Play as guests enter the room to set the tone.

Transforming AP Culture with: Professional Learning & Scheduling Tim Scott - Superintendent Kiski Area School District Chad Roland - Principal Kiski Area High School Matt Smith - Assistant Principal KAHS Zach Jankowski - AP Statistics Teacher KAHS Holly Jacobs - AP Language Teacher KAHS

Today’s Agenda Kiski Area background Confronting our Reality Implementing Professional Learning Teams to evolve our culture Partnering with National Math & Science Initiative Developing a Supportive Structure #Kiski_Area_SD At end of this slide in present mode - add Q & A feature - set to allow for anyone access, not just KA. This will put site at top for people to type questions.

Kiski Area School District: Is 35 miles Northeast of Pittsburgh #Kiski_Area_SD

Kiski Area School District: Has 3,648 Students 1,153 at the High School #Kiski_Area_SD

Kiski Area School District: Was one of the first schools in PA to partner with National Math + Science Initiative (NMSI) Is also a Google Reference District, (one of 107 in the United States) #Kiski_Area_SD There were only 9 schools in PA when we started. There are now 31 schools in PA who have participated or will be participating in the program. NMSI next - extended program to maintain momentum built beyond 3 year program.

KASD Realities In 2015-2016 Kiski Area had 249 AP enrollments 68 AP tests taken 62 Qualifying scores on AP Exam Had a traditional 8 period school day Had traditional disconnected Professional Learning Had a culture of dividing students into levels EX: 10% of 10th grade in Honors English 10 #Kiski_Area_SD

KASD Responses Creating Professional Learning Communities across the district Partnership with the National Math & Science Initiative (NMSI) to provide support to our AP Teachers Creating a structure that supports our vision: Continued professional learning Students learning at higher levels #Kiski_Area_SD

The Road to a Professional Learning Community-Impetus for Change “The fundamental purpose of school is learning, not teaching.” ~ Richard DuFour ~ #Kiski_Area_SD

The Road to a Professional Learning Community-Definition of a PLC “An ongoing process in which educators work interdependently in recurring cycles of collective inquiry and action research to achieve better results for the students they serve.” ~ Rebecca DuFour ~ From The Summit, Phoenix Convention Center 2/21/18 #Kiski_Area_SD

The Road to a Professional Learning Community Focus on Learning (adults and students) Teachers must collaborate Focus on results Share best practices Must be a system value on our most rigorous courses Eliminate Elitist Mentality Provide support for ALL learners #Kiski_Area_SD

The Road to a Professional Learning Community This led to the following: All Buildings provide I/E time All buildings provide built in teacher collaboration time Connected student learning to our professional development of staff #Kiski_Area_SD We use to have building wide Faculty Advisory meetings - now we met with all teachers regularly and had a better understanding of needs of our staff in regards to student learning.

Professional Learning Community How has this impacted you as a Professional? How has this impacted your students? #Kiski_Area_SD We use to have building wide Faculty Advisory meetings - now we met with all teachers regularly and had a better understanding of needs of our staff in regards to student learning.

The Road to a NMSI Partner School We met with our AP teachers Needed to place more value on AP Exams at KAHS Had to address barriers (College in HS, cost of test, perceived classes for elite) Brought in representative from NMSI to meet and learn about the program Set up formal presentations to Superintendent, Business Manager, Board of Education, and faculty at ALL district buildings #Kiski_Area_SD ALL staff was a key component. Wanted to connect this value of AP as the most rigorous courses we offer to the concept of making ALL classes more rigorous.

KASD & NMSI Alignment Kiski Area Purpose Ensure every child is learning at the highest level he or she ever has NMSI Belief Statement Empower teachers and equip students with knowledge and skills to achieve in school and close opportunity and achievement gaps that exist #Kiski_Area_SD

NMSI Provided to KAHS: #Kiski_Area_SD NMSI AP Equipment Grant The NMSI Teacher Portal AP Teacher Summer Institute CRP/LTF Student Stipends Two-Day Fall Workshops Exam Fee Subsidy Mock Exam/Reading Training Structured Tutoring Sessions Mentors Saturday Study Sessions Teacher Stipend #Kiski_Area_SD

Kiski Area School District committed to: Kiski Area pays a stipend to NMSI to participate All students taking AP courses at Kiski Area High School will take the AP exam Connecting this partnership with Professional Learning occurring across the district #Kiski_Area_SD The last bullet was our internal goal - our ability to use this program could create a cultural change in our PLC model.

NMSI Partnership How has this impacted you as a Professional? How has this impacted your students? #Kiski_Area_SD We use to have building wide Faculty Advisory meetings - now we met with all teachers regularly and had a better understanding of needs of our staff in regards to student learning.

The Road to Supportive Structures Implemented Schedule structures to support the purpose Reduce classes per day Embed collaborative times Embed support for students Connect NMSI professional learning throughout the district #Kiski_Area_SD

The Road to a Supportive Structure This led to the following: HS - Alternating A/B Schedule Opportunities for all students to take Advanced classes Created new courses to fill schedules Career/Tech students Provide Intervention/Enrichment time CAV Time - Lunch & Learn IEP Students #Kiski_Area_SD Without study halls, students needed more “elective” classes - led to addition of classes like AP Environmental and AP Computer Science. Career & Technology students now had 5 periods per year to take classes and could receive the additional I/E time they might need for a more rigorous schedule.

The Road to a Supportive Structure This led to the following: Provide built in teacher collaboration One meeting at a time Created a platform to showcase the work of our AP Teachers and establish their leadership among our staff Elimination of ALL “general” core tracks Only option is honors or AP #Kiski_Area_SD Only one meeting at a time was a key for us as principals to keep the focus on learning for all meetings.

Supportive Structures How has this impacted you as a Professional? How has this impacted your students? #Kiski_Area_SD We use to have building wide Faculty Advisory meetings - now we met with all teachers regularly and had a better understanding of needs of our staff in regards to student learning.

What does this look like at Kiski Area? #Kiski_Area_SD You as needed.

Results Speak for Themselves National Math and Science Initiative Infusion of energy to our AP Program #1 in the nation during the 2016-17 61 to 175 Qualifying Scores in Math, Science, and English 185% Increase From 62 to 188 Qualifying Scores Overall #Kiski_Area_SD

Results Speak for Themselves #Kiski_Area_SD

Results Speak for Themselves Increased the number of AP courses offered from 9 to 14 50% of 11th grade in AP Language (11th grade) #Kiski_Area_SD

Question and Answer Session From the google Q & A Additional Questions #Kiski_Area_SD

Reflective Activity Think about the following: What squares with your thinking? What is circling in your head? What is a diamond in the rough? #Kiski_Area_SD May or may not need - Will need to check time at this point.

Contact Information Dr. Timothy Scott tim.scott@kiskiarea.com Mr. Chad Roland chad.roland@kiskiarea.com Mr. Matt Smith matt.smith@kiskiarea.com Mr. Zach Jankowski zach.jankowski@kiskiarea.com Ms. Holly Jacobs holly.jacobs@kiskiarea.com #Kiski_Area_SD Must take business cards to handout

Today’s Resources Kiski Area AP Conference Resources #Kiski_Area_SD Must take business cards to handout