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A ccess411 P resents . Creating a Twilight Academy* Addressing the Needs of Over-Age and Under-Credited Youth. Presented by: William Morrison. The Need To Help. Changes in the way we handle 9 th graders-Junior High/Middle School
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Access411 Presents Creating a Twilight Academy* Addressing the Needs of Over-Age and Under-Credited Youth Presented by: William Morrison
The Need To Help • Changes in the way we handle 9th graders-Junior High/Middle School • Increased rigor and expectations in high schools-tracking/low level courses eliminated- Algebra II for all etc • Minor problems in earlier grades become worse as students enter high school • Lack of serious Transition programs for 9th graders • Instant course failure in first 30 days- • Attendance issues-discipline issues-suspensions- • Outside issues influence- family-poverty issues-mental health issues.
What to do with these students? Do we kick them out? transfer them? drop them? incarcerate them? Send them to Alternative School ?
Before High School • Often grow up in poverty situations • One to two years older then peers due to early grade failure • Poor attendance in middle schools • Often undiagnosed conditions ( ADD, etc) • Usually more then 2+ grade levels below in core subjects • Multiple disciplinary infractions in middle school
At the High School • Attendance will decline as course failures mount • Multiple suspensions early on • May stop attending after winter break or after third report card-giving up • Has given up hope on graduation with peers • Will not attend summer courses for credit • Will come back to second year in 9th grade as a 16+ year old-Feel totally out of place • Problems with law enforcement start occurring as student is no longer in school routine-out all night in community with other “drop-outs” • Attendance and discipline problems as a “repeater” • Total disengagement and hopelessness with school
The Answer… Twilight Academy Don’t kick them out, arrest them, or transfer them to another school: The answer is to keep them a part of their school, providing the intensive and targeted supports to help them succeed and get back on track
Twilight Structures and Policies • Students attend school after school hours • Dedicated part of building with all needs met in space • Students scan in ID cards to enter and leave Academy • Zero tolerance for lateness • Phone calls every day to absent students • Schedule reflects student needs • All year round five cycles mandatory
Personalization in Twilight Academy • Classes are always small( under 15-18) • Dedicated coordinator on site with time for nagging and nurturing of students • Dedicated Counselors- no drive by counseling • Weekly one on one meetings with support staff • Individual graduation/post graduation plan • Progress reports every two weeks • Phone calls every day both positive and negative
Building Capacity Having been implemented is over 30 high schools by our support team in New York Schools ( Called Achieve Now Academies) Philadelphia Schools ( Junior Twilight Academy) and Twilight Academy in Washington Public and Transition Evening Schools in Baltimore City Schools)
Have Demonstrated the Following • Suspensions dramatic reductions(90+%) • Attendance increases(30-60%) • Credit accumulation gains (Earning Power) Often up to 300% increase • Standardized tests high school graduation tests improvement
Create a Twilight Academy in your School Contact Access411 www.access411.com William Morrison 800-574-0236 ext 113 Cell 717-825-1499
Core Values • All students can learn and achieve at high levels given adequate time, resources and support. • Recognizing that students come with individual needs encompassing a variety of learning styles, interests, achievement levels and cultural backgrounds, differentiated instruction and assessment will be employed. • The learning environment will provide students with the essential knowledge, skills and values necessary to operate in the world of work, academic endeavors and in their personal lives. • Learning is a continuous and lifelong process. • Mentoring is a valuable tool for promoting positive life decisions • A positive school climate requires personalization. • A quality educational program requires students to demonstrate respect for themselves, each other, their community, and the adults in their lives.
Proposed Staffing Model for Years 1 – 4 * other staff utilized from host school include cafeteria staff and custodial/building engineering
Of our anticipated 2009-10 Cohort 1 • 20% increase in average daily attendance • 100% more credits will be earned • 75% promotion to 10th grade (either mid-year, end of the spring quarter, or after summer school) • 60% of students taking the Algebra HSA will receive at least the minimum passing score • 75% of students will increase their comprehension and vocabulary by 1 year or more as measured by the Gates-MacGinite Reading Test (Pre and Post testing for all students) • 75% of students will increase their measured math skills by 1 year or more as measured by the CTBS(Pre and Post testing for all students) • 65% reduction in suspensions • 80% reduction in other serious disciplinary referrals • 80% reduction in class cutting