2010-2011
Innovations Zone Grant Application
Mrs. April Haught (Principal)
Ritchie County High School
107 Ritchie School Road
304-869-3526
304-869-3031
Ritchie County High School Innovation Zone Application
B. Applicant Information:
Entity Applying for Innovation Zone Designation
_____X______School
Name of Entity Applying: Ritchie County High School
County: Ritchie
Superintendent: Edward Toman
Principal: April Haught
Number of Professional Personnel: 37
Number of Service Personnel: 6
County Location: RESA V
_125_____Number of students served/affected by the proposed Innovation Zone plan.
_37______Number of teachers involved in the proposed Innovation Zone plan.
_ 5____Number of service personnel involved in the proposed Innovation Zone plan.
C. Narratives for the Innovation Zone Application:
Part A: Creative vision for the project
Because Ritchie County High School’s 5 year strategic plan focuses on student
achievement, RCHS hopes to increase literacy comprehension levels and promote reading by
using enticing and engaging technology tools and strategies along with cultivating the positive,
innovative goal that student literacy success can be rescued beyond the 8th grade level.
“The link between literacy and the dropout rate is staggering. Students in the bottom
quartile of reading achievement are 20 times more likely to drop out than those in the top
quartile. A student’s level of reading achievement in the eighth grade is the single biggest
predictor of his or her ability to complete high school (Scholastic, 2001).”
The International Center for Leadership in Education in its white paper, What we Know
About Adolescent Reading (Daggett and Hasselbring, 2007) cite the following common
exemplary adolescent literacy practices used by the nation’s most successful high schools: 1)
Utilize a shared, conceptual model of reading and literacy; 2) Expand the reading curriculum
to reflect today’s broad text sources including document literacy, technological literacy and
Ritchie County High School
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quantitative literacy; 3)Use proven, research-based instructional technology tools based on
sound pedagogy; 4)Help all teachers in all subjects assist their students to become
competent readers; 5)Establish a School or District-wide Literacy Plan; 6)Utilize the Lexile
Framework; 7)Implement research-based intervention programs for struggling readers.
Last year, 12.097% (15 out of 124 students) were retained in the 9th grade as they failed
3 or more courses. The overall retention rate for Ritchie County High School was 3.09%. The
following chart presents trend data of failures for the freshman class in the area of
Reading/English Language Arts:
Time Period
Freshman Class of 2008
1st Semester
Freshman Class of 2008
2nd Semester
Freshman Class of 2009
1st Semester
Freshman Class of 2009
2nd Semester
Freshman Class of 2010
1st Semester
Freshman Class of 2010
2nd Semester
Number of Students
62
Number of Failures
6
Percentage of Failures
9.7%
66
3
4.5%
57
3
5.3%
70
9
12.9%
52
3
5.8%
94
10
10.6%
9th Graders Reading/Language Arts Course Failures
Correspondingly, our percentage of 9th grade students who have failed social studies
courses is increasing dramatically. Our students are aware of the reading skills needed to
succeed in Social Studies courses and have expressed the concern for opportunities to enhance
their literacy comprehension.
Time Period
Freshman Class of 2008
1st Semester
Freshman Class of 2008
2nd Semester
Freshman Class of 2009
1st Semester
Freshman Class of 2009
2nd Semester
Freshman Class of 2010
1st Semester
Freshman Class of 2010
2nd Semester
Number of Students
54
Number of Failures
9
Percentage of Failures
16.7%
79
11
13.9%
65
21
32.3%
68
12
17.6%
86
14
16.3%
66
18
27.3%
9th Grade Social Studies Course Failures
Ritchie County High School
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WESTEST2 statistics indicate that only
35.92 percent of the current 9th grade students
were proficient in Reading/Language Arts
Decrease in Graduation Rate
95
90
85
80
75
(current Class of 2014 as 8th graders). Last year,
only 28.78% were proficient (current Class of
Class Class Class Class
of
of
of
of
2007 2008 2009 2010
% of
Graduates
2013 as 9th graders). Our graduation rate is also decreasing. We have shown an approximate 7%
decrease in the graduation rate in a four year period as indicated in the above chart.
