Secondary Program Study

“ We will proactively review our junior and senior high school program requirements and master schedule, keeping in mind the desire to provide optimal student learning and achievement within the resources we have available.” As you reflect upon what you don’t yet know or understand about the secondary program study, what is it you hope to learn or better understand when our study is completed? Please spend 2-5 minutes writing your own responses to the above question.

Group Norms Stay engaged Listen to learn Attend regularly Be present in conversations by contributing Listen to learn Suspend judgment Honor the integrity of colleagues and predecessors Avoid dominating the exchange of information, ideas, and suggestions

4. Retain confidentiality 3. No hierarchy of roles 4. Retain confidentiality No content attributed to specific individuals Honor agreed upon communication timelines 5. Begin and end on time 6. Please bring your own snacks and beverages

Reality (The context and circumstances) Board directed   Mission driven Vision guided State of Minnesota funding uncertainties Graduation requirements may change or be modified Professional development needs will occur as a result of any changes Consider the Maintenance of Effort impacts with Special Education Strong instructional staff Current support for 4 block and alternating day block schedules Submit recommendations by October of 2010 Student load and class size are presently increasing to accommodate budget reductions Student loads and class sizes may change with different options This work is a long-term redesign Discuss and plan for the possibility of program reduction, program change, and schedule change, should they occur in the course of this work Plan proactively for fiscal realities

Desired Results (The desired outcomes of the options) Accommodate shared staff Must meet State and District requirements for graduation Stakeholder participation Research supported Need to meet diverse student population needs Similar schedule grades 7-12, if possible 21st Century Skills are provided for in the schedule Flexibility for extended learning time Multiple recommendation options will come from the committee Develop secondary program options that reflect both educational and fiscal priorities

Unacceptable (The ways or ends that will not be supported by the decision makers) Can’t violate statute, policy, or contracts   Can’t extend timeline Can’t increase cost-must decrease Cannot overextend facility use Secondary program design cannot depend upon reductions in other district programs Must be sustainable into the future Program recommendations will not be driven by the desires/pressures of special interest groups or political requests

Materials for our next meeting on Sept. 16 Review study timeline Materials for our next meeting on Sept. 16 The Challenge of College Readiness, by David T. Conley Learning for the 21st Century, by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills