1. Ohio HSTW/MMGW: The Positive Impact!

2. What is High Schools That Work?  An initiative of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)  The nation’s largest high school improvement initiative  A network of over 1200 schools  32 State HSTW Offices  The middle school component - Making Middle Grades Work  172+ HSTW and MMGW sites in Ohio

3. HSTW and MMGW are:  Frameworks for school improvement  Based on key practices and key conditions  Organized around leadership and focus teams

4. The World Is Flat America is facing a HUGE challenge to retain its competitive edge…  People from around the world will compete for typical “white collar” middle class jobs we are accustomed to  If we educate our students appropriately to meet the new challenge, the future will not be bleak  America is poised to lead the Flat World… The OGT is the floor…Success will be measured by the prosperity of our graduates in college or the workforce

5. ACT Research Results  Research results show that the level of readiness needed to enter workforce training programs and to enter college are comparable.  Level of expectation for students entering jobs offering a wage that can sustain a small family is the same as that needed for college.  All students should be educated to a common expectation that prepares them for college and workforce training programs.  All high school graduates should be guaranteed the opportunity to become ready for college and work.

6. Four recommendations to transform the high school experience: #1: More personalized learning environment #2: Provide all students with the opportunity to take a challenging curriculum that prepares them for success in postsecondary education and the workforce #3: Increase the percentage of students graduating from high school #4: Bridge the gap between high school and postsecondary education

7. So Why Consider HSTW/MMGW when...  We are doing well on the report card indicators.  We are happy with the current reality in our school.  “It ain’t broke, so why fix it!”  We’ve seen initiatives come and go. If we wait long enough this will go away too!

8. Is This Your School? Random Acts of Improvement

9. With HSTW/MMGW: A Framework for Aligning Actions for School Improvement Literacy Numeracy Freshman transition Data-driven decisions Extra help Active engagement 12 Raising expectations Personalization

10. Why Consider HSTW/MMGW ? The mission of HSTW is to maximize academic achievement and career and college readiness for all students

11. HSTW is about:  R igor  R elevance  R elationships

12. R igor  High expectations for all students  Challenging career/technical studies  Academic studies that teach essential concepts of the college prep curriculum  A program of study with an upgraded academic core and a major  A system of extra help and extra time  Data used for continuous improvement

13. R elevance  Work-based learning  Students actively engaged in learning

14. R elationships  Guidance involving students, parents, and teachers in planning for postsecondary education and careers  Teachers working together, within and across curricular areas

15. Key Conditions  Creating a structure that ensures continuous improvement  Strong, effective leadership  Superintendent and school board support

16. MMGW Goals % 8 th graders performing at proficient levels in academic subjects. Student knowledge and skills in core academic subjects Provide opportunities for students to: apply their skills in the fine arts. explore careers. explore technology.

17. Why Focus on the Middle Grades?  No specific HS readiness indicators existed.  There is a false perception that young adolescents cannot deal with challenging work because of puberty.  National data indicates: approximately 40% of students leaving middle school are performing below the basic levels in reading, math, and science.

18. HSTW/MMGW Comparisons HSTW Key Practice  High expectations  Extra help  Rigorous academics  Students actively engaged  Teachers working together MMGW Key Practice  High expectations with extra help/time  Academic core  Students actively engaged  Teachers working together

19. HSTW/MMGW Comparisons HSTW Key Practice  Guidance and advisement  Using data for continuous improvement  Rigorous C-T studies  Work-based learning MMGW Key Practice  All students matter  Parent support  Using data for continuous improvement  Using technology for learning

20. MMGW Key Practices Specific to Middle School  Use of technology for learning  Qualified teachers with in-depth knowledge of their subject area and of teaching strategies to engage and challenge students  Parental support of higher standards for academic performance

21. What’s Working in Ohio? The proof is in the data

22. Comparison of 69 high schools that have participated in HSTW over six Ohio Report Card years FY02 to FY06 Report Card Status O1-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 countpercentcountpercentcountpercentcountpercentcountpercent AE 21 30.4% 13 18.8% 8 11.5% 0 0% 2 02.9% AW 7 10.1% 5 07.2% 7 10.1% 4 05.7% 4 05.8% CI 24 34.7% 17 24.6% 19 27.5% 20 28.9% 10 14.5% EF 11 15.9% 20 28.9% 13 18.8% 23 33.3% 30 43.5% EX 6 08.6% 14 20.2% 22 31.8% 22 31.8% 23 33.3% HSTW Schools 69

23. Improved Student Assessment Data Based on a comparison of the HSTW and MMGW Assessment Results from 2004 to 2006:  70% of MMGW sites improved in math and science  71% of HSTW sites improved in math  66% of HSTW sites improved in 2 out of the 3 content areas (reading, math, science)

24. SREB Recognition of Achievement in Ohio In 2005  4 - HSTW Gold Award Sites In 2006  35 - HSTW High-Implementing Sites  10 - HSTW Gold Award Sites (36 nationally)  1405 Senior Awards of Excellence

25. SREB Recognition of Achievement in Ohio In 2007  4 - MMGW Pacesetter Sites (6 nationally)  6 - HSTW Pacesetter Sites (21 nationally)  8 - HSTW Gold-Improvement Awards ( 19 nationally)

26. Benefits of Participation  Teacher participation is valued.  Resources are available. (On-site Coaching, Workshops, Books)  School improvement is recognized as a continuous process.

27. Benefits of Participation  National comparison data is available. (HSTW/MMGW Assessments)  Best practices are shared among sites.  Technical Assistance Teams provide suggestions for improvement.

28. Ultimately, we will be judged by the fate of our students, particularly the ones who have traditionally not done well in school. We need to ensure that all Ohio students get an excellent education that will give them the opportunity to succeed and lead productive lives. We believe this is possible... Ohio has that will.

29. Interested in Exploring HSTW/MMGW?  Schedule a staff HSTW /MMGW presentation  Visit implementing sites  Participate in HSTW/MMGW professional development opportunities

30. For further information:  Dan Stacy, ODE HSTW Consultant dan.stacy@ode.state.oh.us www.hstwohioregions.org