Similarly, our dropout rate is steadily increasing:
Class of 2005
1.9%
Class of 2006
1.7%
Class of 2007
1.9%
Class of 2008
3.2%
Class of 2009
3.6%
Recent MAP benchmark assessment (NWEA) scores indicate that 48.45% of our
present 9th graders are reading below level. All of the above data indicates that sizeable
populations of students entering Ritchie County High School are identified as at-risk students
and are in need of reading strategies to reach academic success.
The committee formed to organize and drive this grant will consist of school and county
administrators, teachers, and student leaders along with our elementary reading specialists. A
grant coordinator will be assigned the responsibility to oversee and lead the direction of the
overall project goals. The team will meet regularly to design, execute, and monitor the
implementation of the Innovation Zone and RCHS’s action plan, outlining goals, objectives, and
activities set by the school to improve student outcomes. Regular time to collaborate and for
staff development will be provided for all teachers within the instructional day if possible. For
example, our building supervisors are designating a “Tech Thursday” schedule lead by our
county’s TIS to provide training on technology strategies. Stipends will be provided for sessions
that cannot be scheduled during the school day.
Ritchie County High School
Page 3
Part B: Goals and objectives for the project




Decrease failures in 9th grade Reading/Language Arts and Social Studies by 35%
Increase the graduation rate by 3%
Increase MAP individual students test results in increments of 5 points
Increase WESTEST scores by 10% to ensure reading proficiency
 Goals and objectives are based on the freshmen focus group and
following years
Part C. Activities necessary to implement and achieve the goals/objectives of the innovation
initiative
Activities
Staff Development
Invest in Reading
Software/Program
Design/Evaluate
Courses
On-site visits
Simulate Pilot
Program
Scheduling/PrepTime
How activities
will solve the
stated problem
Changed,
sustainable
mindset
Flexibility
Prepare staff for
implementation
Reading levels
and attitudes can
be changed at the
high school level
School cultural
change – not
“another
educational
initiative”
Change in current
curriculum and
teaching strategies
Incorporate state
of the art
software proven
to raise literacy
levels
Identify specific
concerns and
evaluate ways to
address those
within new
course offerings
Observe
researched-based
software utilized
in schools that
have seen an
increase in
literacy levels
Provides
guidance and
direction for
teachers and
students
Based on current
assessment
scores, RCHS
will offer
opportunities for
students to
increase in
literacy levels
Literacy
comprehension
can increase with
the use of
technology
New school
curriculum
Teachers use
innovative methods
of teaching coupled
with traditional
methods
Allows
administrators and
teachers to develop
courses that target
literacy
comprehension
Teachers gain
insight at
national/statewide
levels
Ritchie County High School
Fund off-campus
visits to different
districts in/out-ofstate school
Pioneering ideas
that effectively
change teacher
instruction
Tolerance for room
of inventive
instruction
Concentration on
literacy
Focus on reading
Change in
current
operation
Impact on student
achievement
Frequent staff
development –
teachers commit
time during plan
every Thursday
for “Tech
Thursday” &
after-school
once per month
to meet a group;
Teachers use
online tools for
instruction
Better prepare staff to focus on
individual student needs
New school
courses,
classroom
agendas, and
standards
Course design and evaluation
will target areas of weakness
and focus will be directed to
increase comprehension
Off-campus onsite visit
additions
Teachers gain cultural
understanding to share with
student literacy development
Permission to
change
curriculum and
state
requirements
Students will
take reading 1st
semester and
ENG & SS 2nd
Semester
Allocates time to intensify
reading skills
Students will have accessible
and multiple resources and
they will obtain instant results
Higher rate of passing Eng 9
and History
Page 4
Activities
Data Collection
Order Supplies
Inform
Parents/Students of
individual student
performance for
reading
How activities
will solve the
stated problem
Changed,
sustainable
mindset
Flexibility
Change in
current
operation
Impact on student
achievement
Identify at-risk
students and
know their
reading levels
Teachers will be
provided with the
necessary tools
Data used to
schedule students
Schedule
consultation with
student/parent
Placement in courses that
provide intensive literacy
instruction
Teacher/student
resources
Data analyzed
for literacy
specific
purposes
Funding
methods
Lack of funding
Parents will be
notified and
involved in the
process
Students will be
required to take
reading course if
under
achievement mark
as measured by
WESTEST2
scores and MAP
benchmark exams
School/Parent
relationship in
student learning
Requiring
students to take
a reading course
Rigorous reading standards and
concentration
Students will be provided with
the necessary tools
Project Evaluation
The project evaluation will consist of statistical data, surveys, artifacts, and interviews.
