1 Focus on Literacy

2 Ken Donohue, Ed.D. Principal Merriweather High School

3 Where we began: Our students were among the lowest performing in the district. April, 2001 “Merriweather is a failing school.” The Tribune

4 Merriweather High School Demographics 80+ countries 60+ languages 2/3 second language learners 70% born outside the U.S. 54% on free/reduced lunch 27% mobility rate

5 Merriweather has no ethnic majority Merriweather has no ethnic majority A diverse student body… 38% Hispanic 22% Asian 14% Middle Easter 12% White 11% Black 3% Other

6 Risk Factors Merriweather Faces 1. Language 2. Ethnicity 3. Cultural Diversity 4. Mobility of students and staff 5. Poverty 6. Socioeconomic Stratification 7. Five-Year Building Renovation 8. Gangs 9. Feeder Schools

7 1.School-Community Collaboration 2.Safe Learning Environments 3.Family Engagement 4.Literacy Development 5.Mentoring/Tutoring 6.Service-Learning 7.Alternative Schooling 8.After-School and Summer Opportunities 9.Professional Development 10.Contextualized and Active and Individualized Learning Source: National Dropout Prevention Center. Retrieved October 24, 2006 from National Dropout Prevention Center Effective Strategies Implemented at Merriweather

8 Merriweather High School State Testing Results

9 Our students were among the lowest performing in our school system 89 % attendance system average was 95% 76% or 3 of 4 students read below grade level We passed only 1 of 11 state assessments in 2001 Our SAT’s were the lowest in the district

10 The change process began with a simple question. What do we need to do in order to improve student achievement? Teachers responded… Attendance Reading

11 Use of data. We measured everything, but… We didn’t focus on percentages. We always sought to be the best for our students—one student at a time.

12 What makes our school special? We do the right things, the right way, for the right reasons.

13 What made the difference? Our school-wide focus became literacy. Teachers developed a repertoire of content area reading strategies. We supported teachers through in- services provided by a reading coach. We kept our focus on literacy—and content test scores rose.

14 State Test Results In 2001 our students passed one exit exam. In 2002 our students passed four exit exams. In 2003 our students passed eight exit exams. In 2004 our students passed ten exit exams. In 2005 and 2006 our students passed all eleven exit exams.

15 State test results happened even though: Demographics remained unchanged. There was no infusion of talent. Gang activity rose dramatically. A full-scale building renovation occurred. There was a lack of continuity in middle school leadership.

16 State Assessment Results Percent Passing Reading Lit64%90% Writing73%90%

17 State Assessment Results Percent Passing Algebra I48%100% Geometry63%93% Algebra II55%94%

18 State Assessment Results Percent Passing Biology55%81% Chemistry46%88% Earth Science68%89%

19 State Assessment Results Percent Passing World 160%92% World II62%90% US History50%96%

20 State Assessment Results 8 th Grade v. High School Percent Passing State Assessments The same students three years later! Middle SchoolMerriweather Reading59%94% Writing65%93% Civics/History70%96% Math/Algebra 171%87% Science/Biology84%

21 International Baccalaureate 44% of our students are enrolled in IB courses. The average IB student takes 3 IB courses. Total number of exams taken has increased 248%. 4 Over 80% earned a 4 or above. District average is 67% We never report mean scores. Adapted from Minnesota Department of Education, Drop-Out Prevention Presentation by Dr. Mel Riddile. Retrieved October 24, 2006 from

22 At Merriweather, we’re now proud to say: Our students read and succeed!