freshman plus: a multi-faceted support system for at-risk ninth graders dr. carol kelley...

Freshman Plus:A Multi-faceted Support System

for At-Risk Ninth Graders

Dr. Carol Kelleyckelley@volusia.k12.fl.us

Alicia Parkerakparker@volusia.k12.fl.us

New Smyrna Beach High School1015 Tenth Street

New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168(386) 424-2555

New Smyrna BeachHigh School

2,000 students in grades 9-12 1 out 5 or 20% are ESE More than 1 out of 3 or 38% are economically

disadvantaged 1 out of 10 or 10% are non-white 64% attend post–secondary institutions Designated as an “A” or “B” school for the past 3

years

The Need 2007-2008* Freshman Data

95 “Level 1” readers on the regular diploma track 43 of 95 were ESE 42% failed English 1

65% earned a D or F in English 1 39% failed Biology 1

53% earned a D or F in Biology 12.6% failed English, Biology and World History

*This data has been fairly consistent over the last several years

The Purpose:

Increase the academic success of at-risk

9th graders

The Goals

Increase the percentage of course credits earned by at-risk 9th graders

Increase academic and social success of at-risk 9th graders

Increase content area reading comprehension skills of at-risk 9th graders

Position 9th grade at-risk students on track to graduate

GlobalCommunity

•AP Courses•AVID

•Computers for College/Careers

•Diversified Cooperative Training

•Foreign Language•Mass Media•Health & PE

•Performing Arts•Reading

•Specialized Electives•Speech/Writing Public Service

Academy• Criminal Justice Operations• Academy of Teaching and

Coaching• Government, Law,

Psychology, Social Services

Biotechnology Academy

•Agritechnology & Environmental Resources Academy

•Culinary Arts Academy•Medical Academy

Academy of Digital Media & Marketing

•Marketing & Sports Marketing•Television Production•Information Technology•Entrepreneurship

Academy ofEngineering & Design

• Building Construction Technologies

• Engineering–Project Lead the Way• Interior Design Services

New Smyrna Beach High SchoolSmall Learning Communities

2008-2009

School of Performing& Fine Arts

•Art•Band

•Chorus•Dance•Drama

Professional Learning Community

Program Coordinator

Biotechnology

Academic Teacher

ESE Teacher

Counselor

Digital Media & Marketing

Academic Teacher

ESE Teacher

Counselor

Engineering & Design

Academic Teacher

ESE Teacher

Counselor

Public Service

Academic Teacher

ESE Teacher

Counselor

The Freshman Plus team consists of:

•4 academic teachers

•4 ESE teachers

•4 guidance counselors

SchedulingEnglish 1

Biology

Algebra (1 or 2 periods)

Intensive Reading

Computers/PE

SLC elective (Career and Technical Education course)

Critical Thinking Skills (Freshman Plus)

30-minute Academic Intervention Period

*Students will take World History their 11th grade year which allows them to have a CTE elective

Program Components Academic:

Regular tutorials for core subject areas Daily 30-minute academic intervention periods Upperclassman tutors Organizational skills/Interactive Notebook Vocabulary reinforcement and enhancement Individualized interventions Regular collaboration with academic teachers Consistent parent contact

Program Components

Social Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens Career planning/visioning Career-related guest speakers coordinated to

CTE selection School, community and world awareness

Program Components

Emotional Celebrations of success Seminars on student issues (dating, anger

management, abusive relationships, etc.) Small group and one-on-one counseling

Results: Course Failures

2007-2008:Without Freshman Plus

2008-2009:Freshman Plus

English 42% English 9%

Algebra 40% Algebra 18%

Biology 39% Biology 9%

2.37 GPA 3.04 GPA

Results

85% of Freshman Plus students were promoted to 10th grade

3.04 overall GPA at the end of the year (Entire 9th grade class: 2.52)

38% of the students had a GPA of 3.0 or higher

64% made learning gains on the Reading FCAT

57% scored at level 2 or 3

Results Internal climate survey:

Freshman Plus students rated 23 of 25 items higher on the Likert scale than the school at large.

The instrument was the HSSSE. 25 selected items to elicit information on the

following: Perceptions of the school, personal motivation, and perception of relationships with adults.

Creating a Climate of Success

A school history of high school redesign School culture committed to student

success Structure provided collaboration among

adults Focused and on-going staff development Emphasis on results

“…the rest of the story…”