Mission Statement: Teach IT, a technology based, charter high school located in Center City Philadelphia, is committed to offering a rigorous, technology- centered curriculum for those students who are interested in careers in IT or other technology fields post high school. We offer a safe, student-centered environment where students are molded into lifelong learners. Co-ops with professionals from technology fields supplement the standard academic courses, along with life skill classes, to help create well rounded and complete high achievers who are prepared to take on the multitude of issues facing the generations of the 21 st Century.

Enrollment Enrollment is open to anyone, but based upon previous academic grades in grade school. Enrollment is open to anyone, but based upon previous academic grades in grade school. City environment – accessible through public transportation for both suburban and urban students. City environment – accessible through public transportation for both suburban and urban students. There is a test for enrollment, must have a certain score or score in a certain percent to be considered. There is a test for enrollment, must have a certain score or score in a certain percent to be considered. Interview is used to see if student is truly interested and displays desired characteristics for a student of Teach IT. Interview is used to see if student is truly interested and displays desired characteristics for a student of Teach IT. –Parent or guardian is interviewed as well. Parents are held at certain expectations to help educate student. Parents are held at certain expectations to help educate student. –Teach IT alone needs parental involvement and support –Parents need to be tech. savvy as well  Teach IT can provide tutorials for parents throughout the year.

Community Served Urban setting located in Center City Urban setting located in Center City –This offers easy access to public transportation. –It also takes advantage of the cities culture.  Historic Philadelphia  Museums –Franklin Institute, Art Museum, Academy of natural Science –Center City is booming with businesses

Non Academic Features After School Activities After School Activities Sports Sports –Various Intramural Sports  Mandatory for all students Online courses Online courses Summer courses offered Summer courses offered Music, culinary, and “life-skill” classes offered. Music, culinary, and “life-skill” classes offered.

Day Schedule School year: Trimesters School year: Trimesters –This will allow for students to take on various courses. Length of the day: 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. Length of the day: 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. –Starting before 9 could impose arrival time difficulties that increase tardiness. –Due to the many areas that the students will be coming from, more time is allotted for the morning arrival.

Distinguished Curriculum/Model Characteristics School uniforms/dress code mandatory School uniforms/dress code mandatory Courses offered in information technology Courses offered in information technology –Networking –Database administration –Web Programming –Application/Software Programming –Systems design –Reporting Tools –Graphic Arts

School Uniforms “All our schools should teach character education. And if it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.”

Arguments Against School Uniforms Infringements on students’ First Amendment rights Infringements on students’ First Amendment rights Administrators overuse school uniforms as a power tool Administrators overuse school uniforms as a power tool Economic hardship for parents Economic hardship for parents Non deterrence of gang activity Non deterrence of gang activity No effect of social differentiation No effect of social differentiation Eliminates warning signs Eliminates warning signs

Benefits of School Uniforms Promotes school safety Promotes school safety Fostering school unity Fostering school unity Reducing social pressures Reducing social pressures Increasing student self-esteem and motivation Increasing student self-esteem and motivation Reducing costs Reducing costs Improving attendance Improving attendance Improving academic achievement Improving academic achievement Reducing distractions Reducing distractions Eliminate competition Eliminate competition

Legal Issues Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) “public school students do not shed their right to free speech at the schoolhouse gate” Kelley v. Johnson (1976) Reversed the notion that hair length regulation could be rejected because of free speech Hazelwood School district v. Kuhlmer (1988) School officials may impose reasonable restrictions on free speech

U.S. Department of Education Recommendations Parental involvement Parental involvement Protect students’ religious expression Protect students’ religious expression Protect students’ other rights of expression Protect students’ other rights of expression Determine whether to have a voluntary or mandatory school uniform Determine whether to have a voluntary or mandatory school uniform When a mandatory policy is adopted, determine whether to have an opt-out provision When a mandatory policy is adopted, determine whether to have an opt-out provision Do not require students to wear a message Do not require students to wear a message Assist families that need financial help Assist families that need financial help Treat school uniforms as part of the overall safety program Treat school uniforms as part of the overall safety program