Promoting Collaborative Work in Schools and Districts

presentation for Princeton University conference on High Schools

Friday, April 27, 2009

Naomi HousmanExecutive Director, High School Reform Policy and Research

The School District of Philadelphianghousman@philasd.org

School District of Philadelphia: High Schools

• 60 High Schools

• 48,000 students

• 31 Neighborhood/Comprehensive

• 8 Career & Technical Education

• 18 Special Admission

• 14 Citywide Admission

• Approx 30 Small Schools

3Research for Action, 2008

SDP Small Schools

• Serve 30% of all students– 13 special admission– 8 city-wide admissions schools– 10 neighborhood high schools

• 75% of all 8th graders participated in the high school choice process– Of those, 56% applied to a small high school– Approx. 50% of all applicants were accepted to a

school of their choice

4SDP Office of Accountability

Graduation and Attendance

• 51.5% graduation rate for Class of 2006 (02-03 first-time 9th graders)

• 1 in 5 (2,500) first-time 9th graders in 08-09 have missed 20% or more of school

SDP Five-Year Strategic Plan: SDP Five-Year Strategic Plan: Imagine 2014Imagine 2014

• Student Success• Quality Choices

• Great Staff• Accountable Adults

• World-Class Operations

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Personalized Learning Environments•9th grade transition•Adult advocate for each student•Advisories in all high schools•One grade-level counselor for every 200 students•9th & 10th grade looping for English & Math teachers•Restructured schedule: 7 period + 1 for remediation; CPT for teachers•Schedule students with groups of teachers

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Student Ownership•Individual graduation plans for every 9th grader•StudentNet, online graduation tool•Student Success Centers•Standards-based credits•Online learning

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Curriculum•21st century skills•Arts•SAT/ACT Prep•AP and Honors, Dual Enrollment•Work-Based experiences•Three new CTE high schools in partnership with industries; improve current CTE programs

Imagine 2014: Recs for High Schools

Instruction and Professional Development•Differentiation by student, school needs•One small high school dedicated to preparing future Philadelphia teachers

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Positive School Climate•Single School Culture•Positive Behavior support•Indicators for climate and safety•Student ownership

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Early Warning Indicator System•K-12•Used for school-wide planning at 3 levels of intervention•Used to monitor and evaluate schools•Parents and students are provided information about the indicators

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Re-engagement for Out-of-School Youth•Wide range of options•Re-engagement center (s)•Information for families and students about options•Collaborate with city and share city resources

Imagine 2014: High SchoolsAccountability: Annual School Report Cards•PSSA Proficiency•Reduction of Achievement Gap

•On-track-to-graduation rate–First time 9th graders accumulate 5 or more credits–First time 9th graders pass both English and Math

•Drop out•Returning to neighborhood school•Receiving college/career counseling•PSAT/SAT participation•Percentage in AP classes•Student and teacher attendance

•Operations•Facility•Community

•School Selected Indicators

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Accountability: Annual School Report Cards-- School Selected Indicators

•Increase in SAT scores•Increase in minority enrollment in Advanced Placement•Advanced Placement tests passed•Increased use of technology (survey)•Post-secondary enrollment•Increase in Advanced Placement courses offered•Increase in physicals recorded

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Strategic Partnerships with city, state, and federal agencies

•Partner with DHS to provide wrap-around services•Establish and sustain local and state relationships that support the district agenda and plan

Imagine 2014: High SchoolsStrategic Partnerships with Businesses

•Provide a menu of partnership options•Use partnerships to expose students to careers via internships, etc.•Establish executive exchange/on-loan program to build capacity•Initiate programs such as Principal for a Day to draw partners into schools

Imagine 2014: High Schools

Strategic Partnerships with Colleges and Universities

•Increase and strengthen schools that work with higher ed institutions•Work with colleges of education to prepare, train teachers for urban ed

Imagine 2014: High SchoolsStrategic Partnerships with Alumni, Non-Profit, Community-based, and Faith-based organizations•Build district-wide alumni association•establish city-wide child advocacy coalition of parents and community groups•build partnerships with organizations targeted to serve specific needs•Develop systems to track information on partnerships, grant development, idea/concept development, and results

Central Office Structures to Support High SchoolsCHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE• Comprehensive High School Region

– 27 Neighborhood High Schools (18 are “Empowerment Schools”)• Charter, Partnership and New Schools

CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICE• Comprehensive High School Region• High School Reform

– College & Career Awareness (incl. GEAR UP, AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, Robotics, SGA)– Career and Technical Education– Comprehensive High School Reform Support (SLC and DOL Program, strategic interventions)– Reform Grants Implementation– JROTC

• Empowerment Schools (Instructional; Student & Family, Leadership, Operational Supports)• Counseling and Promotion Standards• Accountability (SchoolNet, School Innovation & Best Practices, Perf Targets & Data Analysis, Research)• Teaching and Learning (High School Support, Core Curriculum, High School Literacy Plan)• Professional Development

CHIEF OF SCHOOL OPERATIONS• Transition and Alternative Education

– Multiple Pathways to Graduation (Dropout prevention and recovery)

Challenges Ahead• Becoming a “smart district” (Simmons, 2008)

– Knowledge management processes and systems– Data use at all levels– Communication– Collaboration– Accountability-Autonomy balance– Community engagement, ownership

• Rethinking Scale (Coburn, 2003)– Depth– Sustainability– Spread– Shift in Reform Ownership