Lexington High School What is happening in Tiger Town, USA? Faculty Meeting March 24, 2010

Implementing Focus Teams In cooperation with a consulting agency (High Schools that Work [HSTW]), we have instituted five focus teams to improve the areas in which we feel weakest: 1. Literacy and Numeracy across the Curriculum 2. Quality CTE and Programs of Study 3. Transitions and Advisement 4. Rigor and Raising Expectations 5. Culture of Success

Dana Savage and Shirley Wallace

We All Teach READING! We must have strategies to help students interact more effectively with informational text. We will provide you with suggestions. Goals: 1. Engage classroom texts 2. Maximize what they learn and retain. We must expect students to use the strategies we teach!

Why Does Literacy Matter? Improving students’ ability to comprehend informational text will positively impact: What they retain in class Rigor in our classes ACT reading scores ACT science scores Performance in college and the work place

Things We Can Do Now: Have required reading in the classroom Use long answer/essay questions on assessments Have students take notes from classroom texts for themselves Model for students how to interact with text to maximize what they take away from it

Incorporate Math into Your Classes! Numeracy = the ability to recognize opportunities to apply math and problem solving skills to real world problems and situations Students need to be able to set up problems as well as to solve them. We will provide strategies for you to help students find ways to apply math and science concepts in their assignments and projects across subject areas.

Brandon Rainey

CTE Students Achieve Academic Success: Significantly higher student achievement in reading, mathematics and science, as reported by the Southern Regional Education Board. Career and Technical Education Reduces Dropout and Absentee Rates: In a Gates Foundation report, 81% of students who dropped out said that “more real world learning” may have influenced them to stay in school. The Value of Quality CTE Programs

CTE Students Experience Increases in Earnings and Improved Employment Outcomes: CTE graduates are 10-15% more likely to be in the labor force, and earn 8-9% more than graduates of academic programs, according to a 2001 Russell Sage Foundation study. CTE Students Achieve Postsecondary Success: The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 2000 found that vocational concentrators were more likely to obtain a degree or certificate within 2 years, despite employment while in school. The Value of Quality CTE Programs

Mission: Preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities. Vision: To provide Tennessee students the opportunity to participate in a rigorous and relevant career and technical education program that leads to academic achievement and successful employment in a global economy. In Tennessee, CTE overall returns $2 for every $1 invested. At the secondary level, CTE program completers account for over $13 million in annual tax revenues. Tennessee CTE Programs

Improving student success in both academic and technical achievement. Encouraging students to complete a focused CTE Program of Study. Viewing all students as candidates for post-secondary education including industry certification. Keeping teachers current in technological and skill changes in their field and in current teaching methods. Challenges for CTE at LHS

Danny Beecham

Transitioning into LHS (8 th to 9 th Grades) High School Counselors meet with Elementary Counselors Individual Registration Sessions (Parents and Students) with Elementary Counselors 8 th Grade Visits to School – Invitation to 8 th Grade Celebration – School Video 8 th Grade Celebration Freshman Orientation – Separate Student and Parent Nights Freshman Academy Teaming LEB Teachers - Mentoring Continually Throughout the School Year Shadowing by Request

Internal Transition within LHS (9 th Grade to Upperclassmen) Individual Counseling Sessions each Year for Registration 11 th Graders Invited to College Fair LEB Teachers – Mentoring Continually through the Year Identification of at-risk students via risk indicator form. Student list compiled and shared during staff development (needs to be re-implemented).

Transition Out of LHS (12 th Grade to College/Career) College Day at LHS College and Military Recruiters Set Up at Lunch to be Available to Students College and Military Recruiters Visit LEB Groups Individual College Days (2 per year) Work Base Learning Classes Voc-Rehab counselor for special needs students Renaissance Job Shadowing Possible Group College Days

Holly Cooper

SDW19 Key Practice: High Expectations Motivate more students to meet high expectations by integrating high expectations into classroom practices and giving students frequent feedback. HSTW

Our Team Will Evaluate: RIGOR Do we expect our students to perform at cognitive complexity necessary for grade level, college, and career standards? Do we align our instruction and assessment to meet those cognative complexity levels? RAISING EXPECTATIONS Do we define grade level work? Do we focus on quality of student work? Do we utilize standards- based grading? Do our teachers work together to create common expectations?

Our Team Will: Review our current status on High Expectations Indicators Determine one major action to increase the rigor of assignments and assessments to align with college and career readiness. Determine one major action our school can take to ensure students have clear expectations for achievement. Determine one action to raise expectations for students to complete quality work through effective grading practices. Determine one major action to develop common expectations for students.

Matthew Vaughan

What is a Culture of Success? Team Improvement Focus: More cooperation between faculty More active involvement in the HSTW agenda by all faculty members More positive public relations images sent to the community of Lexington More academically-oriented conversations with students

Lt. Col. Mike Goolsby Senior Aerospace Science Instructor MSgt. Eric Kocke Aerospace Science Instructor LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

“A Culture of Success” Mission “Develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community” Goals (instill the values of) - Citizenship - Service to the u. S. - Personal responsibility - Sense of accomplishment Air force core values - Integrity first - service before self - Excellence in all we do

What are Junior ROTC’s Contributions? Uniform wearing instills pride and discipline Afrotc awards and ribbons provide ample opportunity to achieve success - positive rewards Drill and ceremony builds self-confidence in students Leadership skills provide a path to a successful career that can extend well beyond high school

AFJROTC Drill Team A Winning Tradition!!!

Questions?