Went to an interesting user meeting for A+ today. This is ALL about diversity in education. Here are my notes.
A+ Rudder High School October 23, 2009
Hybrid classes: Direct teach with self paced A+ (Four classes each week) and direct teach (one class period per week with projects, problems, or discussions that enhance and extend material already mastered on A+). Math Models will be the focus where the program has been running since Spring of 2008 at Bryan HS.
Credit recovery has a pre-test option. Students take two courses per semester. These kids have already taken the classes and were not successful.
kids can't take notes- geography example, write down points on what the students need to get from the A+ reading.
Kids must take notes in their notebook (see Dave)
Kids who have caught up and have passed TAKS can accerlerate into other classes; government, economics, electives. This is individualized per student.
Kids take test and don't pass at 80%, they need to go back through the peices they missed.
We have great tools with A+, but the people are more important.
Project 2nd Chance Georgetown 9th Grade Center- helping students get back on track.
Issue
student completion and drop outs
research says most kids drop out in 9th grade, interventions don't usually begin until 11th with struggling students
Current situation
fail 1st semester= go on to 2nd semester with no help. Can they make it the 2nd semester, what if they can't afford summer school?
lose the credit
missing skills and knowledge
possible TAKS concerns
Solution
utilize computer based instruction
offer credit recovery opportunities
send written invitations to parents- make them personal
90 minute session after school 4:00-5:30. Talk to coaches/UIL
Monday-Thursday
Six week sessions
Provide subject specific facilitators- team teach every other day, need teacher buy in
math and science emphasis
Principal is there everyday to support teachers and take care of discipline in the beginning
Letters
personalized
overview of personilized
cost $20.00 per session- bargan comparied to summer school
offer tuition deferment
transportation arrangements
calendar
application= rules and expectations
The Beginning
Feb 17- start date 62 students
week two= 99 students from word of mouth
spiral notebooks to learn how to take notes (Wal-Mart end of school sale)
snack and drink provided @ 3:45 in cafeteria
Credits recovered
Algebra1 -27/33
English-7/7
Geography- 18/19
Science- 11/27 Biology, Spec Ed students struggling with reading/vocabulary
Second semester passing rates were 45%, 28/62
Conclusions
Impact- 90 one-half credits regained- parents really loved it.
Surveyed parents, teachers and students after program- good results
74% passed TAKS math/reading
principal gives certificate to students on completion
need a 1-12 ratio
Decision you need to make how many times can the student take the exam?
1- no supervision
2- supervisor looks at spriral and notes
3- study partner before test is given
_______
Bryan Flex Program- drop out program for over-aged seniors who have already dropped out
because of needing hours, needing to work, illness, child. Needed to attend when school is not open. Life got in the way of school.
Program Goals
provide academic and career success
Flexible hours to meet needs of students 10:00 am-8:00 pm
Students attend as their schedule allows
credit given through seat hours
6 hours seat time, one ADA
teachers work from 10-6 or 12-8
have to apply for program
Using A+
teachers must be guide on the side not sage on stage
tackle one course at a time
build TAKS review into system
knock on doors to get students back
all agencies involved in getting kids back
classes off campus
In addition to A+
mentors, community leaders
Blinn Workforce ED. welding
job shadowing at St. Josephs and City of Bryan
-
Sharon
Thursday, October 22, 2009
oct 1
October 1, 2009 8:28 PM
Sharon said...
While reading an article regarding the Rainbow Project, the alternative SAT created by Yale Professor Robert Sternberg that Pink mentions in his book, I came across this. I hope you enjoy it.It is a nice break from the research we have been doing and a reminder of why we are here.
Making a Difference
"Dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He argued this way. "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher? You know, it's true what they say about teachers:
‘Those who can do, do, and those who can't do, teach.' To corroborate his statement he said to another guest, ‘Hay, Susan, you're a teacher. Be honest, what do you make?' Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness, replied, ‘You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could and I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. I can make a C-plus feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor and an A feel like a slap in the face if the student didn't do his or her very best!' Susan continued, ‘I can make parents tremble when I call home or feel almost like they won the lottery when I tell them how well their child is progressing,' Gaining speed, she went on: ‘You want to know what I make! I make kids wonder; I make them question; I make them criticize; I make them apologize and mean it; I make them write; and I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English.' And Susan then stopped and cleared her
throat. ‘I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart. And if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make in money, you pay them no attention.'
Susan then paused. ‘You want to know what I make? She said, ‘I make a difference. What about that?'"
Reprinted from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals’
newsletter with credit to Dick Thomas, executive director
of the School Administrators Association of New York
Sharon said...
While reading an article regarding the Rainbow Project, the alternative SAT created by Yale Professor Robert Sternberg that Pink mentions in his book, I came across this. I hope you enjoy it.It is a nice break from the research we have been doing and a reminder of why we are here.
Making a Difference
"Dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He argued this way. "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher? You know, it's true what they say about teachers:
‘Those who can do, do, and those who can't do, teach.' To corroborate his statement he said to another guest, ‘Hay, Susan, you're a teacher. Be honest, what do you make?' Susan, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness, replied, ‘You want to know what I make? I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could and I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence. I can make a C-plus feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor and an A feel like a slap in the face if the student didn't do his or her very best!' Susan continued, ‘I can make parents tremble when I call home or feel almost like they won the lottery when I tell them how well their child is progressing,' Gaining speed, she went on: ‘You want to know what I make! I make kids wonder; I make them question; I make them criticize; I make them apologize and mean it; I make them write; and I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English.' And Susan then stopped and cleared her
throat. ‘I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart. And if someone ever tries to judge you
by what you make in money, you pay them no attention.'
Susan then paused. ‘You want to know what I make? She said, ‘I make a difference. What about that?'"
Reprinted from the New Hampshire Association of School Principals’
newsletter with credit to Dick Thomas, executive director
of the School Administrators Association of New York
september 28
September 28, 2009 10:07 PM
Sharon said...
Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz
Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz. Directions: Take this test by selecting the answer which best describes you at this present time. ...
www.intelliscript.net
Sharon said...
Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz
Right Brain/ Left Brain Quiz. Directions: Take this test by selecting the answer which best describes you at this present time. ...
www.intelliscript.net
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Duh!
I really feel like a computer moron! I just noticed this button at the top to post a new blog. I have been commenting on my first blog weekly for my entry. I can just imagine my grade...all I can do is fix it now!
I really enjoyed this week-end. The time we spend together as a co-hort is a great learning experience.
I'm glad more of you joined me on the 12 step program. I think you all know more about me than most of my friends. I am glad we feel we can share; the water works on Thursday was a good 'family' bonding time.
I am very impressed with group ones presentation of Daniel Pink. Every section was engaging and full of self discovery. I am working with group two one 5 Minds for the Future. Everyone in my group os outstanding and I am looking forward to working with them.
I really enjoyed this week-end. The time we spend together as a co-hort is a great learning experience.
I'm glad more of you joined me on the 12 step program. I think you all know more about me than most of my friends. I am glad we feel we can share; the water works on Thursday was a good 'family' bonding time.
I am very impressed with group ones presentation of Daniel Pink. Every section was engaging and full of self discovery. I am working with group two one 5 Minds for the Future. Everyone in my group os outstanding and I am looking forward to working with them.
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