OSPI has reviewed the most current research available and distilled common threads that highlight effective secondary schools. Project Graduation is an attempt to identify the commonalities that represent the most effective practices for schools to improve student achievement and accomplish the stated goal. These evidence-based practices will be the foundation of renewal and re-invention.
Personalized Learning PowerPoint (ppt)
Data & School Improvement:
Data Informed Decisions Using a Continuous Improvement Process
- Authentic process with longitudinal access to diagnostic information at the district, school, teacher, student, level
- Classroom-based assessment information available to teachers and connected with longitudinal information
- Classroom-based assessment circulates to the School Improvement Process
- Use Nine Characteristics of High Performing Schools
- Measure Success using Data
Rigor & Expectations:
Increase the Rigor of Education and Expect Quality Results from Students
- Student engagement – Portfolio, Culminating Projects, High School & Beyond Plan
- College Dual Credit for the capable, not just the exceptional
- Rigorous CTE programs with cross crediting options (Blended academic and vocational studies — Teachers have designed integrated projects combining physics and electronics; geometry and auto mechanics; English and marketing; algebra and drafting; physics and agricultural science; and medical terminology and Spanish)
- Increase Middle School Rigor
- Meaningful Senior Year
- Curriculum that is relevant to students’ lives
- Relentless attention to increasing adolescent literacy
- Increase student enrollment in “gatekeeper” math and science
- Implement a rigorous “college prep” curriculum for all students
- Deeply align GLE’s with curriculum, instruction, and assessment
- Project and theme-based learning – Critical thinking, problem solve
Advocacy & Advisement:
Advocate/Advisory Model that develops meaningful relationships between adults and students
- Transform counseling and advisory services
- Student-led conferences
- Design explicit strategies for re-engaging out-of-school youth
- Meaningful Student Learning Plans
- Advocate for every family
- Student information available to staff, parents, and students
- Involve parents
- Become a culturally competent organization
9th Grade Transitions & Extra Help:
9th transitions & Extra Help Programs - Connect with Middle Schools and accelerate literacy, math and science curriculum
- Gearing up program – Identify 7th and 8th grade students needing help
- Four to Six week summer program for identified incoming high school students
- Extra help – double doses of math and reading/literacy
- Monitoring through meaningful advisory programs – Advocate for every family
- Increase annually the number of students taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade
- Lower teacher student ratio in 9th grade – Best Teachers in 9th Grade
- 9th grade teachers with common planning time
- Transition Classes for English, Mathematics using a block schedule structure
- CTE courses in 9th grade using a block schedule structure
Instruction Student Work:
Instruction is Student Centered with Focused Professional Development and Learning Processes
- Professional learning communities focused on student learning and results (Critical Friends)
- Professional teaching standards described from the student performance perspective
- Reflective questions and deep dialogue about student work
- Professional learning time available for staff (common planning time, late arrivals, early release, I-728 before and after school, etc.)
- Teaching as a public act
- Instructional coaching and modeling for all staff
- Professional growth for all staff
School Structures:
Creative and Artful Use of School Structures
- Replace large comprehensive structures with smaller learning environments
- Analyze and reconfigure the use of time and resources
- Schedules – 4x4x8 or trimester schedule as opposed to traditional 6 period day – More opportunity for students
- Data system that allows teachers to review live and longitudinal information
- Standards-based portfolio system (electronic)
- Students receive credit based on performance– Not Seat Time
- Students with same teacher for more than one class
Personalized Learning:
Personalize Education for All Students
- Student information accessible to teacher, student, and parent
- Advocate/advisory Model - Create relationships so every student will be well-known, both personally and academically, by at least one adult staff member
- Meaningful Student Learning Plans
- Replace large comprehensive structures with smaller learning environments
- Standards-based portfolios for students
- Culminating projects & High school and beyond plans
- Courses Offered to Students Driven by Student Selection
- Meaningful, relevant curriculum
- Teacher learning groups looking at student needs and work
- Meaningful personalized plans for teachers
- Regular opportunities for students to evaluate their own learning
- Ask students as the customers what they think
Courageous Leadership:
- Developing and articulating a shared vision of improvement
- Believing that schools are for learning
- Valuing human resources
- Communicating and listening effectively
- Being proactive
- Taking calculated risks
- Creating an environment supportive of individuals in the process of change