Graduation Coaching – No Whistles Required!

1. Graduation Coaching – No Whistles Required! Melissa T. Mainiero, Facilitator – School Improvement & Accountability Bossier Parish School System

2. Session Objective • At-risk student detection, interventions, transitions, college and career readiness, professional development….and much more contribute to student success and persistence toward earning a high school diploma and transitioning to postsecondary education or a chosen career. • This session will provide an overview of how, through the implementation of Graduation Coaches, one district has answered the question “How in the world can we monitor, implement, track progress of every student, and gauge the success of programs when there is so much else that is required?”

3. Step 1– Prioritize The overall perspective is based on three overarching goals: • decreasing the number of students dropping out • increasing graduation rates • improving postsecondary readiness through rigor, relevance and relationships. Make a list of all programs, initiatives, factors that contribute to one or more of the above goals.

4. Step 2– Brainstorm www.wordle.net

5. Step 3– Review

6. Step 4 - Decide

7. X Step 5 - Assign The specific tasks completed by the coaches will vary from school to school but must be justified and linked to decreasing the number of students dropping out, increasing graduation rates and improving postsecondary readiness. In Bossier Parish, it was decided that a graduation coach will: • analyze and communicate standardized test results NOT coordinate test administration • monitor student behavior and attendance patterns NOT discipline students • participate as an active member of all school committees NOT serve as the chairperson of any committee • visit classrooms and provide teachers with feedback NOT conduct formal evaluations of teachers or staff • work in tandem with and support administrators and counselors NOT serve in the capacity of an administrative level staff member • plan, implement and monitor success of research based practices NOT complete menial tasks

8. Step 6 - Implement • Job Description and Overview • Presentation to the stakeholders • Clear communication of expectations to all parties • School wide • Small group • Prioritizing, goal setting and planning • Professional Development Schedule • Communication Methods • Community Involvement

9. Step 7 - Support • Professional Development • Technology (Excel, District Resources, etc.) • State Accountability • Graduation Paths • Identifying Best Practices • Model Site Visits • College and Career Readiness • 21st Century Skills • Grant Writing • Teaching Teachers

10. Step 8 - Review • Key faculty and staff meet regularly • Review performance based on predetermined indicators and schedule • Discuss results • Identify outliers and “uncontrollables” • Solicit qualitative information from stakeholders • Remove all bias

11. Step 9 - Refine • Identify opportunities • Quick returns should be implemented immediately • Consider resources • Remove/alter system problems • Hold open forums for each group (teachers, students, parents and community) at midterm and final year points • Do not eliminate a program/intervention solely on one piece of data or before ample time is allowed • COMMUNICATE

12. Step 10 - Celebrate IT ISN’T A QUESTION OF “WILL A SCHOOL SEE SUCCESS?” IT’S A QUESTION OF “HOW MUCH WILL THEY CELEBRATE?”

13. Summary & Questions • Presentation Documents Available on the State Website • Graduation Coaching – No Whistles Required! • Bossier Parish Graduation Perspective • Student Identification • Improving Graduation Rates • Supporting Teachers • List of Websites • Questions/Comments • Contact Information Melissa T. Mainiero, Facilitator – Bossier Parish Schools melissa.mainiero@bossierschools.org