Following the initiation of the required reading course(s), we plan to decrease failures by 35% in
both Reading/Language Arts and Social Studies courses in the freshman class during the first
year. Through the scores projected by the MAP test, students will be able to self-evaluate and
see immediate results. Furthermore, we want to evaluate the effectiveness of the courses from
both the teacher and student perspective by regularly conducting surveys. The data mined from
these results will help us shape and develop the course. Another component of the evaluation
process is “Tech Thursdays,” which will be part of staff development sessions. Each “Tech
Thursday” will include a feedback component at which time teachers will reflect on
effectiveness and communicate needs to enhance instruction. At the completion of the 1st
semester, all of the data will be tabulated and presented in writing to all stakeholders.
Scalability and Sustainability:
Our goal is to effectively impact student achievement in Ritchie County by increasing
student literacy levels. Student achievement is measured by a variety of components such as, but
not limited to, graduation, classroom success, and reading proficiency. We want to develop a
template that can translate to any school in the state of West Virginia. By adding an additional
Ritchie County High School
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required course(s) that focuses on raising reading levels of identified students and implementing
reading strategies into all courses at the high school, we hope to challenge the widely held belief
that students’ reading skills cannot be improved after 8th grade.
Ritchie County administrators, teachers, stakeholders, and coordinators will continue to
collect and analyze data for upcoming freshmen. Through sustained parent/student involvement,
the scheduling process will allow us continue to target areas of literacy weakness and focus on
student achievement. The commitment of the school community in addition to staff development
will help us direct our vision stated in the 5 year strategic plan. Ritchie County feels confident
that the proposal will sustain itself once the students begin to show success. When looking at our
current allocations of funds that are being used to re-educate failures and provide alterative
learning placements, the expense can then be redirected to this preventive program.
Abstract
RCHS plans to develop and implement a project that focuses on strengthening literacy
instruction will occur in the spring 2011 at which time stakeholders will examine assessment
results from WESTEST2, MAP, and benchmarks of each 8th grade students. Upon analyzing
data, students with low proficiency levels in literacy will be required to take a reading course in
the fall before taking the core English and Social Studies class. Ritchie County proposes to waive
seat time minutes in order to gain flexibility to put in place an intensified course and extend the
intensified elements of reading in other courses to raise reading proficiency.
Budget Justification
Since planning is so critical to the success and sustainability of the Innovation Zone
Grant, the committee at Ritchie County High School is requesting the amount of $48,465 to be
used in the areas of release time, resources, stipends, supplies, travel expenses, and staff
Ritchie County High School
Page 6
development presenters. Stipends will pay for the time committee members and others work on
finalizing and evaluating the plan, studying the data, and sharing/receiving knowledge. Release
time will allow the teachers to examine and evaluate the available software and reading
programs, receive training on the chosen materials, and visit 2 high schools that are currently
using the curriculum materials. Through release time teachers analyze students’ individual data
from MAP benchmarks, conference with the student and parent, and schedule the student into
the appropriate courses. Special Education teachers will also need time to rewrite IEPs as well
as assist with scheduling concerns for their caseloads. The Project Coordinator will organize
the weekly and monthly staff development sessions, collect artifacts and data, and communicate
findings with the administration and RCHS teachers. Computers will assist the lead teachers
and Project Coordinator in evaluating software and other resources, communicating with one
another and administration personnel, preparing surveys, analyzing individual student data, and
preparing notices and reminders of meetings and events. The purchase of sample software and
technology tools will also us to evaluate the products as we use them and allow us to then gather
information to make a decision concerning their effectiveness in our school.
