“ NUTS AND BOLTS” CHOICES and ReConnect Scottsbluff High School Programs

Scottsbluff High School Accommodates All Learners Choices: Customizing thematic instruction based on student interests and passions, personalized learning with real world relevancy and high expectations. ReConnect Center: Credit recovery Expelled or long-term suspended Extended hours Advising/Counseling VALTS: Individualized on-line curriculum to move students toward graduation, half day attendance.

What is an At-Risk Student? An at-risk student is one who is not thriving and fulfilling their potential. Contributing factors may be: Issues with anxiety, depression Very bright and not challenged Low socio-economic Students who get lost in a large environment Minority Poverty Students who are NOT linguistic or logical-sequential English Language Learners Special Education Families who do not value education Single parent homes Homeless Drug use

CONTINUATION DATA Scottsbluff High School, December, 2012 STUDY BASED ON A TOTAL OF 196 GRADUATES 120 out of 196 graduates were found to be enrolled in a post-secondary school in the fall after graduation. Graduates enrolled in 4 year colleges 26.0% Graduates enrolled in 2 year colleges 34.2% Graduates enrolled in vocation/tech 1.0% Graduates enrolled in military service 4.6% Graduates employed full-time 16.3% Graduates employed part-time 6.6% Graduates not working or attending school 7.7% + Drop Out Rate: 15%

MISSION The mission of CHOICES is to provide a small environment where students are inspired to become critical thinkers who possess the tools to positively impact their community and the world.

Who Are CHOICES Students? They are Students Who: Feel disengaged or want a small environment Want to graduate, have life goals, and would like to set career and academic goals Make a contribution with decision-making power for the betterment of the school and community Want to have a voice and make a difference Will work collaboratively with their peers Will invest in positive relationships with teachers and peers Need project-based, experiential learning to thrive, not just survive

Current Demographics of CHOICES GPA 1 to 2.0: 19 38% 2 to 3.0: 22 44% 3 to 4.0: 9 18% Ethnic Diversity 1 Native American and Hispanic 2% 2 Native American 4% 20 Hispanic 40% 27 White/Non-Hispanic 54% Gender 21 Males 42% 29 Females 58% Free/Reduced Lunch 27 54% Special Education 3 6%

Schedule of Events Intensive – First week of school. Minimum of 2 field explorations per semester: – College visits – Industry explorations – Service learning experiences – Enrichment opportunities 1 Capstone trip for seniors

Graduation Requirements Aligned with current SHS graduation requirements. Credits based on achievement of standards. Classes will rotate on hectares (every 6 weeks) Progress Reports will be sent home at the end of a hectare. Parent contact ongoing. Custom grading system to transfer standards to SHS grades and credits by semester. Students will be included in SHS class ranks and Valedictorian. 2 graduation ceremonies: Both SHS and CHOICES.

CHOICES Schedule TimesClasses 7:50-9:001 st Hour 9:05-10:152 nd Hour 10:20–10:50CREW 10:50-11:30Lunch 11:30-12:403 rd Hour 12:45-1:504 th Hour 1:50-3:30College, Electives, Interns, Extended Study at School, or Service Learning. CHOICES Daily Schedule CREW: “We are CREW, not passengers.” Planning together for events, decision making, problem solving, building culture, career skills, self-discovery. Student-student, student-teacher relationship building.

Mission of ReConnect The mission of ReConnect is to re-engage and motivate students through advising, counseling, mentoring, and individualized instruction to want to reconnect to an academic environment.

Who Are ReConnect Students? Potentially Could Be: Transient students Chronically truant Teen parents Working teens Dropouts Disengaged Significantly credit deficient Homeless Shelter students Students forced to move from their homes Students in transition Juvenile detention students

Schedule for ReConnect Week DaysTimes MWF7:50-3:20 TTH10:00-6:00

Staffing Requirements 2 Para-Educators – One located in Choices Education assistance, clerical work and documentation, monitoring activities, parent contacts, credit monitoring in collaboration with SHS. – One located in ReConnect Scheduling student times, A+ management and assistance, attendance monitoring, parent contacts

Staffing (cont.) 4 Teachers for CHOICES (cont.) – Science – Math – Social Studies – English 1 CHOICES - ReConnect Special Educator/Counselor – Provide special education and counseling services for students and parents – Assess students for learning styles and career pathways – Organize job shadows and internships – Report to administration at SHS

Funding CHOICES $125,000 savings from slots at VALTS (SHS will continue to hold 8 slots) Unallocated staff from previous years reserved to provide 3 FTEs Staffing at CHOICES will NOT result in reduced staffing at the High School

Additional Funding: Challenge Access College Grant $40,000 to $50,000 spread over 2 or more years Service Learning Grant $1, All students at CHOICES will have a Google Chromebook for research for individual and group projects. Teachers will have management systems. All students at ReConnect will have access to a computer. Each classroom will contain a Bright Link interactive board and projector. Materials and Technology

Service learning with personal reflection and introspection Instructional strategies using the inquiry method Career coaching with internships and mentorships Clear academic, career, and life goals High amount of interaction and collaboration Leadership skills embedded in each class Creation of a personal portfolio of work Presentation of learning for graduation requirement Access to electives and extra-curricular activities at SHS CHOICES will incorporate:

21 st Century Education Student Centered Holistic Emphasis on becoming Career /College Ready Career Standards embedded in each class Thematic, real world relevancy Project-based, Experiential Field Exploration Curriculum aligned with state and common core standards, written by English, Social Studies and Science teachers (no textbooks except for Math) Google Chromebooks for each student Dual credit Service Learning related to instruction

ReConnect will incorporate: Academic and Career Advising Student and Family Counseling One on One Assistance with A+ and On-Line Learning Home-Based Instruction Extended Hours

How the community has shown support: Mentoring Internships Speakers Financial Support Technology (Each student will have use of laptops for research, smartboards, printers, software,e-portfolios, etc) Service Learning Camping Gear Volunteering for Expeditions/Field Trips Music and Art, Private Lessons Serve on advisory board, currently 20 members

Questions