Ankeny Schools Alternative Education Report Respectfully submitted by: Brenda Colby October 15, 2012

How does this fit with the ASCD vision? Ankeny Community Schools is unified in its commitment, passion, and vision so every learner is prepared to achieve a lifetime of personal success. Initial focus on students at the top of the pyramid that serves as our visual for meeting the needs of ALL learners:  Students currently served at Neveln  Students not on track for graduation  Students with excessive absences  Students who have experienced repeated school failure  Students who have obstacles preventing them from being successful in school

Meeting the Needs of All Learners 1-5% 5-10% 80-90% Intensive, Individual Interventions Individual Students Assessment-based High Intensity Intensive, Individual Interventions Individual Students Assessment-based Intense, durable procedures Targeted Group Interventions Some students (at-risk) High efficiency Rapid response Targeted Group Interventions Some students (at-risk) High efficiency Rapid response Universal Interventions All students Preventive, proactive Universal Interventions All settings, all students Preventive, proactive Academic SystemsBehavioral Systems Circa 1996

What changes are evolving?  Delivery model Proven model/framework for engaging students in academic work focused on rigor, relevance and relationships Work borne out of the Breaking Ranks II report, Big Picture just did it first!  Individual Learning Plans  Pathways for the future

Current Practices that Fit  Our mission and vision  Our Instructional Framework  Danielson’s Framework  PLC work  Improved student learning  Focus on people

A Shift Teacher-CenteredStudent-Focused Provide instruction/teachingProduce student learning Teacher up front lecturing Teacher interacting with students in flexible groupings Students passive Students active and engaged in learning One size fits all Differentiated instruction based on student needs Rote memorization Real world application and purposeful learning

What do we change?  Instructional model From diploma requirements completion to a pathway for the future Advisors who work daily with a small group of students Internships 2 days per week Mentors who support students in their pathway Academic work demonstrated through rigorous exhibitions

How do we evaluate?  Engaged, challenged, positive learners “ They are passionate about their learning, because they are learning what they are passionate about ” —Met Advisor  Number of students completing the program  Number of graduates  Post secondary pathway plan for each student  Contributing, productive members of our community who give back to their community

What is our timeline?  Design and development (concurrent with improved delivery at Neveln)  Delivery of initial program for students  Full implementation for students (program review that’s underway will determine what grade levels are served)

Who do we serve?  Students who have experienced school failure  Students who reject traditional schooling  Students who need barriers to learning removed so that they can be successful in life

I believe that we learn best when we, not others are deciding what we are going to learn, and when we are choosing the people, materials, and experiences from which we will be learning". John Holt “ There is not such a thing as genuine knowledge and fruitful understanding except as the offspring of doing…This is the lesson which all education has to learn. ” —John Dewey

Thank you and Questions? “ We do things backwards. We think in terms of getting a skill first, and then finding useful and interesting things to do with it. The sensible way, the best way, is to start with something worth doing, and then, moved by a strong desire to do it, get whatever skills are needed. ” — John Holt, How Children Learn