Becoming a Great High School: 6 Strategies and an attitude that make a difference

Becoming a Great High School: 6 Strategies and an attitude that make a differencePresented by Tim Westerfield

The Plan?Integrate research-based strategies into a UNIFIED program that gives the School’s improvement plan coherence.

Promote a “We Expect Success” Attitude

Communicate clear goalsEffective instructionFrequent assessmentProgress monitoringImmediate interventionCelebrate success

3 Critical Messages to all students

What we’re doing here is importantYou CAN do itI will NOT give up on you—even if you give up on yourself

Value Effort-based Learning

Effort-based Learning

We work hard to gain success

People are born smart

Effort-based LearningSay it

What messages are we sending students?

Model itHow are we prepared?How do we use our time?

Organize for it

TrackingGrading policiesHomework policies

Protect itHow do we handle interruptions?

Reward itWhat awards or recognitions are we using?

Be a nagger AND a nurturer

To be a great school…Every adult, policy, practice, and procedure must communicate a “we expect success” attitudeEvery student must be encouraged to “go for the gold”Do our intensive classes reflect the make-up of the student body? Do we “fix” the kids?Is EVERY student in our school pursuing a course of study that will prepare him/her for life in the 21st Century?

Factors that influence achievement

Guaranteed and viable curriculumCoherent expectations

“I speak here of the well researched finding that variations in student achievement are greater across classrooms within a school than across schools.”

Michael Fullan. Turnaround Leadership. Jossey-Bass, 2006, p. 55.

Factors that influence achievement

Guaranteed and viable curriculumCoherent expectationsCoherent curriculum (Vertical Articulation)Clear instructional goals

Unpack the state standardDo not mistake instructional goals for activities

4 Simple QuestionsWhat are you trying to accomplish?How are your kids doing?How do you know?What are you doing about it (for those who aren't succeeding)?

“We have a choice. We can simply defend what we have…or create what we need.”

--Gary Marx