Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Creating and Sustaining Small Learning Communities (SLC) Building a culture focused on continuous improvement

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Given… An absolute commitment to promoting academic excellence and the personal development of all students and A belief that our district must create learning environments based on a commitment to continuous improvement and

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Given… School data and Labor market data We are determined to take responsibility now for the continuous improvement of the educational outcomes for all students.

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Our data… xxx freshman xxx tenth graders* xxx eleventh graders* xxx twelfth graders* Freshmen…the real story: –xxx new ninth graders –xxx second-year ninth graders –xxx third-year ninth graders –xxx fourth-year ninth graders –xxx fifth-year ninth graders * need to disaggregate repeaters for these grades

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Our interpretation Through dropout and drift out, we are losing too many of our students. X percent of our students are ninth graders. Only x of x of our students make it to twelfth grade. About x of our tenth graders make it to twelfth grade. X percent of our eleventh graders don’t make it to twelfth grade. We do not have significant data on successful postsecondary experiences.

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. America’s Most Successful High Schools: Those making the most gains have… SLC approaches Commitment of administrators and teachers to excellence for all students Laser-like focus on data Ninth grade focus Twelfth grade focus High quality curriculum Solid, dedicated leadership Relationships driven by guiding principles Sustained and supported professional development ** **Will Daggett

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Our Mission… Graduates will: Be college and career ready, as demonstrated by… Be ready to assume active roles as citizens and community members, as demonstrated by… Be instilled with a readiness and ability to learn more, as demonstrated by…

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. To ensure this for each child, we commit to: Setting high expectations for all students and staff Being data-driven at the district, school, and classroom levels Addressing the academic needs of all learners

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Integrating college readiness and career preparation into each child’s plan for success Aligning policies and practices to support continuous improvement at each school Creating a secondary improvement system that is embedded in a process of continuous improvement, not a reform or redesign strategy that will not transcend time

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Providing systemic and appropriate professional development for all staff Involving parents, community partners, businesses, and postsecondary partners in the life of the schools and in the desired outcomes for our students

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. To ensure this for each child, we commit to the following educational experience:

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. A strong transition experience that begins during the latter half of eighth grade and will include: Working with teachers and guidance counselors on identifying student needs Mapping of curriculum across grade levels Identification of students not yet ready to fully succeed in ninth grade A transition “Summer Bridge” academic, study, and personal skill development program Orientation to high school program

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. An environment for teaching and learning that is delivered in small learning communities that involve a cohort of an administrator, guidance counselors, teachers, and students who stay together in a small school environment

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Small learning communities that will: Comprise a heterogeneous group of students Encourage and listen to “student voice” Build relevance through career exploration or career themes reflecting industry and academic standards Provide ninth grade students with a freshman experience course and twelfth grade students with a senior transition experience Develop a six-year educational and career plan for each student Be supported by the literacy coaches, data coaches, and technology coaches Be supported by a guidance program that includes personal, academic, and career counseling

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Allow students to participate fully in an array of academic and enrichment experiences, including athletics and the arts Provide students with the opportunity to pursue all available diploma options, dual/college enrollment, and CTE certifications and to participate in community service and work- based learning experiences Support students through an advisory/family advocacy program Involve the cohort of teachers in regular common planning time focused on instruction and students’ needs

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Deliver high-standards curriculum by highly qualified instructors in a schedule format that supports the mission Provide support for English language learners and Special Education students; and provide extra help strategies for students performing below grade level and students who are performing below a “C” in any academic course Include accelerated learning opportunities for Honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and dual enrollment in postsecondary institutions An academic program that will…

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. A school climate that is … Safe Respectful of all Equitable Culturally rich in programs and services that meet the diverse needs and interests of all students

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. The short list: Our “Non-Negotiables” or “Commitment Framework” Equity, equity, equity Small, personalized environment for teaching and learning Core groupings Effective common planning Focus on achievement Alignment of policies and practices Access to decisions/policy/budget Engagement and shared leadership

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. The structure that supports student and school success: Small Learning Communities… …structure and instruction focused on personalized, high-achieving teaching and learning environments

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Characteristics of High-Quality SLC Provide a rigorous academic core and concentration for all students Frequently connect high-quality career/technical programs within a program of study Ensure that all students have a solid academic foundation by the end of grade ten and meet higher expectations for postsecondary success Provide extra help to support students in achieving high standards Establish a guidance and advisory system that helps students take the right courses

