DN 101: An Introduction to Diplomas Now Keeping Every Student on the Path to High School Graduation, College Readiness and Adult Success

Welcome and Purpose The purpose of this session is to: Provide information on the history and current status of Diplomas Now Explain the roles and purpose of Diplomas Now Partners Identify the roles and purpose of Diplomas Now teams Share best practices Allow participants to ask clarifying questions about Diplomas Now and their role in the implementation of the model.

Agenda 1.Purpose 2.Group Activity 3.Review of the Agenda 4.History of DN and current locations 5.Overview of the Process 6.Description of Roles 7.How it Works 8.Questions, Comments, Concerns

What is Diplomas Now? Diplomas Now is a comprehensive model for school improvement that helps the toughest middle and high schools in America’s largest cities ensure that every student graduates ready for college or career. The Right Supports The Right Supports To The Right Students To The Right Students At the Right Time At the Right Time It is the first fully integrated model that improves a school’s curriculum and instruction while it provides direct support and interventions to students.

Diplomas Now Investing in Innovation Fund Validation Grant  $30M federal grant + $6M match through generous support of the PepsiCo foundation  60 high poverty middle and high schools in 10+ districts reaching 57,000 students  Conduct randomized experimental study validating the impact of the model, and focusing on the conditions necessary to:  Achieve 80% grad rates in high schools  Reduce by 66% the number of students entering high school below grade level 1,700 Applicants49 Grantees “Cutting-edge ideas that will produce the next generation for reform.” -Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education

Current DN Footprint Seattle 2 schools Los Angeles 5 schools San Antonio 2 schools East Baton Rouge 3 schools Miami 6 schools Washington, DC 1 school Chicago 3 schools Detroit 3 schools Columbus 3 schools Boston 3 schools New York City 2 schools Philadelphia 5 schools Jacksonville 2 schools

Diplomas Now Cities and Schools BOSTON, MA McCormack MS The Burke HS The English HS CHICAGO, IL Chicago Talent Development HS Gage Park HS John Hope College Prep HS COLUMBUS, OH Linden McKinley STEM HS Mifflin HS South HS DETROIT, MI Clippert Academy Detroit Collegiate Prep HS Noble ES (K-8) EAST BATON ROUGE, LA Capitol MS Broadmoor MS Belaire HS JACKSONVILLE, FL Andrew Jackson HS Matthew Gilbert MS LOS ANGELES, CA Clinton MS Liechty MS Manual Arts Senior HS Thomas Jefferson HS MIAMI, FL Allapattah MS Drew MS Edison MS Booker T. Washington HS Homestead Senior HS Miami Carol City Senior HS NEW YORK CITY, NY John Ericsson Middle School 126 Newtown High School PHILADELPHIA, PA Dimner Beeber MS E. Washington Rhodes MS Feltonville School of Arts & Sciences Grover Washington MS Woodrow Wilson MS SAN ANTONIO, TX Rhodes MS Luther Burbank HS SEATTLE, WA Denny International MS Aki Kurose MS WASHINGTON, DC Cardozo HS

The Partners Schools & Districts

Diplomas Now A Comprehensive Secondary School Transformation Model Case management for social service referrals to community partners Small group and individualized counseling Needs Assessment and Resource Mapping Teams of near peer mentors Instructional supports Attendance monitoring and coaching Behavior monitoring and coaching Afterschool/extended learning One on one small group mentoring Whole school positive climate School organization and scheduling (double and triple dosing) Teacher teaming and research-based curriculum Job-embedded professional development Early Warning Indicator and Response Systems School climate Integrated Student Supports Targeted Support & Whole School Prevention Whole School Reform / Improvement

In School with Diplomas Now – At a Glance Principal School School Transformation Facilitator (STF) Talent Development Program/ Impact Manager City Year Site Coordinator Communities In Schools Asst. Principal Schoo l

The DN Goals Overall EWI Distribution: At least 67% (two-thirds) of students within DN focus grades have no EWIs at the end of the school year. Attendance Of students that were off-track at any data point: 50% or more move on-track Behavior Of students that were off-track at any data point: 50% or more move on-track ELA/Literacy Of students that were off-track at any data point: 50% or more move on-track Math Of students that were off-track at any data point: 50% or more move on-track

Communities In Schools

For more than 30 years, Communities In Schools has been helping students achieve in school, graduate and go on to bright futures A nationwide network of passionate professionals working in public schools to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life There are nearly 200 local affiliates serving 1.25 million students in 2,700 schools in 27 states and D.C.

