Freshman Academy Update May 28, 2013

Freshman Academy Retention Rates Retention rates are significantly down in all high schools. Credit recovery courses and summer school are being utilized more effectively than in the past. Schools are identifying at-risk students in the academies, and using interventions to assist them from the first day of the freshman year.

Freshman Academy Attendance Rates Attendance rates are trending up in all high schools. There are a higher number of schools with favorable rates, in the schools with academies.

Freshman Academy Suspensions and Expulsions Suspensions and Expulsions are down in all high schools. The most dramatic decrease was in the school that began it’s academy this year, NAHS. The academy creates consistency between teachers for basic rules and regulations (ID’s, tardies, disruptions). Expectations and consequences are clear to students, eliminating a majority of common behavior problems.

Freshman Academy Top Priority The top priority of all high schools, is to continue to address the issue of incoming freshman that lack grade-level reading skills. All schools are instituting interventions to address the problems that result from these deficiencies. Freshman teachers need help with strategies to teach reading in ELA as well as other subject areas.

Freshman Academy Anecdotal Information Academy schools have found success in collaboration between teachers with common planning, and the creation of environments where freshman feel safe and free to interact academically. Extra allocation that has allowed Principals to dedicate AP’s and counselors to the academies has been powerful. Larger schools having the ability to focus an AP and counselor exclusively on freshman is critical. I hope the Board will allow the District to maintain this arrangement at AHS, SAHS, NAHS and consider the addition of another AP at MVHS. MVHS is growing, and projected by Tray Traxler, to have the largest incoming freshman class in the history of the District during the 2013-2014 school year.

Freshman Academy Testimonials

Silver Bluff High School Eases transition to high school–helps student successfully pass ninth grade and graduate on time Teachers have chosen to be a part of the academy team-have a vested interest-mentor students Most content-area teachers have common planning Common planning allows for discussion of academic concerns, intervention and remediation strategies, and additional student needs (referrals to guidance, SIT, school nurse, parent calls) Humanities course allows for remediation in reading and math, tutoring, and make up work

Midland Valley High School Transition to high school can be difficult and stressful Students solve personal and social issues, participate in extracurriculars, and master coursework A team of teachers work collaboratively to address students’ needs Students receive a personalized schedule that focuses on identified strengths and weaknesses Academy teachers collect data (test scores, grades, failure rates, discipline, middle school teacher input) to select classes most appropriate for students Emphasize self-reliance and responsibility Relationships between teachers and students lower retention rates and improve graduation rates

Wagener Salley High School Interventions are the key to students success Every effort is made to avoid retentions Academy teachers have a passion for meeting students’ needs Common procedures create an environment of consistency Teachers disaggregate data, identify weaknesses, attack those areas of need Create a community atmosphere with parents-contacts with parent are the norm Compass and USATestPrep provide support and remediation Students constantly exposed to their personal performance data

North Augusta High School Assists the freshman transition to high school–academically and socially Freshman Advisory monitors failing students each quarter by AP and counselor Parent communication has improved on all levels Drastic drop in the number of suspensions due to tardies, ID’s, and disruptions Common planning for teachers greatly increases collaboration and innovation Teachers favor a dedicated AP and guidance counselor Freshman are happier, more comfortable, and have a sense of camaraderie

Freshman Academy Unique Features Teacher Teams- Recruits interested teachers to the academy who are committed to freshman success Common Planning for Teachers- dedicates time to discuss best teaching practices and interventions for struggling students Freshman Data Team- focuses on the unique challenges and solutions needed for success for “red flag” students Dedicated Guidance Counselor- concentrates efforts on academic, behavior/discipline, social/emotional, and data needs of freshmen only Groups Freshmen- dedicated wing, lockers, bell schedule, and lunch period Relevant Professional Development- focuses on specific needs of the academy Professional Learning Communities- administration, teachers, students, and parents

Freshman Features Common in All Schools Identify “red flag” students and develop school-wide and teacher-specific interventions to address needs Use electronic remediation/reinforcement software-i.e. CompassLearning Odyssey Use data to identify school-wide deficiencies and solutions-i.e. MAP, HSAP, EOCT, discipline, attendance, failure rates, teacher-generated information Use SIT to identify school-wide needs, interventions, and professional development

Questions?