MULTIPLE PATHWAYS TO GRADUATION IN THE OMAHA PUBLIC SCHOOLS COUNCIL OF THE GREAT CITY SCHOOLS CONFERENCE, OCTOBER 27, 2011 Shari Koch Supervisor, Multiple Pathways Development

Omaha Public Schools  Over 49,000 Students (PK – 12)  African American = 30.8%  Asian = 2.6 %  Caucasian = 38.5%  Hispanic = 26.7%  Native American =1.4%  Free and Reduced Lunch participation = 67.2%  English Language Learners = 13.4 %

Independent Studies Program UNO/OPS Program Accelere Gateway to College Multiple Pathways Implementation: Finding the Best Fit

Independent Studies Program Previously the only means outside the traditional high school to a diploma. Students may complete courses either in on-line or textbook-based format. 4 teachers offering core course instruction Serves from 300 – 600 students at a time Ideal for some students Now an opportunity for students to move forward even while in transition

UNO/OPS program  Single classroom on campus at University of Nebraska Omaha  1 administrator, 3 teachers  Up to 60 students enrolled at any given time  Students take independent study-type coursework that is tailored to interests  Up to 3 university courses per semester-dual credit enrollment

Gateway to College  Partnership with Metropolitan Community College  Serving students who have dropped out or at high risk for dropping out  36 seats per quarter, for total capacity of up to 108 new participants each year  Foundation courses first, then may choose from entire community college course menu  Mentoring support is key to student success

Accelere Program  Journey: Beginning with the charge to do things differently  A different conversation…..

Finding ourselves in a new place…

Schedule for Accelere  4 hour blocks of time = a course  Options:  8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.  12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.  5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (M-W or T-Th: Adult High)  13 scheduled days in one “term”  1 “make-up” day opportunity  12 month instruction

A sense of hope… 49 credits required to graduate (one credit = one semester course)  15 “terms” in one year  Take one class per term = 15 credits  Take two classes per term = 30 credits  Recovery (vs. accrual) credits may be earned in half the time

Have it your way…  Choice  Flexibility  Second chances  Older student focus—adult environment  Sense of agency—your future is in your hands

The “Perfect Storm”  Need  Funding  Location  Vision  Result = 35 students began with Accelere on September 25, 2009  Response = by February 2010, 120 students with a waiting list  Currently serve 135 students at a time, with 200 on waiting list

Our students Bright, Motivated, Determined, and with GREAT potential! Common challenges: Teen parents Foster system Court/probation involvement Family chaos Socially challenged

Key elements = the FUTURE is in your hands  Attitude: Respect  Everyone is a Senior!!  We all need second chances  Persistence  A fresh start is never more than 3 weeks away  Flexibility—always keep opportunity in front of the student  Support  Celebrations  Celebrating our successes –all attend “graduations”  Certificates at end of course for credits earned  Earn it: You get what you work for  More time investment = more credit  Earn your way in, and earn your keep  Self-actualization  Natural consequences according to guidelines  Discipline approached from a teaching/problem-solving perspective

Behavior Results: Before and After Behavior for 134 students attending Accelere, fall 2011: 695 “Behavior” data entries in the year prior to moving to Accelere 70 previously reassigned or detained Accelere behavior entries for : 30 “Behavior” entries One reassignment

Academic Results  Approximately 3000 credits earned by Accelere students in one year  135 students currently enrolled  90 graduates in school year  Sample: student transcript  Dropout rate on strong downward trendline

Results….  changed lives. Today, and tomorrow.