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Plymouth South High School
Creating a Culture that Prioritizes Personalization and Leads to Effective School Change
March 8, 2012NASSP
Monday, March 5, 2012
Where is Plymouth, Massachusetts?
Monday, March 5, 2012
Location - 40 miles south of Boston, MA
Largest town in Massachusetts: population - 52,000, 134 square miles
9 Elementary Schools - 2 Middle Schools - 2 High Schools
Birthplace of the Nation
Monday, March 5, 2012
PSHS Mission Statement
The mission of Plymouth South High School is to deliver a quality education in a caring, safe, and respectable environment that
encourages a diverse student body to become independent, critical thinkers and productive citizens in a changing society.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Facts about PSHS:Relatively New School (Opened with students in 1989)
1400 Students
203 Staff members
True Comprehensive High School (chapter 74 - 14 shops)
19% Special Education
25% Low Income (Free/Reduced Lunch)
6% Non-White
Overcrowded facility (school built for 1200 students)
Monday, March 5, 2012
Compass ActivityNorth
“Let’s do it!”Likes to act, try things, plunge in
West“Paying attention to details...”Like to know the who, what, when, where, and why before
acting
East“Speculating...”
Like to look at the big picture and the possibilities before
acting
South“Caring”
Like to know that everyone’s feeling have been taken into consideration, that their
voices have been heard, before acting
Monday, March 5, 2012
Why a culture shift was needed...
NEASC Status
Dropout Rate
Multiple study halls per student
Discipline/Attendance/Aggressive Behaviors
Grade 9 Failures
Low Behavioral Standards
Crowded Hallways
No Staff Ownership/Accountability
Monday, March 5, 2012
What we do well...
School Culture
Freshman Academy
Advisory
Communicate
Collaborate
Promote Student Successes
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School Culture
Staff Accountability
Advanced Placement Recognition
Literacy Initiative - “Write On!”
Faculty Senate - Rumor Control
Leadership Team - Common Vision
Technology Upgrade
Student Discipline/High Standards
Monday, March 5, 2012
School Change Implementation Timeline
2005-2006 - Freshman Academy
2006-2007 - Freshman Academy with Housemaster
2007-2008 - Initial Review/Research Advisory Program
2008-2009 - Advisory Pilot - Schedule Review
2009-2010 - New Schedule - Advisory Grades 9/10 - Voluntary 11/12
2010-2011 - Old Schedule - Advisory - Senior Project Research
Monday, March 5, 2012
PSHS Freshman Academy
History - Team Structure - Seventh Consecutive Year
Common Planning Time - Technology
Housemaster - Guidance - Staff Teams
Reading Lab - SRI Testing/Lexile Scores
Grade 9 Events: Camp Clark, Barbecue, Academy Awards, etc.
Website - Teacher & Housemaster Blogs
ENHANCED Communication with Families
Monday, March 5, 2012
Logistics of AdvisoryFourth consecutive year
Freshmen and Sophomores mandatory
Juniors and Seniors optional
Curriculum Binders by Grade Level
9th - Transition into High School; Study Skills
10th - Career Exploration; Driver’s License
11th - Personal Finance; Stress Management
12th - Conflict Resolution; Post-Secondary Process
Looping for four years
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Longitudinal Data for Advisory
2008-2009(Pilot Program)
2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012
Advisories Per Week
Two Days25 Minutes/Day
Two Days25 Minutes/Day
One Day25 Minutes/Day
Two Days25 Minutes/Day
Curriculum YesYes
* provided to teachersJune before Sept. start
Yes* additional units created based on teacher input
Yes
StipendAdvisors compensated
for meeting time (hourly rate)
No compensation
$400.00 stipend(SLC Grant)
$400.00 stipend(SLC Grant)
Professional Development
Yes Yes Yes
(added CPT)Yes
# of Teachers Involved
12 Teachers 61 Teachers 76 Teachers 89 Teachers
% of Students Involved
13% of student population
63% of student population
76% of student population
87% of student population
Monday, March 5, 2012
Personalization Goals of PSHS...Achieved!!
Reduced freshman failures
Real life application of education
Reduced Dropout Rate - Sustainability
DRASTICALLY - Improved School Culture
Freshmen Academy
Effective Advisory Program
Senior Project
Monday, March 5, 2012
Senior ProjectThe purpose of the Senior Project is to empower all students to explore
an area of great personal interest that extends beyond the classroom setting. Through this project based learning, students will apply
knowledge and connect research that culminates with a showcase demonstrating their learning stretch. Students will produce physical/
written products, oral presentations, and portfolios.
Proposal
Paper
Practicum
Product
Portfolio
Presentation
“6 P’s”
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Panther TV Story
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Student Perspective
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Seniors: Mariah McKenna and Anna Gleason
Anna - Social Media and the Athlete
Real World Application
Positives
Mariah - The Evolution of Lacrosse
Networking
Challenges
Monday, March 5, 2012
Teacher Perspective
Monday, March 5, 2012
ObstaclesImplementing Change
Contractual Obligations
Disgruntled Staff
Senior Project - Next Steps
Advisory/Senior Project Facilitator
Bell schedule
Other - must keep moving forward
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Where do we go from here?
Redistricting - New North
Increase Population of Senior Project Students
Maintain Advisory Program
Sustain Strong School Culture
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Questions/Answers
“Change is optional; growth is mandatory”-Michael Fullan
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