Plymouth South High School - NASSP Tampa

Plymouth South High School

Creating a Culture that Prioritizes Personalization and Leads to Effective School Change

March 8, 2012NASSP

Monday, March 5, 2012

Where is Plymouth, Massachusetts?


Location - 40 miles south of Boston, MA

Largest town in Massachusetts: population - 52,000, 134 square miles

9 Elementary Schools - 2 Middle Schools - 2 High Schools

Birthplace of the Nation


PSHS Mission Statement

The mission of Plymouth South High School is to deliver a quality education in a caring, safe, and respectable environment that

encourages a diverse student body to become independent, critical thinkers and productive citizens in a changing society.


Facts about PSHS:Relatively New School (Opened with students in 1989)

1400 Students

203 Staff members

True Comprehensive High School (chapter 74 - 14 shops)

19% Special Education

25% Low Income (Free/Reduced Lunch)

6% Non-White

Overcrowded facility (school built for 1200 students)


Compass ActivityNorth

“Let’s do it!”Likes to act, try things, plunge in

West“Paying attention to details...”Like to know the who, what, when, where, and why before

acting

East“Speculating...”

Like to look at the big picture and the possibilities before

acting

South“Caring”

Like to know that everyone’s feeling have been taken into consideration, that their

voices have been heard, before acting


Why a culture shift was needed...

NEASC Status

Dropout Rate

Multiple study halls per student

Discipline/Attendance/Aggressive Behaviors

Grade 9 Failures

Low Behavioral Standards

Crowded Hallways

No Staff Ownership/Accountability


What we do well...

School Culture

Freshman Academy

Advisory

Communicate

Collaborate

Promote Student Successes


School Culture

Staff Accountability

Advanced Placement Recognition

Literacy Initiative - “Write On!”

Faculty Senate - Rumor Control

Leadership Team - Common Vision

Technology Upgrade

Student Discipline/High Standards


School Change Implementation Timeline

2005-2006 - Freshman Academy

2006-2007 - Freshman Academy with Housemaster

2007-2008 - Initial Review/Research Advisory Program

2008-2009 - Advisory Pilot - Schedule Review

2009-2010 - New Schedule - Advisory Grades 9/10 - Voluntary 11/12

2010-2011 - Old Schedule - Advisory - Senior Project Research


PSHS Freshman Academy

History - Team Structure - Seventh Consecutive Year

Common Planning Time - Technology

Housemaster - Guidance - Staff Teams

Reading Lab - SRI Testing/Lexile Scores

Grade 9 Events: Camp Clark, Barbecue, Academy Awards, etc.

Website - Teacher & Housemaster Blogs

ENHANCED Communication with Families


Logistics of AdvisoryFourth consecutive year

Freshmen and Sophomores mandatory

Juniors and Seniors optional

Curriculum Binders by Grade Level

9th - Transition into High School; Study Skills

10th - Career Exploration; Driver’s License

11th - Personal Finance; Stress Management

12th - Conflict Resolution; Post-Secondary Process

Looping for four years


Longitudinal Data for Advisory

2008-2009(Pilot Program)

2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012

Advisories Per Week

Two Days25 Minutes/Day


One Day25 Minutes/Day


Curriculum YesYes

* provided to teachersJune before Sept. start

Yes* additional units created based on teacher input

Yes

StipendAdvisors compensated

for meeting time (hourly rate)

No compensation

$400.00 stipend(SLC Grant)

$400.00 stipend(SLC Grant)

Professional Development

Yes Yes Yes

(added CPT)Yes

# of Teachers Involved

12 Teachers 61 Teachers 76 Teachers 89 Teachers

% of Students Involved

13% of student population





Personalization Goals of PSHS...Achieved!!

Reduced freshman failures

Real life application of education

Reduced Dropout Rate - Sustainability

DRASTICALLY - Improved School Culture

Freshmen Academy

Effective Advisory Program

Senior Project


Senior ProjectThe purpose of the Senior Project is to empower all students to explore

an area of great personal interest that extends beyond the classroom setting. Through this project based learning, students will apply

knowledge and connect research that culminates with a showcase demonstrating their learning stretch. Students will produce physical/

written products, oral presentations, and portfolios.

Proposal

Paper

Practicum

Product

Portfolio

Presentation

“6 P’s”


Panther TV Story


Student Perspective


Seniors: Mariah McKenna and Anna Gleason

Anna - Social Media and the Athlete

Real World Application

Positives

Mariah - The Evolution of Lacrosse

Networking

Challenges


Teacher Perspective


ObstaclesImplementing Change

Contractual Obligations

Disgruntled Staff

Senior Project - Next Steps

Advisory/Senior Project Facilitator

Bell schedule

Other - must keep moving forward


Where do we go from here?

Redistricting - New North

Increase Population of Senior Project Students

Maintain Advisory Program

Sustain Strong School Culture


Questions/Answers

“Change is optional; growth is mandatory”-Michael Fullan


Plymouth South High School - NASSP Tampa

Education

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