-directed.

Revised October 2012

RETURN WITH APPLICATION 2013-2014

KEALING MAGNET PROGRAM Application Checklist

and Admission Test Dates Name: ____________________________________________ AISD Student ID# _________________ (Please print) The Application Review Committee will not review an application until all required items have been received. The following checklist is provided to help you organize these items. Check off each item as you complete it and assemble the items in the order listed below. Required Items

_____ Application Checklist (page 1) _____ Application Form (page 2)

_____ Writing Tasks (pages 3, 4, and 5) _____ Copy of most recent STAAR scores or scores from a nationally-normed achievement test (page 6)

(Complete STAAR reports with scale scores are scheduled for release in January 2013. If scale scores are not available by the application due date, please submit STAAR reports with raw scores.)

_____ Copy of first semester report card (page 7)

_____ Two teacher recommendation forms (pages 8 and 9) (mailed by teacher or included in packet)

_____ Admission Test *– Select ONE of the following test session dates. (Registration is not required.) *In order to request testing accommodations, submit 504 or special education documentation (indicating the accommodations in place for the current school year) to the Magnet Director at least five days prior to the test session.

_____ Session 1: Saturday, December 15 @ Fulmore MS from 8:30 – 10:30

_____ Session 2: Friday, December 21 @ Kealing MS from 8:30 – 10:30 (Student holiday)

_____ Session 3: Saturday, January 12 @ Fulmore MS (Last name A-L: 8:00-10:00/Last name M-Z: 10:15-12:15)

_____ Session 4: Saturday, January 26 @ Kealing MS (Last name M-Z: 8:00-10:00/Last name A-L: 10:15-12:15)

_____ Session 5: I will take the test during a class period when I shadow at Kealing in February.

_____ Request to Shadow at Kealing (optional – page 10) Return your completed application to: Beth Cooper, Magnet Director

Admissions, Kealing Magnet Program 1607 Pennsylvania Avenue

Austin, TX 78702-2020

Application Deadline January 25, 2013 by 5:00 p.m. (if shadowing)

February 8, 2013 by 5:00 p.m. (if not shadowing)

REQUEST TO SHADOW AT KEALING SUBMIT THIS REQUEST WITH COMPLETED APPLICATION BY

JANUARY 25, 2013

Students applying to the Magnet Program may visit Kealing for a day. Current 5th graders will each be paired with a 6th grade student host and accompany (shadow) that student to each of her/his classes. Current 6th graders will be paired with a 7th grader and current 7th graders with an 8th grader. If you feel that such a visit would help you in your decision process, send this form with your completed application no later than January 25, 2013 to:

Beth Cooper Admissions, Kealing Magnet Program 1607 Pennsylvania Ave. Austin TX 78702-2020

For the most prompt response, please include an e-mail address (print clearly), so that we may notify you of your assigned shadowing date. If you don’t check emails daily, provide a phone number where a parent can be reached during the day and evening. The earlier in January you submit a completed application, the earlier in February you will be able to shadow. Because we have a very large demand for this program, if you cancel or forget to come, we cannot guarantee that you will be rescheduled. Shadowing will be offered only from February 1 until February 28 with no shadowing on February 18. To be scheduled for a visit, students must have a completed application on file in the Magnet Office by January 25, 2013. In order to maintain the learning atmosphere that students are coming to see, we limit the number of visitors on any single day. We appreciate your understanding, and we will fill your request on a first come, first served basis. You are responsible for making arrangements at your school AHEAD OF TIME so that you will not be counted absent. The Kealing Magnet Office will give you a letter verifying the day spent at Kealing. Students need to sign-in at the tables in the Library. Plan to arrive at Kealing by 7:20 a.m. Classes begin at 7:30 and school dismisses at 2:47. Please bring paper, pen and pencil, and a book to read. Students visiting 6th grade must bring lunch. Students visiting 7th or 8th grade may bring a lunch or lunch money. ($2.25 is the standard lunch price.) Students may ride the Kealing buses. For Magnet bus schedules, go to www.austinisd.org/schools/bus/. When students sign-in, they will need to tell us how they will be getting home at dismissal. Students need to know who will be picking them up at 3:00 or the number of the correct bus to ride home if they will be taking the bus. Parent pick-up is easier if parents arrive after the buses leave at 2:55. Students will be waiting in the Library at the end of the day. Si necesita esta información en espaňol, por favor communíquese con Jo Garcia al 414-6701.

