Reforming Hickory Ridge High School

1. Reforming Hickory Ridge High School A Presentation by Colleen, Jonas, Lindsay, Mark, and Michelle

2. Large urban school with 1,800 students • 15% Special Needs • 46% White • 40% African American • 12% Hispanic • 2% Asian • Iowa Test of Basic Skills mean score is up from the 45th%ile to the 49%ile. Student Demographics

3. Male 35%/Female 65% • Ages 26-40 45% • Ages 41-61+ 55% • Hispanic 1.3% • African American 20.6% • White 75.6% • Native American 2.5% • Bachelor’s degree 38.3 % • Master’s degree 56.9% • Education Specialist 2.4% • Doctorate 1.2% • Professional Degree 1.2% Faculty Demographics

4. Limited success with previous reform efforts • Concern over standardized test scores • Recently added computers, but with little utilization by teachers and students • Supportive middle-class parent group • High student turnover rate • Teachers held in high regard Things to Know

5. Principal lacks understanding of student needs in the way of technology • Principal is not well-respected • “Fast-Trackers” and aging staff have not connected • Principal is perceived as critical and micro-managing by some • Little emphasis placed on innovation by teachers • New teachers do not understand the importance placed on parents and community The Problems