Innovation schools: presentations

Note that the presentation tonight is on the schools that are completing their innovation plans, which were for three years. You can find the presentation online here. Those schools are:

• Chandler Magnet
• Goddard School of Science and Technology
• Goddard Scholars (at Sullivan Middle)
• University Park Campus School
• Woodland Academy

Boone: initial cycle report of the first round of innovation schools

new schools, conversion schools, academies

six areas of autonomies: curriculum, professional development, scheduling and calendar, staffing, budget, district policies

2011: 13 schools were innovation status--5 in Worcester, 4 conversion, 1 academy

full approval by School Committee after prospectus approved

"what makes the autonomies allow for something different in that school?"

required to report annually the progress of those schools

Governor Patrick: Claremont receiving innovation fellowship grant to prepare a full proposal to be considered by the School Committee

"we've taken on the aspect of innovation in a very serious manner in Worcester"

"show that a district can turn around its own schools without having an outside vendor come in and do it"

Chandler Magnet

Dual Language Program, K-6

reading and writing program; ELL strategies; metalinguistic strategies; block scheduling for grade level meetings; committee to select new staff

dual language students at benchmark in their native language as assessed by Fountas and Pinell; at or approaching benchmark in their second language

all contractual time flextible: "collective commitment and ownership" of plan

teachers trained in ELL and/or ESL

growth within student cohort

will expand dual language to 4th grade next year

expand use of visual materials and use of technology

Goddard School

new electronic report card

literacy module K-3; focus on writing across the content; 40 min targeted intervention; multi-sensory early literacy; AVID for elementary; committee to select new staff; faculty and community partners

not only gaining on literacy; knocking down tardiness

collegial rounds coming

revise governance board for broader representation

community partnership for after-school and summer

Goddard Scholars Academy (in Sullivan Middle)

cohort in grade 6

gifted and talented presentations;pre-AP training'flexible scheduling for enrichments

50% average family attendance at family events

broaden applications for admission

planning for a summer institute

increase grants and fundraising

UPCS

rigorous course of studies for college readiness

redesign of senior year; training for new staff; gateway performances for grades 8,10,12; committee selects new faculty; summer transition academies; before school AP courses

increase in four year graduation rate: 89.7-->100%

now 114 AP students in 9 courses

further integrate technology; focus on umeracy; grants; partnerships for internships; expand APs

Woodland 

curriculum and professional development

monthly early release for professional development; teacher-led PD; full day preschool for 4 year olds; inclusion for special ed and ELL; supplementary innovation grants; direct oversight of student transfer; governance board

attendance has stabilized at 96%

increase to 87% of students "following core values"

student growth percentages higher than state and district on MCAS

increasing parent attendance at conferences

increase network with community partners; support for school (per demographics); increase opportunities for rounds and lessons; develop and refine student-specific Tier 2 interventions

reauthorization: can petition for extention of not more than 5 years

leadership convenes a stakeholder group to discuss revision and solict recommendations

stakeholder groups by June 20

present proposed changes to superintendent (as provided by statute)

present to School Committee by July 2014

Rodrigues: ownership of school community; commend for a job well done