The CIS Model of Integrated Student Services

City Year

Whole School Whole Child Model Classroom Support Targeted Support Whole School Prevention Critical mass of people power Diverse “near peer” role models and tutors Full-time and extended day Idealistic culture/energy Real-time response to need Enable differentiated instruction Reinforced classroom learning For hundreds of students in school Academic and socio-emotional School climate, attendance, positive behavior and enrichment programs Family engagement Tiers of ImpactCorps Member Assets Improved student Attendance, Behavior and Course Performance: English & Math Improved on-time grade progression Student mindset and skills for school achievement and civic participation Improved student Attendance, Behavior and Course Performance: English & Math Improved on-time grade progression Student mindset and skills for school achievement and civic participation

City Year Supports Teachers in Implementing the Common Core State Standards WSWC intervention strategies and tools center on key math and literacy domains of CCSS ELA interventions support development in 3 main strands: Foundational Skills, Reading, and Language Math interventions support grade-level Standards for Mathematical Content and Practice Corps members are trained to scaffold content for struggling students and support teacher-driven content delivery leading to mastery within math and literacy classrooms Corps members help reinforce classroom curricula, pedagogy, standards and learning practices through extended day programs, interventions and just-in-time learning City Year integrates with teacher teams to support data- informed interventions to help students reach grade-level proficiency.

Talent Development Secondary

Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary Research-based reform model designed by Johns Hopkins University Established model working in schools since 1994 Serving more than 100 schools & reaching more than 50,000 students, almost 90% of whom qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch Running three schools, two of which are Diplomas Now sites. US Department of Education-approved turnaround and transformation provider Talent Development model given a second-highest rating as an effective dropout prevention program Quick Facts!

Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary – The 4 Pillars

Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary – Key Components Small Learning Communities Teacher Teams Early Warning Indicator Meetings Common Planning Time 4x4 Block Schedule (high school) Acceleration Courses and Instructional Coaching Extended Time Literacy & Numeracy Courses (middle school) Climate Twilight School (high school) Distributive Leadership

Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary – Tactics Scheduling Career Academies (High Schools) Coaching Cycle

Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary – High School Curriculum Freshman Strategic Reading ALFA LAB Transition to Advanced Mathematics Freshman Seminar Sophomore Reading and Writing in Your Career Geometry Foundations Career Academy Blended Mathematics Junior College Prep Reading and Writing Algebra II Foundations Career Academy Blended Mathematics Senior Career Academy Blended Mathematics

Johns Hopkins Talent Development Secondary – Middle School Curriculum ELA Math Science Social Studies Social Studies Climate & Character Student Team Literature Savvy Readers’ Lab TD Writing Program Hakim’s History of US Everyday Math (recommended) District program Transition Math & Algebra Math Acceleration Lab Hakim’s Story of Science District program support High Five As & Bs Climate Program Mastering the Middle Grades curriculum

The Schools

The School District Works with the Schools and the Diplomas Now Team to: Collaborate with DN partners on creating a process for integrating each partner in the school culture Work with DN team to develop and maintain a positive school climate Include all partners in the writing of the school’s improvement school year Co-design & implement master schedule that will allow model to be implemented Allow designee from each DN partner to serve on the school’s leadership team

Other School Responsibilities EWI System Support the bi-weekly EWI meetings Include all DN partners & teachers of the students on the “focus list” Provide access to students’ baseline and program outcome data Professional Development Provide suitable staff development for all DN partners, as necessary Collaborate with DN staff to develop trainings throughout the year Space Provide a suitable space for each partner Include tables, desks, chairs to deliver services and activities Allow access to copier, office supplies, and other materials agreed upon

The DN Model

The Diplomas Now Model Data Supports Easy access to student data on the Early Warning Indicators Benchmarks tied to national and state standards On-site facilitator to leverage EWI data Professional Development Supports Job-embedded coaching - Math and English instructional coaches Professional learning community Professional development linked to grade/subject specific instructional practice Student Supports Interventions to address early warning indicators of Attendance Behavior Course Performance Multi Tiered Response to Intervention Model 10 to 15 City Year AmeriCorps members: whole school and targeted academic and socio-emotional supports Communities In Schools on-site coordinator: case managed supports for highest need students and brokering and linking students to needed and appropriate resources 3-4 sections Teacher Team (3-6 teachers) Whole school attendance, positive behavior, college- going culture Strengthening student resiliency Organizational Supports Bi-weekly EWI meetings On-site school transformation facilitator Inter-disciplinary and subject focused common planning time Professional Development and technical assistance focused on Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions (PBIS) Instructional Supports Double dose math & English Extra help labs Common college preparatory or high school readiness curricula

Diplomas Now Works with Students & Schools DN’s Work with Students & Schools Partners with the School Community Integrates Student Support & School Improvement Provides At-Risk Students with Caring Adult Support Gives Adults Tools to Improve Student Success

Diplomas Now Work with Administrations &Teachers DN’s work with teachers and administration Academies and Small Learning Communities Extra Help Curriculum Aligned with CCSS Technical Assistance (Scheduling, Staffing, Data Systems) Early Warning Indicator System Professional Learning Communities and Teacher Teaming

Standard Team Structures National Exec Team DNIST Local Exec Team Local Ops Team School Team *in applicable cities

The Diplomas Now Implementation Doug Elmer, Director of DN / DN Guru Sheila Drummond, Deputy Director Matt Wernsdorfer, Field Director Jessica Herman, Deputy Director Kathy Nelson, Deputy Director Columbus San Antonio Seattle Columbus San Antonio Seattle Baton Rouge Chicago Los Angeles Miami Philadelphia Washington, DC Boston Detroit New York Kellie Hinkle Diplomas Now Manager of School Turnaround, City Year