The following link has existing Schools of Innovation in Arkansas. After examining the existing Schools of Innovation, what are some ideas that we should include in our School of Innovation at Hall?
http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/learning-services/schools-of-innovation
I have a friend who is an AP at another School of Innovation. I'm going to check with her to see how it works for them.
ReplyDeletePlease let us know what you find out from your AP friend. Thanks for blogging with us! :-)
DeleteWe must address the needs of the high achievers and the students who are falling behind, and everyone in the middle. Could we do several academies or a mixture of programs? We already do that so well here---with ESL, AVID, SPED, Metro... I'd hate to see us lose some students because we become too focused on one idea.
ReplyDeleteWe can do anything that we decide. What are some other academies you have in mind?
DeleteRE: We must address the needs of the high achievers and the students who are falling behind, and everyone in the middle. Could we do several academies or a mixture of programs?
DeleteI agree. Within 9th thru 12th grade-level academies, would pre-assessing to determine proper placement help with this? Some of the charter schools do this and it works.
Looking through these schools it seems as though many have adopted a school (of innovation) within a school model. Such as an under credit/over age school of innovation within a traditional high school model. Is our plan for whole school change? --McAlpine
ReplyDelete@ McAlpine - It is very possible that we will roll out the SOI in phases which could mean one or two grades in the first phase and then go school wide by the final phase. What are your thoughts relative to if we were to consider the whole school approach?
DeleteR. Browning, School Improvement Specialist
It is very possible that we will roll out the SOI in phases which could mean one or two grades in the first phase and then go school wide by the final phase. What are your thoughts relative to if we were to consider the whole school approach?
DeleteThe whole school approach seems to be better, as it will address the needs of all students rather than a select few. As we view OUR SCHOOL'S DATA, the vast majority of our students are not meeting expectations in math,reading, literacy or science. What might the advantage be to roll out SOI in phases?
DeleteI was not impressed when I looked at the list of other schools that are schools of innovation. Those schools participated one year. Why would we subject our staff, resources, and limited finances to start something that will not be a permanent part of our education process here at Hall High School. We have programs that are working and need to continue (Tutoring,ESL, AVID, and Metro).
ReplyDeleteI think all of the programs you mentioned will continue (tutoring, ESL, AVID, metro). I know what I'm specifically looking at, and what we are already planning to address (regardless of whether we do school of innovation), is repeaters in core classes (instead---credit recovery through a blended model), concurrent credit, and an RTI/advisory/enrichment... period. With School of Innovation, we don't have to throw out the baby with the bathwater--- a lot of it can have to do with scheduling, use of time in the schedule, etc. The district also has plans for some new courses and career pathways that will be announced with specifics in January, so that will also be included. I hope everyone will keep an open mind as to what we can do, and not fear that we are stepping into something that won't last. I believe the changes we choose together to make can be lasting and impactful.
DeleteMany of the applications were a bit underwhelming. I'm not certain if all of those applications represent those that were approved by the Office of Innovation. There are a few schools that have retained approval in Arkansas and weren't included in this list of applications. Keep in mind that the applications posted here is a small sample. I'll work to post some links to other ideas of innovations to be included. Also, it should be noted that the LRSD grants office will write grants to support funding any innovation we are approved to implement. Additionally, we are not in search of programs. Becoming a SOI entails a paradigm shift in thinking and actions as it relates to teaching and learning. In the links that will be provided, examples of innovation in education will shed more light.
DeleteHall has problems that need to be addressed and fixed. We continue to put bandages on them, decorate them with buttons and bows, throw money at them and rename them. There must be a willingness to freely dialog about real issues with the full intention of resolving them and then, doing so. What is the purpose of the school of the innovation? What specific problems will a school of innovation solve? Will the specific innovative changes that we implement solve these specific problems? If so, HOW will they solve the problems that we just listed? As stated above, "becoming a SOI entails a paradigm shift in thinking..." Yes it does. What causes a paradigm shift in thinking? How do we DO that? This shift in thinking must however, happen first or here we go again. The idea of a school of innovation is welcoming, but can we "clean up the old" first? Does it contribute to student achievement or detract from when teachers are given more responsibilities without being relieved of existing ones? I love the idea of an SOI, but let's deal with some issues first that are contributing to our existing failures. MLefear
DeleteI am not afraid of change, but it must be purposeful and smart change, not just change for the sake of change. Until we address our biggest issue, which is the fact that the majority of our students are three or more grade levels behind in math and literacy, we are going to be wasting our time and effort. If this issue is being addressed with the school of innovation status, I'm all for it! What we are currently doing isn't working, and I want our students to be successful!! Ebarb
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ebarb, it is imperative that we address the issue of the students being three or more grade levels behind when they enter Hall. This may mean that one innovative action that we need to consider is establishing direct relationships with our feeder school schools and establishing interventions before they begin school in the fall.
DeleteAn Innovation: What if we had a 9th Grade Academy, 10th Grade Academy, 11th Grade Academy, and 12th Grade Academy? Along with the different academies, what if we had several teams of teachers for each grade level academy?
ReplyDeleteAs an example: If there are 250, 9th graders, there would be roughly ten, 9th grade teacher teams consisting of 10 math, 10 english, 10 science, an assigned AP (who would be an active part of the team) and associated 9th grade elective teachers (health, pe, art, choir, band, computer, etc) and several active co-teachers ( maybe 1 floating as needed, co-teacher for each subject, per team). We would not just arbitrarily place students in pre-ap and ap classes. This compromises the integrity of the rigor. To determine placement, there would be a pre-determined requirement, so we would assess each student's skill level to make sure they are appropriately placed. This would make sure that each student can successfully do the work and be successful. (This can change, as needed) Each team would have 25 students each and the team would regularly collaborate to discuss their students' academic deficiencies and strengths, as well as behavioral concerns. The team would apply and assess various measurable strategies used for student achievement. If they don't work, do something else. There could be a once per month meeting (called a faculty meeting) of all teams in the academy. There would be pre-planned 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th grade managed and relevant field trips, speakers (for the whole academy), etc.....
Also Instead of 8 different classes per quarter (right now we call it college and career ready, but even colleges and universities don't require 8 classes per quarter or semester), let's have 4 classes per quarter with heavy cores being the 2nd and 3rd quarters in preparation for the ACT Aspire and ACT, given in early spring. The 1st and 4th could include study/organization skills and seminar classes, act prep classes, other 1/2 credit electives. to prepare academically and character build. This could be done for each grade level academy. It would also help our relationships with students, as we would have a more personal relationship with them. What would the pros and cons of this arrangement be?
I like several things that West Fork High School is doing. They have a personalized learning Academy that includes blended learning through online content and teacher contact. The students control the space, pace, place and time to complete course formats. This allows the higher performing students to move ahead with course work and not be held back while the ones who need more time and focus to understand something receive an opportunity to have more time. I like the idea of personalized learning plans. I am not sure I like that students must apply for this academy. This could always be tweaked to fit Hall. Pages 5 and 7 of their application have a lot of useful information. This would be great, especially with our 9th and 10th graders.
ReplyDeleteRE: "This allows the higher performing students to move ahead with course work and not be held back while the ones who need more time and focus to understand something receive an opportunity to have more time."
ReplyDeleteMany or our students are not motivated. How would this arrangement help those students who need "more time and focus", but may not be motivated? Is it like the arrangement we have now with the NovaNet lab?