| In the spring of 2005, Chico High and PV High applied together for a new Smaller Learning Communities grant, to extend the work begun at Chico High to a districtwide level. In July, we learned that we were one of 58 districts in the United State awarded an SLC grant, in the amount of $1,725,000 over a five-year period. (Read an abstract of our grant.)
The overall goal of the SLC program is achievement: to increase academic achievement of all students. (This includes maintaining and increasing the rigorous opportunities we offer advanced students, and providing interventions and supports to help struggling students “catch up” to grade level in reading and math).
The approach to attaining that goal is personalization: we are trying to connect all students to one or more adults at the school in a meaningful way. This includes structures (such as Art Studio, West, Ag Barn, CAD+, ACT, ACE-LIFE, iHost and Visions) and strategies (such as mentoring, advisory, freshman transition, best practice in instruction in formative assessment and literacy and professional learning communities).
One of the chief ways we will measure whether we have achieved our goal is through a comprehensive and balanced assessment system. This includes making more systematic use of a variety of assessments to give immediate feedback to students and teachers, and help shape classroom instruction in the present year rather than for the following year (e.g., reteaching a concept to a class where necessary, or referring a student for academic support).We have appreciated the assistance of Education for the Future in the ongoing development of school data profiles that enable us to reflect on demographic, perceptual, school process and student learning data to evaluate our progress, plan for continual improvement and make implementations consistent with the plan.
Eric Nilsson is directing the program at both sites. For more information about this new SLC initiative, please contact Eric by email or by phone at Chico High (530-891-3026 ext. 403) or PV High (530-879-5287). | |