______________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE RETURN THIS PORTION TO KEALING MAGNET OFFICE WITH THE COMPLETED APPLICATION

Date(s) in February when you cannot shadow at Kealing:_____________________________________________________________

Student Name: ____________________________________________________ Gender: Male Female

Current school: ___________________________________________________ Current Grade: 5th 6th 7th

Parent/Guardian Name: ________________________________________ Day phone # __________________________

E-mail __________________________________(if you check e-mail daily) Evening phone # _____________________

If you do not check e-mail daily, please include a mailing address: ______________________________________________

I plan to take the admission test at Kealing when I shadow. _______ YES _______ NO

OPTIONAL

We cannot contact you if your writing is illegible!

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15

16

17 18 No Shadowing: Student Holiday

19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28

February

Kealing Magnet Program Shadowing Calendar 2013

Revised October 2012 Matrix Form

How Applications Are Scored

KEALING MAGNET PROGRAM EVALUATION MATRIX AND RUBRICS

Student Name __________________________________________

Student’s Current Grade Level _________

Rate each item on a scale from 0 to 10.

ITEMS SCALE 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 WRITING TASKS Total score for 4 writing tasks (writing task during test session counts double) divided by 2 Writing Tasks 1______ 2_______ 3______ Test Writing Task _______ x 2 Add writing scores then divide by 2. Score ______

STAAR TEST (or other approved Standardized Test) Percentile Rubric or Scale Score Points Reading ______ ______ Math ______ ______

Add rubric points then divide by 2. Avg. Points ______

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE Rubric Points Report Card Grades ______ Teacher Recommendations ______ Add rubric points then divide by 2. Avg. Points ______

ADMISSION TEST Score ______

AISD Number

See the reverse side to learn how a scale score is assigned to each component of the application.

Revised October 2012 Matrix Form

How Applications Are Scored Additional Information

1. WRITING TASKS (0-10 points) Each writing task is designed to elicit evidence of a behavior or skill that is important to a student’s success in the Kealing Magnet Program. Each task is scored 1, 2, 3 or 4. If for some reason the writing task cannot be scored (illegible, incorrect language, misunderstood the directions), the writing task will receive a “0.” Each writing task is scored by a team of three teachers. 1 = content illustrates almost no evidence of the behavior, skill, or motivation typical of the grade level 2 = content illustrates minimal evidence of the behavior, skill, or motivation 3 = content illustrates solid and convincing evidence of the behavior, skill, or motivation 4 = content illustrates strong and overwhelming evidence of the behavior, skill, or motivation Scores for the four responses are added together (the writing task during the admission test counts double), divided by 2, then recorded on the matrix. 2. STAAR TEST (or other approved standardized test) (0-10 points) Complete score reports with scale scores for the spring 2012 STAAR test results are expected in January 2013 and the rubric scale (0-10) will be determined at that time. (If scale scores are not available by the application due date, please submit STAAR reports with raw scores which will be used to determine the rubric points.) 3. SCHOOL PERFORMANCE (0-10 points) Scores from Report Card Grades (0-10) and Teacher Recommendations (0-10) are totaled and divided by 2 to determine the average for the overall School Performance score (0-10).

REPORT CARD GRADES Core subject area grades are averaged to

determine scale score. Scale Average Grade

10 97 or higher 9 94 – 96 8 91 – 93 7 88 – 90 6 85 – 87 5 82 – 84 4 79 – 81 3 76 – 78 2 73 – 75 1 70 – 72

TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS Total points from two teacher

recommendations determine scale score. Scale Total Rating

10 145 – 160 9 130 – 144 8 115 – 129 7 100 – 114 6 85 – 99 5 70 – 84 4 55 – 69 3 40 – 54 2 25 – 39 1 10 – 24

4. ADMISSION TEST (0-10 points) Students will take a 40-minute admission test to assess nonverbal ability and complete a 30-minute writing task during a test session administered by a professional school staff member. The writing task counts as part of the “Writing Tasks” scored criteria.