Freshman Academy Update

1. Freshman Academy Update May 13, 2014

3. Freshman Academy Retention Rates • Retention rates are significantly down in all high schools. • Credit recovery courses and summer school are being utilized more effectively than in the past. • Schools are identifying at-risk students in the academies and using interventions to assist them from the first day of the freshman year.

4. Freshman Academy Attendance Rates • Attendance rates are trending up in all high schools. • Schools with academies tend to have higher attendance rates than those without academies.

5. Freshman Academy Suspensions and Expulsions • Suspensions and Expulsions are down in all high schools. • The most dramatic decrease was in the school that began it’s academy in 2012-2013- NAHS. • The academy creates consistency between teachers for basic rules and regulations (ID’s, tardies, disruptions). • Expectations and consequences are clear to students, eliminating a majority of common behavior problems.

6. Freshman Academy Top Priority • The top priority of all high schools is to continue to address the issue of incoming freshman that lack grade-level reading skills. • All schools are instituting interventions to address the problems that result from these deficiencies. • Freshman teachers need help with strategies to teach reading in ELA as well as other subject areas.

7. Freshman Academy Anecdotal Information • Academy schools have found success in collaboration between teachers with common planning and the creation of environments where freshman feel safe and free to interact academically. • Extra allocation that has allowed Principals to dedicate AP’s and counselors to the academies has been powerful. • Larger schools having the ability to focus an AP and counselor exclusively on freshman is critical. • Request that the Board will allow the District to maintain this arrangement at AHS, SAHS, NAHS and MVHS. • MVHS is growing and projected to have one of the largest incoming freshman classes in the District during the 2014-2015 school year.

8. Freshman Academy Testimonials

9. Silver Bluff High School • Eases transition to high school–helps student successfully pass ninth grade and graduate on time • Teachers have chosen to be a part of the academy team-have a vested interest-mentor students • Most content-area teachers have common planning • Common planning allows for discussion of academic concerns, intervention and remediation strategies, and additional student needs (referrals to guidance, SIT, school nurse, parent calls) • Humanities course allows for remediation in reading and math, tutoring, and make up work

10. Midland Valley High School • Transition to high school can be difficult and stressful • Students solve personal and social issues, participate in extracurriculars, and master coursework • A team of teachers work collaboratively to address students’ needs • Students receive a personalized schedule that focuses on identified strengths and weaknesses • Academy teachers collect data (test scores, grades, failure rates, discipline, middle school teacher input) to select classes most appropriate for students • Emphasize self-reliance and responsibility • Relationships between teachers and students lower retention rates and improve graduation rates

11. Wagener-Salley High School • Interventions are the key to students’ success • Every effort is made to avoid retentions • Academy teachers have a passion for meeting students’ needs • Common procedures create an environment of consistency • Teachers disaggregate data, identify weaknesses, attack those areas of need • Create a community atmosphere with parents-contacts with parents are the norm • Compass and USATestPrep provide support and remediation • Students constantly exposed to their personal performance data

12. North Augusta High School • Assists the freshman transition to high school–academically and socially • Freshman Advisory monitors failing students each quarter by AP and counselor • Parent communication has improved on all levels • Drastic drop in the number of suspensions due to tardies, ID’s, and disruptions • Common planning for teachers greatly increases collaboration and innovation • Teachers favor a dedicated AP and guidance counselor • Freshman are happier, more comfortable, and have a sense of camaraderie

13. Freshman Academy Unique Features • Teacher Teams- Recruits interested teachers to the academy who are committed to freshman success • Common Planning for Teachers- dedicates time to discuss best teaching practices and interventions for struggling students • Freshman Data Team- focuses on the unique challenges and solutions needed for success for “red flag” students • Dedicated Guidance Counselor- concentrates efforts on academic, behavior/discipline, social/emotional, and data needs of freshmen only • Groups Freshmen- dedicated wing, lockers, bell schedule, and lunch period • Relevant Professional Development- focuses on specific needs of the academy • Professional Learning Communities- administration, teachers, students, and parents

14. Freshman Features Common in All Schools • Identify “red flag” students and develop school-wide and teacher-specific interventions to address needs • Use electronic remediation/reinforcement software-i.e. USATestPrep • Use data to identify school-wide deficiencies and solutions-i.e. MAP, HSAP, EOCT, discipline, attendance, failure rates, teacher-generated information • Use SIT to identify school-wide needs, interventions, and professional development

15. Questions?