The american revolution dc final

Presenters:Dr. Louis Algaze, Principal

Ms. Donna Valls, SLC FacilitatorMr. James Sechrist, Math Dept. Chair/Redesign Team

Ms. Rossana Lopez, Lead TeacherMr. Gaston Rodriguez, Lead TeacherMs. Katerina Nadel, Lead Teacher

THE CALL TO CHANGE- WHY -

• National Model for Secondary School Reform

• Preparing students to meet the challenges of the ever-changing global economy

• Decreasing the drop-out rate/increasing the graduation rate

• Transforming the role of the educator

“AIN’T NO STOPPING US NOW”

Ice BreakerChallenges to SSR:

Facility, infrastructure, planning, redesign We're on the move … We've got the groove

There've been so many things that have held us down But now it looks like things are finally comin' around

I know we've got a long long way to go And where we'll end up … I don't know But we won't let nothing hold us back

We gonna get ourselves together … We gonna polish up our act And if you've ever been held down before

I know that you refuse to be held down any more Don't you let nothing, nothing … Nothing stand in your way

I know you know someone who's got a negative vibe And if you only help it will only keep it alive

They really don't have nowhere to go Ask 'em where they're going … They don't know I know that you refuse to be held down any more

Ain't no stoppin' us now … We're on the move

TRIALS TO ACHIEVING REVOLUTION

• Teacher buy-in is not always there• Scheduling• Coordination• Extended periods for academy

planning/electives• Not having extra periods for electives (vs.

Requirements)• Physical space• Multiple teaching preps• New law: Selection of major

TRIBULATIONS TO REVOLUTION

• Difficulty in “getting off the ground.”• Need for “tweaking” for individual school.• What works in one school may not work in another.• No blueprint• Student transience is an issue• Buy-in from teachers is essential• Transition from middle school critical (articulation

and coordination)

REVOLUTION: THE APPROACH

Demographics

• Population we serve• Faculty/staff• Free/reduced lunch• Student mobility rate• School enhancements

OUR ACADEMIES

Established Academies:• AOIT• Biomedical• Sports Marketing, Management & Entertainment• Engineering• Teaching• Fine Arts

Proposed Academies:• 9th Grade Academy – USA (07/08)• Law Studies (07/08)• Finance (08/09)• Hospitality and Tourism (08/09)

FACILITY REDESIGN

Science labsEASE – Engineering AcademyESE classrooms AOIT – Technology AcademyAM2ASE – Marketing AcademyLaw AcademyFine Arts AcademyABC – Biomedical Academy / HOSATeaching AcademyUSA – Freshman Academy

2nd floor

Ground floor

9th GRADE ACADEMYUndergraduate Studies Academy

• Transition• Selection of Major in 8th grade (law)• 9th Grade Team• Patriot Tools for Success• Introduction to Academies• High School Portfolio• Literacy Initiative• Personalization

REDESIGN: FACULTY/STAFF

• Redefining the roles of the counselors• Changing the roles of administration• Readjusting roles of support staff• “Eminent Domain”• Realigning the roles of the teachers• The “JP” Academy

REVOLUTION: OBSTACLES

• Funding – sustainability• Administrative transitions• Common planning• Bell schedule• Personnel changes• Electives• 8 period schedule

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

CONTACT INFORMATION

Dr. Louis Algaze – [email protected] Valls – [email protected] Sechrist – [email protected] Lopez – [email protected] Rodriguez – [email protected]

Katerina Nadel – [email protected]

Revolutions are not made by men in spectacles.

Oliver Wendell Holmes