Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Rigorous Coursework for all Students Newport High School s Journey . . .

1. Creating and Sustaining a Culture of Rigorous Coursework for all StudentsNewport High School�s Journey . . . Patty Siegwarth, Principal Bethany Spinler, Assistant Principal Newport High School Bellevue School District Bellevue, Washington

2. Today you�ll learn about Newport�s � Demographics, Daily Schedule and Data Strategies for Creating & Sustaining a Culture of Rigorous Coursework for ALL students Varied Support Services How Data is Used to Promote Instructional & Curricular Changes Ways in Which Technology is Used to Enhance Instruction Impact on the Building Principals� Roles

3. General Information Comprehensive 9-12 high school serving 1580 students 94% 4-year on-time graduation rate 2.2% drop-out rate 97% attend college post high school 85% of all students currently enrolled in honors/Advanced Placement (AP) Next year, nearly 100% of students enrolled in honors/AP Spanish Immersion and High Functioning Autism District Programs are at Newport

4. Demographics 54% Caucasian 36% Asian 6% Multi-Ethnic 3% Hispanic 1% African American 9% qualify for free & reduced lunch (up from 6% previous year) 24% speak English as a second language

5. Recognition/Accomplishments 2003 National Blue Ribbon School Recipient Gates 5-year grant-Promising Schools Ranked in top 50 high schools in nation last four 4 years according to Newsweek 2004 �Best AP World History Program�

6. Schedule Monday, Tuesday & Friday � 7:30 - 2:30 7 periods - 50 min classes Wednesday � 7:30 � 12:40 3 Blocks � 90 min classes (2,4,6) No lunch, 15 min breaks Thursday � 7:30 � 2:30 4 Blocks � 90 min classes (1,3,5,7)

7. Academic Performance State WASL scores in top 3% last 5 years SAT scores continue to rise PSAT scores remain strong 97% four-year on-time graduation rate

8. This year�s graduating class� Earned an average cumulative grade point average of 3.06 Nearly 90% of the seniors were enrolled in a year-long math class, despite the Bellevue School District requiring only three full years of math 76% took one or more AP courses this year 45% completed 4 or more AP courses over their 4 years at Newport

9. What is Newport�s belief system? All students are capable of high levels of learning and experiences, provided adequate support services are offered and accessed. Immersing students in a positive, challenging environment assists student in reaching their potential. Challenging students beyond their comfort level is done so in a positive, empathetic, and engaging learning environment. Ultimately, our goal is to prepare ALL students for success in college.

10. How did we get to this culture of rigorous coursework for ALL students? District-wide focus with ample support Deliberate hiring of individuals with similar belief systems Consistent message throughout all correspondence Offer varied AP courses to encourage pursuit of passions (currently offer 26 different AP courses) Operate on student-driven schedule, requiring students to make thoughtful course selections Make schedule corrections, as opposed to changes Carefully select who teaches which classes, with most teachers teaching core & advanced courses Make AP training readily available & free with annual AP Summer Institute Develop carefully aligned coordinated district-wide curriculum, to include common assessments, units, objectives, and daily lessons OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND STAY UNITED�

11. Parents were the biggest obstacle?

12. Initial parent concerns that were voiced

13. Unspoken Issues Elitism Maintaining institutional racism �Those� kids with �our� kids? Discomfort and fear of equity

14. Shift in Parent Concerns to� AP leads to increased suicide attempts and eating disorders Damaging as high school not college and creates excessive stress Lowers self esteem if in AP and if not in AP Reduces extracurricular involvement Lowers GPA Students shouldn�t experience stress at such a young age�should just have fun in high school

15. Then What? Developed middle and high school district-wide student survey Utilized AP Stats students and community psychologist to enhance validity Solicited info on homework quality, quantity and stress Compared results across the district

16. Survey Results

17. Used Additional Data and Research to Justify Need for Rigorous Coursework for All Focused on local, state and national statistics and research as data speaks volumes Newport�s PSAT results utilized as one gauge: Year % Tested Verbal Math Writing 1998 55% 53.2 56.1 54.7 2006 98% 53.9 54.7 51.2

18. SAT Comparison  1996 vs. 2006 1996 #/%: 233/81% Verbal: 549/800 Math: 562/800 2006 #/%: 337/100% Verbal: 578/800 Math: 609/800

20. AP enrollments at Newport

21. AP Test Scores for 2004 1069 tests were taken out of a total AP enrollment of 1141 75% of the students scored a 3 or higher on the AP exams In AP World History, 100% of the 178 students enrolled took the AP exam 81% of these 10th grade students scored a 3 or higher on the AP exam

22. AP Tests taken in 2007 Require students to take the AP exam Mock exam administered to those who don�t take AP exam Out of the 1789 AP enrollments, 1710 students took the AP tests

23. Data Readily Accessible Use District Data Analyzer (DDA) - Excelsior Software, Inc. Includes district-wide assessment results, state and national results, grades, course enrollments, etc. Administrators, Teachers & Support Staff Trained Access to Testing & DDA Coordinator Rely Very Heavily on Data to Make Instructional & Staffing Decisions

24. New Campus Rich with Technology New building 3-story instructional wing 630-seat theater Flat screens throughout commons/cafeteria Security cameras Swipe ID/entrance cards Extensive video/media & CISCO facilities

25. Classrooms Include State-of-the-Art Technology mounted LCD Smartboard light speed document cameras airliner tablets CPS systems CD/stereo systems

26. Communication of Student Progress and Coursework Daily computer-generated phone calls re: attendance and tardies Parents/students can program system to receive emails when grades drop or absent from school Online viewing of grades, detailed progress, attendance and tardies Teacher websites, many of which include daily homework, smart movies, & reference info Bulletin and announcements posted to website daily

27. Tutorial Support Systems Tutorial period Mon, Tues, Thurs, & Fri from 2:30 to 3:00 Extended-day tutorial Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30 to 5:30 in the NHS Library�NHS certificated staff teach/tutor Honor Society tutorial assistance Peer Tutor Program VIBES mentor program using adults in community

28. Support Staff/Programs/Classes Link Crew AVID Large Leadership Program/Classes Peer Mediation Program English & Math Support Classes Pre-teaching Curriculum Some AP offered one and two periods a day

29. Additional Support Systems Student & Parent Study Strategies Workshops Weekly meetings with those struggling academically CORE Team SIT Team MDT If not working, try another way, and another way, and another way�

30. Administrative Role Looks Different Heavy Focus on Instruction Leader versus manager Administrators in classrooms observing @ 2 hours a day Required to complete minimum of 70 written observations�most complete over 100 Not unusual to be in a teacher�s classroom four+ times a year Engaged in collaborative curricular work, lesson planning, and skill development Administrative & staff meetings heavily focused on instructional issues Staff meetings model strategies and reflect what we expect to see in the classroom

31. Observation Process