freshman plus: a multi-faceted support system for at-risk ninth graders dr. carol kelley...
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Freshman Plus:A Multi-faceted Support System
for At-Risk Ninth Graders
Dr. Carol [email protected]
Alicia [email protected]
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…”