Local High School A Case Study You often hear things like this… “Our School is working to improve student outcomes.” What exactly is meant by this? Context – Timeline to “Assuming Command” of LHS • • • • • • • • • • • 14 Jul 14: LHS agrees to seek “feedback” leveraging web-based technology – increased awareness & transparency is desired 14 Sep 14: Specific feedback posted on internet draws concern – former principal quietly placed on notice 5 Jun 15: New facility for LHS construction begins – many in community excited; others frustrated – property taxes increase 13 Jun 16: New facility construction completed – $73,000,000 5 Aug 16: New / additional feedback was posted to Internet 21 Aug 16: New facility officially opened – big ceremony 28 Aug 16: Teachers report for orientation and prep for SY 16-17 1 Sep 16: School Year 16-17 begins – things appear to be fine 31 Dec 16: Former LHS principal resigned, sort of unexpectedly 30 Jan 17: You were quickly hired as the new principal of LHS 17 Feb 17: You meet with Superintendent and receive guidance Superintendent Guidance “It is so good to have you on my team. And I know that you haven’t had a lot of time to settle in, but I really need you and your team to fix LHS. I am not comfortable with some of the recent reports I see online. LHS must become the premiere high school in this county. Heck, it’s the most expensive facility we ever built in Local County -- it’s sort of this school system’s capital ship. You simply need to make sure LHS is moving in the right direction. Again, it’s so great to have you here. Let me know what help you need.” Summary of Meeting with Superintendent • Cost of new facility school has raised stakeholder expectations: – – – – Of teachers’ performance Of students’ test scores and college acceptance rate Of the students’ physical and emotional security Even of the sports teams’ success (based on new stadium and gym) • Assessment of most recently recorded survey results (5 Aug 2016 ) identified behaviors that are not consistent with the current LHS stated vision and beliefs • Superintendent was really wasn’t clear why the former principal resigned • I was hired, in large part, to fix the school environment, or, at least, the perception of it – some pressure is felt to do so quickly. OTHER NOTES Current Mission Statement “Local High School provides all students with the scholastic, technical, social, and life-long learning skills essential for academic, occupational, and personal success as productive citizens.” Current LHS Vision and Beliefs We envision a community where every citizen values and maximizes their own education and commits to supporting the highest quality of learning opportunities for all children, youth and adults. We believe that a quality education of the youth in the Local High School takes the cooperation and support of the entire community. We further believe that: • • • • • • Quality education is our primary business Each student can be successful given time and commitment Education that challenges each individual is for all young adults High levels of teaching and learning will provide the best education possible Schools need to be safe places to teach and learn Success is the building block for further success Most Recent Published Metrics Community Rating How would you rate your experience at this school? (Wed Based Feedback) • • • • • 5 STARS 4 STARS 3 STARS 2 STARS 1 STAR 8 2 2 2 3 Note: These ratings are all that are available. A rating of 5 is best, 1 is worst. Metrics supporting this rating are not known. 2015 Graduation Rates Student Performance • • • • Level 1: student is not performing at grade-level standards Level 2: student is doing grade-level work as defined by the standards but not at the depth or level of rigor to be considered on-track for college success Level 3: student is performing at academic expectations for that grade and is on track to being college ready Level 4: student is performing above expectations and is on-track to being college ready ACT Scores Note: Not all eligible students completed an ACT ACT is a national college admissions exam that includes subject level tests in English, Math, Reading and Science. Students receive scores that range from 1 to 36 on each subject and an overall Composite score. This report provides the average Composite score for the 2015 graduating seniors who took the ACT as sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Approximately 75% of the 2015 graduating class of Kansas seniors have taken the ACT. College Ready – Percent Enrollment The Percent Enrollment graph displays the percentage of high school graduates by building who enrolled in a postsecondary institution, grouped by high school graduation year. College Ready – Percent Retention The Percent Retention graph displays the percentage of high school graduates who enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university within 16 months after graduation and then went on to complete one year’s worth of college credit within two years. Student Feedback Posted September 04, 2014 by a student [Local High] School Graduate of 2013 “This school was awful. I got all good grades, never failed anything, but that didn't matter. I was quiet and polite, but the teachers/staff/principle were horrible. They were rude, made fun of the kids, I was even put down by my math teacher because I didn't do perfect on a test. The teachers would pick favorites, and then put down anyone they didn't like, the same went for the rest of the staff and the principal. And the dress code? Forget about it. If the principal liked you, you could wear anything (including skirts so short your buttcheeks hung out), and if you weren't one of his favorites then you had to wear things below the knee. He's also a homophobe, but that one is obvious. And bullying? That’s not addressed unless the public gets wind of it, then all of a sudden all of the staff suddenly cares. So sad. Overall I feel sorry for any child that has to endure the cruel and bipolar attitudes of the people working at Local High School.” Most Recent Comments Develops grit: Disagree Submitted by a parent · 5 Aug 2016 They might develop persistence and determination for kids to just make it through it and graduate. Develops respect: Strongly disagree Submitted by a parent · 5 Aug 2016 They do not, the staff and teachers are condescending and rude and act as though they are better than everyone. Develops empathy: Disagree Submitted by a parent · 5 Aug 2016 There are some teachers display racism and bigotry as well as sexism to the students. Develops honesty: Disagree Submitted by a parent · 5 Aug 2016 They do nothing to discourage bullying but will encourage it by playing favorites. Instead of teaching being open minded teachers will express racism and bigotry.
