student success plans, small learning communities, online learning pilot
TRANSCRIPT
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