Enhancing Student Support Through Instructional Focus Time at Union Grove High School
Union Grove High School, serving 1,700 students in Henry County, has successfully integrated an Instructional Focus (IF) period within its schedule to enhance student support. This initiative, established over multiple years, incorporates tutoring, study halls, and credit recovery into a structured timeframe aimed at providing targeted assistance. With a focus on improving at-risk students' performance in core subjects, data-driven strategies have led to significant increases in passing rates. As the school adapts to new graduation requirements, leadership teams will continue to innovate without sacrificing vital instructional time.
Enhancing Student Support Through Instructional Focus Time at Union Grove High School
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Presentation Transcript
IF: Instructional Focus— Creating a Period Within the School Day for Student Support Dawn Jordan Graduation Coach Union Grove High School, Henry County (678)583-8502 dawnjordan@henry.k12.ga.us
If you do the same thing over and over again and expect different results, you get insanity. Albert Einstein
MY SCHOOL • In its 9th Year • 1700 Students 66% White-Not Hispanic 25% Black- Not Hispanic 3 % Hispanic 3 % Multiracial 2.5% Asian or Pacific Islander 0.5% American Indian • 10% Free and Reduced Lunch • 104 Teachers • Traditional 6 Period Day
1st - IDENTIFY HOW BEST TO HELP • We have 8 high schools in Henry County • Range from ~900 students to ~2200 students • We all have built a time into our day IF- Instructional Focus ET- Enrichment time AE- Academic Extension • Some insert a ½ hour between 1st and 2nd period. • Some attach a ½ hour to the end of the day. • We place IF within our 4th period to maximize the learning time.
PURPOSEFUL SCHEDULE • 2004-2005 ---26 minute IF time • study hall within 4th period • 2005-2006 ---52 minute IF time • general tutoring pullout and specific content assignments on a rotating basis • 2 weeks for English, math, science, social studies • 2006-2007 ---52 minute IF time • mandatory tutoring and continued content assignments • 2007-2008 ---26 minute IF time • very structured student tutoring. • 2008-2009 ---26 minute IF time • expanded structured student tutoring
MULTIPLE USES FOR IF • Mainly used for our various tutoring programs • Study hall • Extended lab time • Credit recovery • It is also a great time for student meetings – doesn’t interfere with instructional time
2nd - IDENTIFY WHO NEEDS THE HELPUsing Data To Identify Your At Risk
GHSGT 2008 SCORES 99% Math SWD increased from 47% pass rate to 77 % passing rate 98% English 98% Science 96% Social Studies RESULTS
NEW PLAN2008-2009 School Year • We now have 8 math teachers with 4th period planning. • Each will tutor 1 IF period per day • We have 5 other content area teachers with 4th period planning to assist in the other areas. • We have 3 mandatory tutoring areas. 1. Juniors identified at risk in math - 1 day per week 2. Senior re-testers - 2 days per week 3. Freshmen who aren’t in math supportbut scored between an 800-814 on the CRCT- 1 day per week One teacher with 4th period duty monitors our peer tutoring room for students requesting additional help.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE • Our district is moving to a 7-period day next year to accommodate the new graduation requirements. • We will start meeting as a leadership team next month to identify how we can meet this requirement and not lose our IF time. THANK YOU
