Westwood Community School District Meeting the needs of At Risk youth! Westwood Community School District Meeting the needs of At Risk youth! Glen Taylor

We offer a researcher centric, constructivist, project based, online high school experience for At- Risk teens. We offer two tracks for students to engage in learning. Not School (100% on-line) and My School (Lab min. of two times a week). We offer a researcher centric, constructivist, project based, online high school experience for At- Risk teens. We offer two tracks for students to engage in learning. Not School (100% on-line) and My School (Lab min. of two times a week).

Policies Impacting Innovation Our program currently runs under a Seat Time Waiver awarded by the State Superintendent. The waiver ensures that we can operate this innovative program and still receive state funding. A push is currently being made in the Legislature for Cyber Rules to govern this process. Our program currently runs under a Seat Time Waiver awarded by the State Superintendent. The waiver ensures that we can operate this innovative program and still receive state funding. A push is currently being made in the Legislature for Cyber Rules to govern this process.

The Cyber High School We began the program in February with 180 Researchers and now have 540 active researchers on-line. We provide computer workstations and connectivity for all researchers in the program. We employ approximately 108 employees working as project managers, technicians, experts and mentors. We are open 365 days a year and 24/7. We have staff online throughout the night. We began the program in February with 180 Researchers and now have 540 active researchers on-line. We provide computer workstations and connectivity for all researchers in the program. We employ approximately 108 employees working as project managers, technicians, experts and mentors. We are open 365 days a year and 24/7. We have staff online throughout the night.

7 WCHS is modeled after a research based program in the United Kingdom The Not School Program has a 98% reengagement rate, have serviced 6,000 students and has 9 years of documented success. Westwood has a formal partnership with the Inclusion Trust, an entity of the Ministry of Education in the UK. The Westwood Team experienced the program firsthand as well as formed a PLC with the U.K. Program. The Not School Program has a 98% reengagement rate, have serviced 6,000 students and has 9 years of documented success. Westwood has a formal partnership with the Inclusion Trust, an entity of the Ministry of Education in the UK. The Westwood Team experienced the program firsthand as well as formed a PLC with the U.K. Program.

8 How It Works! Researcher: The student Mentor: A certified teacher available online only Expert: An expert in a specific content subject area: Highly Qualified Researcher: The student Mentor: A certified teacher available online only Expert: An expert in a specific content subject area: Highly Qualified

9 Local Project Team: Team Leader: The team leader will be a Michigan certified teacher and will service all researchers within the community. The Team Leader is responsible for ensuring students are engaging in the program. Technician: The technician is available to support researchers (students) with technical difficulties that may arise and will ensure student access to functioning hardware/software and connectivity. Logistics Coordinator: Will assist the community with enrollment, inductions, reporting, and home visits. Team Leader: The team leader will be a Michigan certified teacher and will service all researchers within the community. The Team Leader is responsible for ensuring students are engaging in the program. Technician: The technician is available to support researchers (students) with technical difficulties that may arise and will ensure student access to functioning hardware/software and connectivity. Logistics Coordinator: Will assist the community with enrollment, inductions, reporting, and home visits.

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11 Westwood Cyber High School (WCHS) Goals: Offer disengaged teens, an innovative, non-traditional path to earn their high school diploma. Develop life long learners, equipped with 21 st century skills they can use to obtain a higher education or employment. Create opportunities for students to obtain credits towards an advanced degree and/or trade skills. Offer disengaged teens, an innovative, non-traditional path to earn their high school diploma. Develop life long learners, equipped with 21 st century skills they can use to obtain a higher education or employment. Create opportunities for students to obtain credits towards an advanced degree and/or trade skills.

Westwood Cyber Researchers

An average of 90 % agree or strongly agree that PBL and WCHS is a better way to learn.

100% of the researchers state that project activities are useful. 95% state teachers know their subject area well.

Retention

Parent Survey Data Results

92% of parents would Recommend WCHS

Staff Survey Data Results

Learning at WCHS Proficiency Based ( The only way to earn credit is through demonstrated proficiency). Student Centered! It is our job to engage students in a continuos conversation about learning wrapped in the state content expectations. We have no courses. Story of a Project Proficiency Based ( The only way to earn credit is through demonstrated proficiency). Student Centered! It is our job to engage students in a continuos conversation about learning wrapped in the state content expectations. We have no courses. Story of a Project

Contact Information Glen Taylor Executive Director of Innovation/ State and Federal Programs Glen Taylor Executive Director of Innovation/ State and Federal Programs