Hickory Ridge High School Problem Based Learning Activity

1. Hickory Ridge High School Problem Based Learning Activity Angela DavisGwendelynFristenskyKasandraGallegosRenee’ L. Hanson http://education.uncc.edu/droyster/apcalculus/HRHS%20Crest.gif

2. Introduction to Hickory Ridge • Urban school • Approximately 1800 students • Test scores had fallen slightly over last three years but then had risen last year. • Rooms are all wired and have at least 15 computers in each.

3. Introduction to Hickory Ridge • The district would like for Hickory Ridge to become a technological center with computers incorporated into the curriculum and daily instruction. • Use, however, was disappointing. • Very supportive parent group. • High community turnover – • stepping off… http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/hrhs/img/HR-Seal160.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.cabarrus.k12.nc.us/hrhs/&usg=__TYJySCQHGE2TWl2ziaKxX4RK2ak=&h=160&w=160&sz=12&hl=en&start=18&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=j8LOwC6HJXFL9M:&tbnh=98&tbnw=98&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhickory%2Bridge%2Bhigh%2Bschool%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26gbv%3D2%26tbs%3Disch:1

4. Demographics http://sirensong.sireninteractive.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/demographics1.jpg • Hickory Ridge • 46% white • 40% African American • 12% Hispanic • 2% Asian • State Average • 82% white • 5% African American • 0% Hispanic • Less than 1% Native American and 2% Multi-Race

5. Student Achievement • School board and community: • “better teaching for all kids” • “give their children a head start by providing them with critical thinking and technological skills.” http://coachesaid.com/Content/Mascots/nc-nchrhs-letter-150.png

6. Leadership • Jim O’Connor, Principal • Experience: Teacher for eight years, assistant principal for thirteen years • Problem: not respected by newer staff members • He is the keeper of the history. • Lacks understanding of current needs.

7. Superintendent/District Initiatives • Recognize that the organizational culture is hindering reform efforts with problems such as lack of trust, confidence, power, problematic communication, lack of respect. • Must identify ways to give the principal and teachers a sense of purpose, direction, responsibility, power, respect, optimism, and mission. http://dr-k12.org/images/school_board.jpg

8. Staff Concerns • 27 new teachers in last four years • Fast-trackers, digital natives • Older teachers – rut, digital immigrants • No respect between the two main groups • Divided http://www.adrianbruce.com/blogimages/09/too_long_teaching.jpg

9. http://www.impressionsthroughmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/digital_natives.jpghttp://www.impressionsthroughmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/digital_natives.jpg

10. Basic Plan – Nuts and Bolts • Involves • Revisiting mission/vision to get all stakeholder buy-in • Adopt comprehensive school reform models for implementation • Empower staff • Develop respect • Protect what is good/Change to meet needs

11. Which way to go? OLD SAYING: • “If you don’t know where you are going, any route will do!”

12. MISSION AND VISION • The Education Commission of the States (1992) purports that having a shared vision is a critical piece of the educational reform puzzle that anchors and gives meaning to the whole. http://www.whs.mil/DFD/DFDServices/images/mission_logo_001.gif

13. Mission and Vision • The current (new) mission and vision don’t necessarily need to be scrapped and tossed out to the dump. • Revisiting and obtain all stakeholder buy-in.

14. StakeholdersYou have to have stakeholder buy-in.Stakeholders in this case start at the top with the school board, superintendent, principal, community members, parents, and students.

15. cooperation leadership balance responsibility service 3:02 YouTube - Respect

16. Communication Think Training and Development

17. Communication • Study Groups -is a group of people that come together regularly over an extended period of time to study a particular issue. 2-4 hours after school When? 2-day affairs weekly a few times in a year

18. The administrators, teachers, and counselors use these principles for guiding their study groups: (Murphy& Lick, 2005). work is public students come first everyone participates leadership is shared responsibility is equal

19. School Improvement and Development

20. Risk Taking

21. Support and Empowerment

22. Research on Reforms and Innovative Programs

23. What’s Right at Hickory High

24. Cooperation • working together toward a common goal (mission/vision) • Involving the community • Discussing and reflecting respectfully

25. Leadership By providing inspiration, always striving to do the right thing and empowering othersto do their best is leadership.

26. Balance • Being fair and giving everyone a voice. • Committees who include new and older teachers. • Anonymous surveys.

27. Service • being an active participant and meaningful contributor to others and the community. • being of assistance and benefit others.

28. Responsibility • Acting morally and fulfilling our commitments • Accepting ownership • Accountable

29. 2-day affairs helps the group bond and allow for wide ranging discussion.