CommunityInnovation
Encourage educators and policymakers to move outside of existing structures and pursue innovation.
Definition:
Innovation, in many dimensions, is an over-arching recommendation. Districts and schools will need flexibility to try new strategies, including instructional delivery modes, class times and structures, and collaborative relationships among all key stakeholders – students, teachers, parents, business, community and higher education partners – to design and implement changes needed to achieve academic success for all students.
Below: Chetek High School video
(may take several minutes to load)
National High School Center (NHSC) Characteristics:
- include accreditation of teacher education programs, teacher certification and licensure standards and procedures, professional development requirements and opportunities, compensation systems, and local norms and expectations;
- are based on standards for staff development and adult learning and pass quality reviews;
- promote knowledge of adolescent development, varied and effective pedagogy for high school students, and the ability to motivate students and to work with diverse student needs effectively and empathetically;
- increase the abilities of and opportunities for teachers to work together to improve classroom practice and help all students connect information across disciplines and programs, such as Title I, special education, and services for English language learners;
- provide teachers with skills in assessing students and adjusting instruction accordingly;
- are embedded at the school and classroom levels and are connected and offered throughout the school year;
- help teachers develop and build on their classroom and leadership skills and abilities over time and, preferably, in collaboration with other teachers and instructional leaders;
- promote effective classroom management skills.
National High School Center. Eight Elements of High School Improvement. July 2008
Effective practices:
Encourage flexibility to move outside Carnegie units.
Encourage collaboration within the entire education community.
Identify effective, research-based strategies to raise student achievement
Provide professional development
Wisconsin Models of Best Practice:
| Waukesha North High School has implemented a flexible schedule as part of a comprehensive school improvement plan. Three critical features of the schedule include, extended instructional periods, improved collaboration time for teachers, and a daily advisory period. | Waukesha North High School www.waukeshanorth.org |
Barron High School has undergone tremendous transformation in recent years to help reach the mission of the Barron Area School District.” To Ensure All Students Reach Their Dreams While Making A Positive Impact On The World.” New programs include:
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Barron High School www.barron.k12.wi.us |
Milwaukee is engaged in an effort to significantly change the high school options available to students. Supported by funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the small high school effort includes the development and launch of 40 unique small high schools. Alliance School serves students that have experienced bullying and harassment in other schools; Community High School serves students with an interest in community service and social justice; and Marshall Montessori IB offers the first of its kind in the nation, a public high school that combines Montessori with the International Baccalaureate diploma program. Join us to learn about the unique school models and participate in a panel discussion with the school leaders.
Supported the creation of 25 unique, new, small high schools and the implementation of small learning communities in 5 large high schools using the First Things First framework. Two of our new, small high schools scored in the top five on state test scores in November 2007. |
Milwaukee Public Schools
www.milwaukee.k12.wi.us Alliance School |
Resources:
The National High School Center serves as the central source of information and expertise on high school improvement for the Regional Comprehensive Centers (RCCs). The web site includes extensive reports, issue papers, and links to useful resources.
www.betterhighschools.org
