Connecticut’s Secondary School Reform Initiative

1. Connecticut’s Secondary School Reform Initiative

2. What are CT Students Saying?

3. The Connecticut high school population…

4. Connecticut’s 5 Year Comprehensive Plan (2006-2011):A Superior Education for Connecticut’s 21st Century Learners • Priority I:High-quality Preschool Education for All Students • Priority II:High Academic Achievement of All Students in Reading, Writing, Mathematics, and Science • Priority III:High School Reform(Secondary School Reform)

5. Connecticut is losing ground to other states... CT gained no ground compared to other states in Reading between 2003 and 2007. CT lost ground compared to other states in Math. NAEP – Percent of grade 8 students at or above proficient Note: Bold states indicate performance significantly different form CT performance..

6. Jobs of the Future Will Require Post-Secondary Experiences Source: Analysis by Anthony Carnevale, 2006 of Current Population Survey (1992-2004) and Census Population Projection Estimates

7. Economic Value of a HS Diploma Connecticut Median Earnings by Educational Attainment (Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2005)

9. Annual dropout rates show racial disparity There is considerable variation in dropout rates by race. Hispanic students exhibit dropout rates roughly twice the state average. * Preliminary data Note: Annual dropout rate = [total dropouts, grades 9-12] / [total October 1 enrollment, grades 9-12] This is the definition adopted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) of the U.S. Department of Education.

10. Educational Attainment and Society • Higher levels of education = better community • higher employment • lower taxes • stronger businesses • less crime • The education level drives the economic future of a region or state • Each 1% change in educational attainment relates to a 2.3% difference in the economy of a metro region (FRB of New York)

11. A Closer Look at the Economic Impact in CT • The result of an increase of 1% in the education level: • Connecticut: $5 billion more economic activity each year • Fairfield County: $ 1.8 billion • Greater Hartford: $1.6 billion • Greater New Haven: $800 million • Southeastern CT: $300 million Is there any other economic development strategy that can come close to this level of impact?

12. Do CT High Schools Prepare Students?

13. College Readiness is a Statewide Challenge

14. Importance of College Readiness National studies show that students who enter college needing remediation are not likely to graduate. In Connecticut: CSU six-year graduation rate: 43% Community colleges three-year graduation rate: 10% College access is not enough, we need college success.

15. Goal of Secondary School Reform • Every Connecticut student graduates from high school, each having developed core knowledge and skills as well as personal aspirations. • All Connecticut high schools prepare students to be successful in post-secondary education, life, citizenship, and the workforce.

16. Included representatives from a wide range of stakeholders: Parent groups Superintendents Principals Teacher Unions Boards of Education State Department of Education Public and Private CT Higher Education Institutions Minority Commissions Business Organizations Ad Hoc Committee for Secondary School Reform

17. The Connecticut Plan for Secondary School Reform

19. Key Features of the CT Plan –More than just additional credits • Model Curricula • Student Personalization • Middle School Connections • Technology • Excellent Teaching Practices • Capstone Experience • Student Supports • Higher Education Connections • Accountability and Assessment • Curricular/Graduation Requirements

20. Proposed CT Legislation Proposed Graduation Requirements 25 Credits: • Humanities (9 credits*) Coventry: 7 • Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (8 credits*) Coventry: 6 • Career/Life Skills (3.5 credits*) Coventry: 2.5 • World Language (2 credits) • Demonstration/Capstone Project (1 credit) • Open Electives (1.5 credits) Coventry: 6.5 * includes electives within cluster • Coventry – 22 credits • 4 credits of English • 3 credits of science • 3 credits of mathematics • 3 credits of social studies including: • World Understanding I & II, • U.S History I & II, • Contemporary Issues or Modern European History, and • Civics. • 1 credit of physical education • 6 ½ full credits of elective courses • 1 credit of art, fine arts, or vocational ed • 1/2 credit of drug/alcohol education

21. Moving Forward - http://www.sde.ct.gov/ Check for Updates on the CSDE Website

22. Questions or Comments? Contact Thomas.murphy@ct.gov with additional questions

24. Extra slides – components of plan

25. Model Curricula • Algebra I • Algebra II • Geometry • Probability and Statistics • Biological/Life Sciences • English I • English II • American History

26. Student Personalization • Student Success Plan • Begins in 6th grade, through high school • Incorporates student interests and abilities • Establishes an individualized program of study that helps every student stay interested in school and achieve post high school career and educational goals • Relationships • Flexibility (time, courses)

27. Middle School Connections • Early Interventions • Easing transition from MS to HS • Model curricula for Language Arts and Science Inquiry and Experimentation • 8th grade portfolio or demonstration project • Joint professional development for MS and HS teachers

28. Technology • Emphasis on using technology to enhance learning • Subject-specific technology PD for teachers • Increased emphasis on use of technology for teaching and learning in preservice programs • Improved CEN connections for middle schools • Encouragement of online course options for students • Increased availability of online resources, sharing of ideas, networking with other teachers • Use of technology to better collect and analyze student data to make informed decisions

29. Excellent Teaching Practices • Increased expectations for preservice programs • Professional development for educators – engaging practices, age appropriate strategies

30. Capstone Experience(Senior Demonstration Project) • Focus • Community service • Internship • Deep pursuit of area of interest • Other? • Components(state-developed guidelines) • Mentored • Research • Written component • Public multimedia presentation

31. Student Supports • Enhanced remedial supports - timely, increased variety • Expanded programs that help students stay interested and involved in school • Mentorships • Peer and adult tutoring/mediation • Computer-based supports • After-school and weekend programs • School based health programs • Differently paced and/or modularized courses • Cohorts • Smaller schools within a school • other

32. Higher Education Connections • Improved alignment- HS requirements to HE expectations • Automatic admission to state colleges for meeting requirements? • Tuition reimbursement/scholarships for achieving at certain levels? • Increased opportunities to earn college credit while in HS

33. Accountability and Assessment • Final Exams • Algebra I • Geometry • Biological/Life Science • English Language Arts II • American History • Count for at least 20% of student’s final grade • Students must achieve at least 70% on final exam • Scored locally (teachers trained/calibrated)

34. Extra slides – explanation of venn diagram

35. Rigor should be… Characterized by • Higher-order thinking • Deep understanding • Critical self-reflection • Application of knowledge and skills Present in • every level • every course • every content area

36. Interpersonal Student-to-Student Student-to-Adult Group Classroom School Community Intellectual Student-to-Class Content Student-to-Course Choices Aspiration Student-to-College Student-to-Career Engagement includes… Personalization, Connections

37. Engagement through Personalization - Some Key Strategies in the CT Plan • Individual Student Success Plan • Core and elective courses include: • Exploration of Interests • Career Pathway • Preparation for Post-Secondary Education • Positive adult relationship(s) • Small Learning Communities

38. 21st Century Learning

39. Creativity & Innovation Multi-Media Literacy, Communication & Collaboration Global Citizenship and Multi-Cultural Awareness Technology Use Critical Thinking, Problem-Solving & Decision-Making Social, Personal, and Financial Responsibility Research & Information Literacy Work ethic 21st Century Learning

40. 21st Century Skills in CT’s Plan • Model Curricula • Assessments: Capstone Project, Final Exams • Professional Development • Online and Hybrid Courses • Encouragement of 21st Century Learning Environments • Encouragement of Communication with Others