Freshman Academy Update January 24, 2012

1. Freshman Academy Update January 24, 2012

11. Freshman Academy Testimonials

12. Silver Bluff High School: • Eases transition to high school – helps student successfully pass ninth grade and graduate on time • Teachers have chosen to be a part of the academy team – have a vested interest – mentor students • Most content-area teachers have common planning • Common planning allows for discussion of academic concerns, intervention and remediation • strategies, and additional student needs (referrals to guidance, SIT, school nurse, parent calls) • Humanities course allows for remediation in reading and math, tutoring, and make up work

13. Midland Valley High School: • Transition to high school can be difficult and stressful • Students solve personal and social issues, participate in extracurriculars, and master coursework • A team of teachers work collaboratively to address students’ needs • Students receive a personalized schedule that focuses on identified strengths and weaknesses • Academy teachers collect data (test scores, grades, failure rates, discipline, middle school teacher • input) to select classes most appropriate for students • Emphasize self-reliance and responsibility • Relationships between teachers and students lower retention rates and improve graduation rates

14. Wagener-Salley High School: • Interventions are the key to students success • Every effort is made to avoid retentions • Academy teachers have a passion for meeting students needs • Common procedures creates an environment of consistency • Teachers disaggregate data, identify weaknesses, attack those areas of need • Create a community atmosphere with parents – contacts with parents are the norm • Compass and USATestPrep provide support and remediation • Students constantly exposed to their personal performance data

15. Freshman Academy Unique Features Teacher Teams- Recruits interested teachers to the academy who are committed to freshman success Common Planning for Teachers – dedicates time to discuss best teaching practices and interventions for struggling students Freshman Data Team – focuses on the unique challenges and solutions needed for success for “red flag” students Dedicated Guidance Counselor – concentrates efforts on academic, behavior/discipline, social/emotional, and data needs of freshmen only Groups freshmen- dedicated wing, lockers, bell schedule, and lunch period Relevant professional development- focuses on specific needs of the academy Professional learning communities- administration, teachers, students, and parents

16. Freshman Features Common in All Schools Identify “red flag” students and develop school-wide and teacher-specific interventions to address needs Use electronic remediation/reinforcement software – i.e. CompassLearning Odyssey Use data to identify school-wide deficiencies and solutions – i.e. MAP, HSAP, EOCT, discipline, attendance, failure rates, teacher-generated information Use SIT to identify school-wide needs, interventions, and professional development

17. Questions?