Budget Item
Narrative Description of Item
Release time
Substitutes for 5 lead teachers for
2 days to investigate various
reading programs/software to
determine one best to fit our needs
Substitutes for 5 lead teachers of
training on the software programs
for 2 days
Substitutes for 5 Special
Education teachers to schedule
courses and training for 3 days
Substitutes for curriculum team –
7 teachers, 1 counselor, 1
administrator for scheduling
students and conference sessions
with parents – 3 days
Cost to NWEA to provide 3
benchmark tests for 124 Freshmen
and 73 Special Education Students
Stipends for 35 teachers, 1
counselor, and 1 administrator to
investigate, evaluate, and design
Release time
Release time
Release time
Cost of Benchmark testing
Stipends
Ritchie County High School
Proposed Amount
Funded by
Others
WVDE
Office Use
Only
5 @ $135 x 2 days =
1350
5@$135 x 2 days =
$1350
5 @ $135 x 3
days = 2025
9 @ $135 x 3 days
=$3645
200 students
@ $11
=$2200
37 personnel @$50 x
10 meetings=$18,500
Page 7
2 Site Visits: release time for
5 teachers, and 1
administrator to visit sites
using Reading software and
curriculum materials to
examine for courses
Reading
Specialist/Coordinator
Purchase 6 notebooks/I-pads
for 5 lead teachers & project
coordinator
Reading/software purchase
for Pilot Reading Rescue
Course & curriculum
materials for reading
strategies in all core courses
the Reading Rescue classes ($50
per meeting after school) once per
month
Substitutes 6 @ $135/day X 2 days
=$1620
Travel, food, & lodging-$1500
Will plan & implement staff
development sessions for afterschool and those during ”Tech
Thursdays” & keep
administration and counselor
informed or Project progress;
Computers will be used to tabulate
data, analyze software, and
communicate with leadership team
Purchase software/curriculum for
Pilot Reading Rescue course &
materials for staff development
sessions during weekly “Tech
Thursdays” for all teachers
Total
$1620
$1,500 –
County Staff
Development
Funds
$4,000
6 Net books/I-pads @
$500 = $3000
$15,000
$48,465
$30,000 –
grants, STEP
7; Textbook
funds from
Levy;
35,725
Indicate the policies or code that prohibit or constrain the design:
____Specific waiver requested of county policy
_X___Specific waiver requested of WVBOE policy
____Specific waiver requested of WV code/statute
Please record policy or code waiver requests in the following chart:
Innovation
Zone/School
Consortium
State Code Waiver
Request (specify
section and article)
Ritchie County High
School-Carnegie Unit8100 minutes per
course credit rule
345 Instructional
Minutes Daily
Ritchie County High School
State Policy Waiver
Request (specify
section and article)
2510, 5.6.6.b
2510, 7.2.4.c
Impact of the waiver –
What will the waiver
enable the school to do
differently?
Infuse reading into
social studies,
vocational, and science
courses
Flexible use of time
throughout the school
day
Page 8
Ritchie County High School
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Ritchie County High School
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Ritchie County High School
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LSIC AGENDA
December 2, 2010
1. Select officers
President: ___
Vice President:
Secretary: ___
2. Review Code of Conduct ,
How it is carried out:
This year's data:
3. Proposal for Class Recognition
4. Innovations Grant
/
5. School Updates
6. Next Steps
Next scheduled meeting February 14, 2010 8:00am
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle One)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle One)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle one)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle One)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle One)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle One)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle One)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle one)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No
Innovation Zone
Grant(Circle one)
December 9, 2010
Yes
No