GRAHAM, USA

Graham High School H elping O ur S tudents T o S ucceed! July 10, 2008

Graham High School Profile 750 Students 750 Students 55 Professional Staff Members 55 Professional Staff Members 8 Period Day 8 Period Day Rated as Academically Acceptable by the Texas Education Agency Rated as Academically Acceptable by the Texas Education Agency Located in the heart of “lake country” 90 miles Northwest of Ft. Worth and 60 miles South of Wichita Falls Located in the heart of “lake country” 90 miles Northwest of Ft. Worth and 60 miles South of Wichita Falls

G.H.S. Demographics Enrollment 754 Enrollment 754 Ethnicity (approximate) Ethnicity (approximate) White 81.1% Hispanic 16.9% African American 1.5% Asian 0.04% Native American 0.04% Econ. Disadvantaged 21.9% Special Education 14.9%

HOSTS Helping Our Students To Succeed Helping Our Students To Succeed Began in 2002 – 2003 School Year Began in 2002 – 2003 School Year 41”mentors” in the High School 41”mentors” in the High School Mentors stay with their class for 4 years. Mentors stay with their class for 4 years. Four sessions per year Four sessions per year

HOSTS Program Partnership Graham Independent School District Graham Industrial Association

HOSTS TCCE “Education Program of the Year, 2003” TCCE “Best New Chamber Program in Texas, 2004”

Why HOSTS Started Poorly-prepared workforce Poorly-prepared workforce Students not ready for college Students not ready for college Community not involved in the schools Community not involved in the schools

The Plan Involve the community in the school Involve the community in the school Increase the number of students taking more challenging courses Increase the number of students taking more challenging courses Increase the percentage of: Increase the percentage of: Texas Scholars Texas Scholars Distinguished Achievement Plan Distinguished Achievement Plan

Curriculum Last 4 years Last 4 years Written by GHS staffWritten by GHS staff Self Worth Self Worth Dealing with peer pressure Dealing with peer pressure Integrity Integrity This Year – “Soft Skills” This Year – “Soft Skills” Written by Business LeadersWritten by Business Leaders Learning to Learn Learning to Learn Communication Communication Resume Building Resume Building Essential Skills for Life Essential Skills for Life

Flexibility Each mentor is free to deviate from the planned curriculum as long as the topic is covered Each mentor is free to deviate from the planned curriculum as long as the topic is covered Curriculum will change year-to-year Curriculum will change year-to-year Feedback from the H.S. staff is solicited and strongly considered Feedback from the H.S. staff is solicited and strongly considered

Change in Student’s Goals BEFORE HOSTS NOW Minimum 75% Minimum 13% Tex. Sch. 52% Tex. Sch. & DAP 25% DAP 35%

Tangible Results of HOSTS Increased AP participation Increased AP participation Increased number of students in upper-level courses Increased number of students in upper-level courses Increased awareness in community of students’ education issues Increased awareness in community of students’ education issues Program being considered for adoption at the national level Program being considered for adoption at the national level

Advantages to Students Local employers hire Texas Scholars over students in the minimum plan Local employers hire Texas Scholars over students in the minimum plan Local scholarships have increased. Local scholarships have increased. Students are better prepared for college courses. Students are better prepared for college courses.

Nuts and Bolts Each Mentor receives a curriculum book.Each Mentor receives a curriculum book. PowerPoint printout with notes PowerPoint printout with notes Each teacher receives a notebook.Each teacher receives a notebook. Printout of PowerPoint presentation Printout of PowerPoint presentation  With notes CD with PowerPoint Presentation CD with PowerPoint Presentation Take-away handouts for the students Take-away handouts for the students

Community Leaders in the Classroom

How can your HIGH SCHOOL do this? Form a team.Form a team. Chamber of Commerce Chamber of Commerce Economic Development agencies Economic Development agencies School administration School administration Local higher education resources Local higher education resources Newspaper / radio Newspaper / radio Roll up your sleeves.Roll up your sleeves. Be prepared to ASK others to get involved Be prepared to ASK others to get involved

QUESTIONS??