Updates on state and district initiatives

Student Success Plans, Small Learning Communities, Online Learning Pilot

The BOE has directed administration to look at ways to “transform” current practices and structures with existing (or minimal) resources

This directive was supported by◦ Inability of the district to open an alternative

school program in the Fall of 2011◦ Continuing concerns about the unacceptably high

drop-out rate◦ Continuing concerns about the failure and

retention rate

Improving outcomes for students

Governor Malloy has publically announced that his administration will have an “education reform agenda” signaled by the hiring of Stephan Pryor as Commissioner

Commissioner Pryor’s first public comments were about the “unacceptable achievement gaps” in CT schools and his priority will be to “make real progress” in closing these gaps

CAPSS (CT Assoc. of Public School Superintendents) has released the blueprint for “Next Ed: Transforming CT’s Educational System”

The CT Secondary School Reform Initiative appears to continue to have momentum at CSDE and in the CT General Assembly

On the state level…

Student Success Plans (SSPs)

Small Learning Communities (SLCs)

Online Learning Pilot

Mandates and strategies for improvement

Mandated by P.A. 11-135 To begin 2012-13 school year and each

school year thereafter For ALL students, Grades 6-12 Must include career and academic choices Must be in an electronic format Should be updated at least annually Should travel with the student if school

changes

Student Success Plans

Academic Development◦ Selection of rigorous courses linked to interests,

skills, and possibly career pathway◦ Completion of a portfolio or capstone project

Career Development◦ Interest and career exploration opportunities

Social, Emotional, and Physical Development◦ Decision-making◦ Healthy and safe life skills/choices◦ Possible community service

Areas addressed in SSP

Regular contact with adult mentor/advisor Electronic plan that is regularly revisited,

updated as needed, and travels with student Creation of a portfolio of “best work” and some

form of capstone or culminating experience Opportunities to connect with larger community

in appropriate ways through internships and other workplace development, career exploration, and community service

Essential features of SSPs

Investigate appropriate electronic tools for interest inventories, career exploration, and long term planning

Discuss possible formats for the capstone experience in TPS: what will the product/process be?

Investigate structures for being able to provide mentoring, portfolio building, and capstone completion including possible changes in graduation requirements (required by 2018) and scheduling

Next steps for SSPs

Student centered: a core group of teachers knows a small group of students well

Success oriented: academic and other supports to meet the needs of the whole child

Typically, teachers work in teams Curriculum is revised to show connections

between content standards and student interests or goals

May offer some choice/specialization in academic program (theme or magnet)

Small Learning Communities

Reduce alienation by creating connections and community common in large schools

Reduce boredom by creating relevance (interest-driven and authentic work)

Connections with teachers and other students

Connections between subjects and between school and “outside” world

Essential features of SLCs

Consider expanding/refining the 9th Grade Team concept being piloted this year to assist students in the academic and social transition to high school.

Consider expanding the online learning pilot (if successful this Spring) to serve a greater number and variety of students interested in credit recovery or self-paced learning.

Discussions about whether THS should add a theme-based small learning community in the 2013-14 school year

Next steps for SLCs

Pilot geared towards offering a non-traditional option for credit recovery

Will utilize the Odysseyware online learning platform for curriculum content

Will include a program manager and tutors to provide support and coordination between students, families, administration, and counselors

Provides a very different paradigm for learning:◦ Based on mastery of course content◦ Time is a variable, not based on seat time◦ Different social dynamic, technology is the main

interface for learning

Online Learning Pilot

Current program positives will be preserved as these are working well for many students (traditional model, AP/ECE, etc.)

Something else has to be available for students who are not successful as evidenced by failure and drop-out rate

Educational research converges around the importance of Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships in schools today

Schools are expected to play a larger role than in the past in educating and supporting the whole child

Final thoughts