ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION SYNERGY TURNAROUND EFFORTS

What is Alternative Education? In ten words or less, tell me what alternative education is. ByXuRq6FXbOq2H1

lls/ByXuRq6FXbOq2H1

What isn’t Good Alternative Education… Classroom/school with lower academic expectations A dumping ground for kids who don’t fit in a mainstream setting Inconsistent specialized instruction Weak transitional planning A place where behavioral management trumps academic expectations

Building successful alternative programs…

Our Turnaround Story Preface Chapter 1: Chapter 2: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” --Helen Keller

Preface Change in leadership Clear mission and vision Commitment to accountability

Turnaround Story Preface Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Year in Review

Chapter One People Processes Plan Data

Year One Rigor Alignment PD Core Beliefs Theory of Action Collaboration Teacher Eval Right people in the right places Improve data collection (climate, academic, attendance) Parent communication Alumni Partnerships SIP progress monitoring Teacher & Student Reports

Year one analysis Data &Results PlanPeopleProcesses

Chapter One AreaThemes Assess people Voluntary and involuntary transfers 9 new hires (about 33% of staff) Assess processes Expansion of instructional day Alternative to suspensions College or career readiness Connectedness Assess plan Quarterly review of discipline Analysis of grades Data driving results

Present Day Preface Chapter 1: Chapter 2: “Remember teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.” ― Patrick Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

Chapter Two Entry Plan Assess people Assess processes Assess plan Data

Chapter Two AreaKey data points Assess people 9 new hires Intentional instructional planning Assess processes Shift mindset Focus on PBIS Focus on reduction suspensions Above and Beyond Assess plan Quarterly review of discipline Analysis of grades Data driving results

Year Two Intentional Instructional Planning Bell Activities Writing Pathway work Leveraging resources Fostering teacher leadership PD Support new staff Expand PBIS Reduce suspensions Attendance College coursework Parent group Alumni group Partnerships SIP progress monitoring Teacher & Student Reports

“We are going to be the best school in the state of Connecticut; not the best alternative school; not the best school in East Hartford, not the best high school; the best school.” Mindset Shift

Brutal Facts and Desired Outcomes FactsOutcomes  High school students who have underachieved  High school students with, at times, challenging home lives  High school students with among the lowest achievement scores in the state, poor grades, or inadequate credits  High school students with limited connections to parents, teachers, and other adults  High school students with unrealized potential  High school students who are among the most resilient humans alive  High school students who can problem solve, find solutions, and achieve accomplishments when given the chance  High school students ready to be engaged at school  College or Career ready students  Improved attendance rates  Improved credit accumulation  Better people

We’re Different because…. FactsOutcomes  High school students who have underachieved  High school students with, at times, challenging home lives  High school students with among the lowest achievement scores in the state, poor grades, or inadequate credits  High school students with limited connections to parents, teachers, and other adults  High school students with unrealized potential  High school students who are among the most resilient humans alive  High school students who can problem solve, find solutions, and achieve accomplishments when given the chance  High school students ready to be engaged in school school  College or Career ready students  Improved attendance rates  Improved credit accumulation  Better people Team Synergy saw the green all along…

Greatness is a Choice Let’s Do it

In sum, What matters to Team Synergy: C EFFORTS M P E GREATNESS E E X O L N P L A C E U T E C T I T I O A O N T N S I S H O I N P RESULTS S

INTENTIONALITY Planning – Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment Steering committee Parent input Alumni input

COLLABORATION Weekly updates + Phone call commitment Events – Alumni event, College/career night

GROWTH AND DATA Celebrating results Quarterly recognition SYE Above and Beyond

QUESTIONS – Suggestions