1. Secondary Schools Summit Challenges and Opportunities The Teachers Perspective

2. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 142 Teachers Network Leadership Institute Panelists Juanita Pritchett, Glasgow High School Lorraine Caputo, Sussex Central High School Secondary Schools Summit Challenges and Opportunities

3. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 143 Teachers recognize that our secondary schools can educate our students more effectively by concentrating change on the following areas: Stronger Curriculum School Climate Parental Engagement Secondary Schools Summit Challenges and Opportunities

4. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 144 Areas of Improvement Stronger Curriculum – In order for our schools to prepare students for work and college, we, as teachers, need the tools to push our students toward success. Priority Need – Schools need to implement a strong and effective curriculum that incorporates the states standards, additional assessments, student readiness, and student learning styles.

5. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 145 Present Day Reality 32% of Delaware students graduate from high school on time and ready for college. 17% of Delawares high school students took AP courses and scored at least a three on the exams in 2003. Students and teachers need greater access to time, tools, and information. Areas of Improvement

6. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 146 Action Steps Greater Access to Stronger Courses Differentiated Curriculum Greater Resources for Teachers Vertical Integration Between Grades Areas of Improvement

7. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 147 School Climate Change – Secondary schools are not providing the resources and services that both students and teachers need to be successful. Priority Need – School climate needs to be such that it provides the greatest opportunity for students to succeed regardless of outside pressures, and schools need to be places where students feel safe and have ownership of their education. Areas of Improvement

8. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 148 Areas of Improvement Present Day Reality Half of new teachers leave the profession in five years. Wellness centers and counseling services in schools are not meeting student needs. Large schools often do not provide teachers and students with opportunities to succeed.

9. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 149 Action Steps Student-focused Services More Effective Teacher Training and Retention Improve Environmental Conditions Move Toward Smaller Schools Areas of Improvement

10. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 1410 Parental Engagement – Teachers and parents need to work together effectively to ensure student success in all aspects of their education. Priority Need – There is an information gap between the school and the home that prevents parents and teachers from working together. This is especially prevalent in secondary school where students and parents may not communicate about what is happening in their schools. Areas of Improvement

11. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 1411 Areas of Improvement Present Day Reality Parents often feel alienated from schools. Parents and teachers do not communicate effectively for student success. School structures make effective, ongoing interaction between teachers and parents difficult.

12. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 1412 Action Steps Improve Information Dissemination More Opportunities for Parent Teacher Communication Greater Buy-in for School Mission and Vision Expand Student Participation. Areas of Improvement

13. Rodel Charitable Foundation of Delaware | March 1413 Secondary Schools Summit Challenges and Opportunities For more information regarding the Teachers Network Leadership Institute contact: Michael Rasmussen Rodel Foundation of Delaware Phone: 302.504.5248 Email: mrasmussen@rodelfoundations.org