RPS - A 21st Century School District

“Too many of our students fail to graduate from high school with the basic skills they will need to succeed in the 21st Century economy, much less prepared for the rigors of college and career.” Bill Gates, Chairman Microsoft Corporation

What the World Needs"The world needs you to be forever the generation...of strategic optimists, the generation with more dreams than memories, the generation that wakes up each morning and not only imagines that things can be better but also acts on that imagination every day."                                        The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman, p. 635

 

Core Beliefs

• Socially responsible students for a global society• Rigorous 21st Century Curriculum for all students • Ongoing, relevant PD expected of all staff• Regular internal goal-related review and

reflection • Student-centered curriculum, PK-12 • Healthy body and healthy mind• Extended day and extended year• Technology Team which understands, helps

develop, and supports the goals of the school

Infrastructure

• Wireless Access• Dual Platform • Open Source Software Applications• Physical spaces encourage collaborative

learning• Controlled Climate ☺• Maintenance and Renewal of Physical

and Technical Infrastructures

Student Centered Curriculum, PK-12

• Strong communication skills, e.g. reading, writing, listening, and speaking

• Strong core content in math, science, and humanities - real world connection

• Commitment to 21st century content, esp. o Information and media literacyo Global studies, economic and financial

• Health and wellness o Schedule will support student athletes

Core Beliefs in Action

• Common Intellectual Experiences School and district wide discussions Benchmark culminating projects at elementary, middle and high school

• Social Responsibility Students respect for property Community Service

• Multiple distance learning opportunities More choice for students Opportunities for college credit

• “Flat world-proof” Vocational Preparation At the High School, concentrations, certification of advanced study,

(e.g., plumbing, automotive, electrical)

Instruction

• Common Planning Time• Small Class Sizes (15:1)• Flexible groupings• Heterogeneous & Homogeneous• Early Childhood Center

o Pre-K and K togethero Mandatory all-day kindergarteno Early 2nd language instruction

Assessment

• Regular Student Self-assessment • More Choices for Student Self-

assessment• New and emerging technologies used as

assessment vehicleso Blogs, wikis, podcasts, videos, social

bookmarking

Student Support

• Expanded Learning Centers• Homework Centers• Academic Advisory Program• Guidance and Counseling Services• Health Professionals in All Buildings• Professionally-staffed Library Media

Centers

The World is Flat (and small)"We Americans will have to work harder, run faster, and become smarter to make sure that more of us are able to connect and compete, collaborate and innovate on the flat-world platform...But remember: the most important competition is now within yourself - making sure that you are always striving to get the most our of your own imagination, and then acting on it."                                                                                        The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman, p. 635

The Time is Now 

According to Robert Gavin, writer for the Boston Globe...• The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce states that the

pool of skilled workers will shrink over the next 5 years, fewer BS degrees than other states, and 90,000 jobs will continue to go unfilled each year in the state

 • Recommendations include improve teaching of STEM fields

along with more visas for foreign workers, interneships at MA companies, and help students attend college.

       Boston Globe, "State Expects to see fewer young skilled        workers", 11/1/08