Bixby Middle School Receives Great Expectations Scholoarships

Our middle school recently received state-funded scholarships that entitled the principal and a selective number of teachers to receive training at a Great Expectations Summer Institute, professional development opportunities throughout the school year, and on-site support services from a Great Expectations mentor teacher.

Summer Institute training for principals and teachers was conducted during the summer months on eleven campuses:  Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Lawton Central Middle School, Woodward Middle School, Plainview High School, Owasso High School, Durant High School, Moore Westmoore High School, Tahlequah Middle School, and Elk City High School.

The Great Expectations Program, founded in 1991, is a scientifically based educational reform model that is bringing major change and innovation to PK-12 public school classrooms in Oklahoma.  The program represents a disciplined approach to learning that empowers teachers to demand and get the best from students, it rekindles the excitement of discovery among both students and teachers, and it pushes everyone involved to greater heights of achievement.

The basic tenets of the program are: 

• high expectations for students,
• a learning climate based on mutual respect,
• student self-esteem,
• a belief that all students can learn,
• positive teacher attitude and responsibility, and
• highly skilled and knowledgeable teachers who enable students to achieve success.

Approximately 4,000 educators in Oklahoma and surrounding states received Great Expectations training conducted during the summer months. 

Bixby Middle Shool is committed to achieving model school status, meaning that 90% of our teachers model all 17 classroom practices daily.  We also have three Great Expectations instructors on staff.