Archived Information

© 2003 NCEE 2 What is the America’s Choice School Design? Comprehensive —Includes all elements that affect student learning Research-Based –Only those things that have been shown to work Standards-Based –Student work meeting and progressing toward standards displayed with rubrics and samples –Classroom organized and equipped to support work expected of students Aligned –All the elements fit together and relate to one another

© 2003 NCEE 3 America’s Choice: Engaging and Motivating Students Our Goal: All students graduate high school ready for college without remediation Key Elements: Personalization Moving all students to standard Performance benchmarks Focused options for older students

© 2003 NCEE 4 Lower Division (grades 9/10) and Upper Division (grades 11/12) Teachers and students are organized into smaller learning communities of approximately 400 students to create a more personalized learning environment Within each smaller learning community, teachers work with teams of approximately 100 students and stay with them for two years Class Teachers that act as student advocates are also assigned to students for two years Smaller Learning Communities: Personalization

© 2003 NCEE 5 Moving All Students to Standard Literacy and Math Data tell us that the majority of our students enter high school not up to standard Focus of the Lower Division is core curriculum, with an emphasis on reading and math skills –Ramp Up Literacy course –Foundations of Advanced Mathematics core units

© 2003 NCEE 6 Moving All Students to Standard Ramp-Up Literacy Double-period block for struggling students Reading and Writing Workshop structure –Independent Reading –Read-Aloud/Think-Aloud/Talk-Aloud –Work Period –Closing Large, high interest classroom library Cross-age tutoring Content tied to on-grade level course

© 2003 NCEE 7 Moving All Students to Standard Mathematics Series of units focused on essential math concepts that students need to be successful in more advanced mathematics They are intended to be integrated into the school-adopted curriculum America’s Choice materials emphasize conceptual learning in mathematics In our professional development, trainers model strategies to help teachers engage students in building conceptual understanding

© 2003 NCEE 8 Performance Benchmark: Academic Foundation Certificate 10th grade benchmark signaling student is ready for college High minimum standards in core academic subjects Applied learning portfolio project Performance-based: focus on student work Rite of passage from Lower to Upper Division

© 2003 NCEE 9 Academic Foundation Certificate Requirements Successful Course Completion and Exams/Portfolio Work –Two years of prepatory Math –Two years of College preparatory English –Two years of Laboratory Science –Two years of College preparatory Social Science/History –Two years of elective courses –Applied Learning Portfolio Project

© 2003 NCEE 10 Early Colleges: Focused Options for Older Students Early College: Humanities Early College: Mathematics and Science Early College: Career Academies Community College AA/AS degrees Upper Division includes four Early College models to engage students and help them build on their interests:

© 2003 NCEE 11 Common to the Early Colleges: Adult-Like Environment Organized into focused smaller learning communities Challenging coursework, with opportunities to enroll in college courses Adult-like learning environment Mentors/real-world connections Capstone projects as culminating performance benchmark

© 2003 NCEE 12 Conclusion: Engaging, Motivating and Connecting Students Personalized learning environment with connections to caring adults (smaller learning communities, Class Teacher, mentors) Instructional materials to engage students in learning Rigorous core curriculum with safety-nets Application and demonstration of knowledge –Applied Learning Portfolio Project (10th grade) –Capstone Project (12th grade) Opportunity for focused study in Early Colleges For more information, visit: