PARENT MEETINGOCTOBER 11 , 2010

The Dalles Wahtonka High School

Pathways to Success

TDW SPIRIT

CREDIT for Proficiency

Building an Environment of Excellence

At The Dalles Wahtonka High School we are working to create an environment that truly promotes academic success

Staff and Students have developed the acronym; S.P.I.R.I.T to describe the positive changes they are creating at the school

“Whatever it Takes”

S.P.I.R.I.T

Success

Pride

Integrity

Respect

Involvement

Teamwork

Strive for Excellence

Represent and support myself and my school positively

Take responsibility for my actions

Value myself and others

Be an active participant in all that our school has to offer

Positively support and encourage one another

SPIRIT Conduct Guidelines

SPIRIT groups have developed

these guidelines to describe what staff

and student conduct should look like at The

Dalles Wahtonka High School.

Credit for Proficiency

Credit for Proficiency simply means that High School credit is awarded when a student has shown that they know and understand the course material and/or they can demonstrate a specific skill.

WHAT Does it Mean?

Credit for Proficiency and Graduation The Oregon Department of

Education has set new graduation requirements

Beginning with the class of 2012, students will have to demonstrate that they possess essential skills (are proficient) in several of the Core Areas of Learning. (reading, writing, math, science) in order to earn a high school diploma

By awarding credit for proficiency, the school ensures that each student can in fact demonstrate the essential skills that they will need in order to earn their diploma upon graduation

Why?

Credit for Proficiency

Oregon Dept. of Education and the National Academic Association set the standards that determine what students must know at each grade level.

Teaching staff work in groups to develop common methods for assessing student progress in Core Areas.

How does it work?

Credit for Proficiency

Students know and understand the course content and what they need to learn up front.

Students demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities through assignments, projects, and assessments.

Students receive regular feedback about their progress.

Credit for Proficiency

Grades are based on how well student’s know the material.

Students may receive a grade of A, B, C to receive High School Credit for the course.

Rather than a grade of “D” or “F” students would receive an “I” indicating “In Progress”

How are students graded?

Credit for Proficiency

Students who receive an “I” at the end of the term will have opportunities to continue working in the specific area of study during the following term in order to learn the material.

This ensures that students have the knowledge they need to move on to the next level successfully.

What happens if you get an “I”

Credit for Proficiency

TDWHS is currently implementing testing this process in some math and science classes.

The goal is to have the process and guidelines fully developed and implemented by September 2011 for the 2011/2012 school year.

When will this happen?

SPIRIT and Credit for Proficiency

The Dalles Wahtonka High School is striving for excellence, whatever it takes. By creating an environment that promotes success, and realigning curriculum and assessment to ensure that students have every opportunity to master the materials before moving on to the next level we will ensure that students are fully prepared for the next stage in life.