Promoting Collaborative Work in Schools and Districts presentation for Princeton University conference on High Schools Friday, April 27, 2009 Naomi Housman Executive Director, High School Reform Policy and Research The School District of Philadelphia

School District of Philadelphia: High Schools 60 High Schools 48,000 students 31 Neighborhood/Comprehensive 8 Career & Technical Education 18 Special Admission 14 Citywide Admission Approx 30 Small Schools

Research for Action, SDP Small Schools Serve 30% of all students –13 special admission –8 city-wide admissions schools –10 neighborhood high schools 75% of all 8th graders participated in the high school choice process –Of those, 56% applied to a small high school –Approx. 50% of all applicants were accepted to a school of their choice

SDP Office of Accountability9 Graduation and Attendance 51.5% graduation rate for Class of 2006 (02-03 first-time 9th graders) 1 in 5 (2,500) first-time 9 th graders in have missed 20% or more of school

SDP Five-Year Strategic Plan: Imagine 2014 Student Success Quality Choices Great Staff Accountable Adults World-Class Operations

Imagine 2014: High Schools Personalized Learning Environments 9 th grade transition Adult advocate for each student Advisories in all high schools One grade-level counselor for every 200 students 9th & 10th grade looping for English & Math teachers Restructured schedule: 7 period + 1 for remediation; CPT for teachers Schedule students with groups of teachers

Imagine 2014: High Schools Student Ownership Individual graduation plans for every 9th grader StudentNet, online graduation tool Student Success Centers Standards-based credits Online learning

Imagine 2014: High Schools Curriculum 21 st century skills Arts SAT/ACT Prep AP and Honors, Dual Enrollment Work-Based experiences Three new CTE high schools in partnership with industries; improve current CTE programs

Imagine 2014: Recs for High Schools Instruction and Professional Development Differentiation by student, school needs One small high school dedicated to preparing future Philadelphia teachers

Imagine 2014: High Schools Positive School Climate Single School Culture Positive Behavior support Indicators for climate and safety Student ownership

Imagine 2014: High Schools Early Warning Indicator System K-12 Used for school-wide planning at 3 levels of intervention Used to monitor and evaluate schools Parents and students are provided information about the indicators

Imagine 2014: High Schools Re-engagement for Out-of-School Youth Wide range of options Re-engagement center (s) Information for families and students about options Collaborate with city and share city resources

Imagine 2014: High Schools Accountability: Annual School Report Cards PSSA Proficiency Reduction of Achievement Gap On-track-to-graduation rate – First time 9 th graders accumulate 5 or more credits – First time 9 th graders pass both English and Math Drop out Returning to neighborhood school Receiving college/career counseling PSAT/SAT participation Percentage in AP classes Student and teacher attendance Operations Facility Community School Selected Indicators

Imagine 2014: High Schools Accountability: Annual School Report Cards-- School Selected Indicators Increase in SAT scores Increase in minority enrollment in Advanced Placement Advanced Placement tests passed Increased use of technology (survey) Post-secondary enrollment Increase in Advanced Placement courses offered Increase in physicals recorded

Imagine 2014: High Schools Strategic Partnerships with city, state, and federal agencies Partner with DHS to provide wrap- around services Establish and sustain local and state relationships that support the district agenda and plan

Imagine 2014: High Schools Strategic Partnerships with Businesses Provide a menu of partnership options Use partnerships to expose students to careers via internships, etc. Establish executive exchange/on-loan program to build capacity Initiate programs such as Principal for a Day to draw partners into schools

Imagine 2014: High Schools Strategic Partnerships with Colleges and Universities Increase and strengthen schools that work with higher ed institutions Work with colleges of education to prepare, train teachers for urban ed

Imagine 2014: High Schools Strategic Partnerships with Alumni, Non-Profit, Community-based, and Faith-based organizations Build district-wide alumni association establish city-wide child advocacy coalition of parents and community groups build partnerships with organizations targeted to serve specific needs Develop systems to track information on partnerships, grant development, idea/concept development, and results

Central Office Structures to Support High Schools CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICE Comprehensive High School Region –27 Neighborhood High Schools (18 are “Empowerment Schools”) Charter, Partnership and New Schools CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICE Comprehensive High School Region High School Reform –College & Career Awareness (incl. GEAR UP, AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, Robotics, SGA) –Career and Technical Education –Comprehensive High School Reform Support (SLC and DOL Program, strategic interventions) –Reform Grants Implementation –JROTC Empowerment Schools (Instructional; Student & Family, Leadership, Operational Supports) Counseling and Promotion Standards Accountability (SchoolNet, School Innovation & Best Practices, Perf Targets & Data Analysis, Research) Teaching and Learning (High School Support, Core Curriculum, High School Literacy Plan) Professional Development CHIEF OF SCHOOL OPERATIONS Transition and Alternative Education –Multiple Pathways to Graduation (Dropout prevention and recovery)

Challenges Ahead Becoming a “smart district” (Simmons, 2008) –Knowledge management processes and systems –Data use at all levels –Communication –Collaboration –Accountability-Autonomy balance –Community engagement, ownership Rethinking Scale (Coburn, 2003) –Depth –Sustainability –Spread –Shift in Reform Ownership