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. continued… Effectively involve parents and families in planning a rigorous program of studies for the student Actively engage students in learning Provide curriculum and instruction to challenge students to think at higher levels, complete high-quality work, and develop essential literacy skills Use data to drive decisions and continuously improve performance Limit the number of students in the smaller learning community to 300–400

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. SLC continuum… Administrative structure (principal, lead teacher, guidance) Teams of students and teachers (400–500, subteams of 150) Heterogeneous groupings Semi-autonomous determination regarding use of time Location/home base Academic focus or theme Extra help for students Data-driven decisions Shared common planning Focused professional development Identity—practices and beliefs Freshman orientation and support Student voice Advisory Postsecondary preparation Senior project Service learning

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. What Success Looks Like—Data Narrowed achievement gap Increased proficiency on state tests across the board More higher education matriculation Better graduation rates Improved climate Access to high-wage careers

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Shared common purpose drives teachers, administrators, staff Students are engaged and challenged They feel important and cared for Teachers are at the top of their game, comfortable with team approaches and new pedagogies New energy, results, opportunities No more success for some

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Expected Outcomes Improved student attendance Improved student achievement Decreased dropout rate Improved graduation rate Families connected through school-level advocate Students prepared for postsecondary education and careers

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Benefits to Educators Collaboration with colleagues Improved instructional strategies, including project-based learning Engaged students Academic rigor and content relevance connected to student career interests and needs

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Benefits to Communities Prepared graduates Improved graduation rates Better employees Responsible citizens Improved workforce

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Why do they yield RESULTS? Engaging curriculum Sense of belonging Caring adults Continuity and connections Focus on interests and aptitudes Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Build the school you dream… Build the school you need! SLC Design Options…

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. One way to “build” it…

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Ninth grade team of 260 MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Ninth grade team of High Expectations Center MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Ninth grade team of High Expectations Center MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success Five Small Learning Communities Tenth through twelfth grades 314 Themed by career clusters or individualized instruction data-driven extra help and support strategies An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Ninth grade team of High Expectations Center Non-new 9 th grade students MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success Integrated Options Perhaps ala “The Met,” RI 314 data-driven extra help and support strategies An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Five Small Learning Communities Tenth through twelfth grades An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Themed by career clusters or individualized instruction

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Ninth grade team of High Expectations Center Non-new 9 th grade students MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success Integrated Options Perhaps ala “The Met,” RI 314 data-driven extra help and support strategies An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Five Small Learning Communities Tenth through twelfth grades An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Creating College AND Career Ready Graduates Themed by career clusters or individualized instruction

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. And yet another…

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Small Learning Communities Ninth through twelfth grades 361 Data-driven extra help and support strategies 361 Themed by career clusters or individualized instruction 361

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Small Learning Communities Ninth through twelfth grades 361 Data-driven extra help and support strategies 361 Themed by career clusters or individualized instruction 361 Creating College AND Career Ready Graduates

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. And yet another…

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Ninth grade team of 260 MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success Data-driven extra help and support strategies An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Tenth grade team of 200

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Ninth grade team of 260 MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success Data-driven extra help and support strategies An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Three Small Learning Communities Eleventh through twelfth grades 380/SLC An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Themed by career clusters or individualized instruction Tenth grade team of 200

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Ninth grade team of 260 MS Creating "HS Ready" Eighth Graders Summer Bridge to Success Data-driven extra help and support strategies An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Three Small Learning Communities Eleventh through twelfth grades 380/SLC An absolute commitment to QUALITY instruction in each classroom Themed by career clusters or individualized instruction Tenth grade team of 200 Creating College AND Career Ready Graduates

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. We know the why and what… Now, for the how…

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Create school-based, district-connected, planning teams now Begin with a detailed assessment Use the GMS SLC Tool Kit —SLC Implementation and “Punch List” Build a case for change Engage everyone in the conversation

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Are we there yet? No—but we’ll know we are closer when… Climate surveys reflect… Multiple forms of assessment are in place Structures and instruction match the vision Students are performing at high standards, as demonstrated by… Parents and families report that… Community partners…

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. A possible immediate approach… by the numbers Go find the multiyear ninth grade repeaters and “treat” them NOW—Why are they here? What do they need? Move them forward! Identify the repeaters and review schedules and supports. Make a plan—now!

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. What is it going to take? District and school leadership Board support School ownership Community support Teacher engagement Parent involvement Student participation Ongoing pressure and support

Copyright © 2008 by GMS Partners, Inc. Creating and Sustaining Small Learning Communities (SLC) Building a culture focused on continuous improvement And now the work begins!