Perspectives and Practice: Creating One Better High School National High School Center Summer Institute 2008

1. Perspectives and Practice:Creating One Better High SchoolNational High School CenterSummer Institute 2008 Dr. Molly P. Howard 2008 NASSP/MetLife National High School Principal of the Year Jefferson County High School Louisville, Georgia

2. Jefferson County High Schoolrose from the ashes…

3. Jefferson County High School Opened in 1995 Rural, East-Central Georgia Single High School in the district Approximately 1000 students 82% Economically Disadvantaged 78% African-American, 22% Caucasian, and <1% Latino

4. “Deeper” Reflection Revealed: A system of “haves” and “have nots” Complacency and acceptance of failure Educational practices that created low levels of self-efficacy (students and teachers) Fear of change among stakeholders Random acts of quality teaching and learning (curriculum, assessment, and instruction) We “didn’t know what we didn’t know” False assumptions about student successes AND failures

5. Leaders are dealers in hope.Napoleon

6. Jefferson County High School A school of HOPEfor ALL: Higher Expectations Opportunities for Success Personalized Learning Experiences in Real-World Problem Solving

7. Insight: Successful schools (and their leaders) do not simply have a strong mission and vision; they have a common set of core beliefs that demonstrate- daily- a PASSIONATE commitment that literally ALL students experience success.

8. High Expectations

9. Each student is challenged academically:Creating a Culture of High Expectations Elimination of lower level courses (less than CP) Inclusion of Students With Disabilities Creating Algebra That Works (mastery learning) Expanded AP offerings Creation of common course syllabi and assessments Creation of time and structures for job-embedded professional learning

10. Insight: Q: Why does one school experience success with an intervention and another does not? A: Perhaps, the intervention/strategy was not deliberate and focused OR was not congruent with the school’s core beliefs OR was not implemented with integrity and fidelity. Success is incremental!

11. Opportunities for SUCCESS

12. Each student is provided support for learning: Extra Help is the NORM Established system of extra help: After-school and other tutorials that are laser-focused on standards and elements Formative assessments to insure mastery of standards Progress Monitoring (based on student learning) A, B, C, NY (Not Yet) Grading Credit recovery by contract and in summer school Literacy Support for targeted, incoming 9th graders AND on-going, school-wide literacy strategies Double-dosing strategies (across the curriculum) Year-long Advanced Placement courses

13. Insight: • Success breeds success for students and teachers, alike. • As success increases, innovation and risk-taking grow exponentially. • Structured Extra Help builds student efficacy- assigning zeros or failing grades does not.

14. Personalized Learning

15. Each student is valued and educated in a personalized learning environment Utilization of a 4 x 4 block schedule (teacher benefits and student benefits) Teachers-As-Advisors serve as advocates and coaches to ensure that all students are postsecondary and workforce ready Each student has a trained, caring adult in the building in his/her teacher-advisor

16. Jefferson County School SystemTeachers-As-Advisors Statement of Purpose The mission of the Jefferson County School System Advisor-Advisee Program is to ensure high levels of student achievement through the following: • providing a caring, trained adult advocate ; • establishing regular communication and an effective link between home and school; • advising students about academic decisions and monitoring academic achievement • creating, facilitating, and guiding movement toward a career concentration so that each child will be postsecondary ready; • facilitating seamless academic and social transitions across grades and schools for students and their families.

17. Insight: • Power and influenceDO NOT emanate from position. • Power emanates from and through relationships. • People will do more for you than because of you.

18. Experiences in Real World Problem Solving

19. Making the Work Relevant Work-based apprenticeships Dual-enrollment in technical colleges and state colleges Articulated courses Help Students access post-secondary institutions prior to high school graduation

20. JCHS-Post-Secondary Ready 48% of the Class of 2008 will graduate with both a high school diploma AND a certificate of program completion at a local technical college and/or college credit that can be transferred to a four- year, University System of Georgia institution.

21. Insight: • Students must connect school work to future work! • To insure that students graduate, are post-secondary ready, and are prepared for high demand, high skill, high wage jobs a collaborative effort is required between key players: * K-12 education * Postsecondary education * Local business and industry * Local governmental agencies

22. JCHS SAT Scores For 2005-06, SAT scores at JCHS increased: 25 points (Total) 15 points (Verbal) 10 points (Mathematics) while the nation showed the biggest decline in 31 years. In looking at five-year trends, JCHS increased: 46 points (Total) 24 points (Verbal) 22 points (Mathematics) scores while the state had a 10 point gain over the past five years.

23. End-of-Course Test Pass Rates and Course GradesStudents Receiving College Prep Algebra I

25. Selena’s Story

26. Insights gleaned from Selena’s story: • Education breaks generational cycles! • Success breeds HOPE! • Hope EMPOWERS! • Visions can be realized through sustained, focused, and collaborative work!

27. Contact Address Dr. Molly P. Howard Jefferson County High School 1157 Warrior Trail Louisville, Georgia 30434 howardmp@jefferson.k12.ga.us