Another good article

Let's see what we can learn from this article and share with one another.

The introduction ...

Creating a Safe Learning Environment

Amy Buffenbarger of NEA's Priority Schools Campaign, on behalf of Belmont High School, Dayton, Ohio

Story posted June 13, 2011

RESULTS

• In the 2010 - 2011 school year, 84% of freshman moved on to their sophomore year (compared to 30% in 2008 - 2009 and 63% in 2009 - 2010)

Also, compared to the 2008-2009 school year:

• The number of fights decreased from 143 to 17, an 89 percent reduction
• Assaults decreased from 83 to 10, an 88 percent reduction
• Arrests decreased from 58 to 1, a 99 percent reduction

Belmont was a school run by the students. They skipped class and roamed the halls in the hundreds. Fights were a near daily occurrence. Police cars regularly parked outside. An emergency alarm sat next to the cash registers in the cafeteria to sound when students tried to steal the lunch money. Teachers feared for their safety and stayed in classrooms behind locked doors, desperately trying to teach while ignoring the distractions outside.

Read the complete article and reflect. 

Go to http://www.learningfirst.org/creating-safe-learning-environment

Read and reflect on the accomplishments of this school as they overcome some of the difficulties that are very real and similar to many schools.

Glencliff High: Success through Partnerships

Story posted June 22, 2011
Results
Between 2007-08 and 2010-2011, Glencliff has had an:

• Increase in graduation rate - 66.4% to 81.2%
• Increase in student enrollment in Honors and/or AP courses - 20% to 33.3%
• Increase in student performance on writing assessment - 58% to 93% scored proficient or advanced
• Increase in students receiving Dual Enrollment credit with a community college +12%

Four years ago Glencliff High School in Nashville, TN rewrote their vision statement in order to create a profound change in the culture of the school. The first sentence reads, “Our vision is to make Glencliff High School a truly comprehensive place of learning and the central focus of the community.” Glencliff strives every day to bring that vision to reality, and has been successful in many ways.

a section of the artilce ..
Aligning Curriculum and Instruction with the Supports Students Need
When Glencliff began implementing the community school strategy, the school was faced with multiple challenges; low 9th grade promotion rates, attendance, discipline, and school climate problems, inadequate academic performance and lack of relevance in the curriculum for students. To combat this, Glencliff created multiple arenas of community participation and programming that are available during the day, evening, and weekends. They formed partnerships with community-based organizations (CBO’s) that provide programs for students during the school day. Many of these opportunities are based in the classroom and have an intentional focus on instruction and curriculum.
The high school instructional reform initiative focuses on Career Academies, which are aligned with the philosophy of community schools. Each academy (Engineering, Health, Business, Hospitality and Marketing, and Freshman Academy) has partners that engage the students and teachers in meaningful ways. Business partners offer opportunities to experience the world of work. Youth development partners offer clubs and organizations that specialize in leadership, service, and arts programs. In the afternoon there is an alternative academic setting for students who do not at- tend during the day, or who need remediation, enrichment, or ELL support. University partners arrive after the regular dismissal and work with these students, who are the most at-risk on their dual enrollment courses.
Four years ago when the school was experiencing high levels of gang activity and high levels of discipline incidents, Glencliff implemented an advisory period, which is a 30 minute homeroom that meets at 7 am every day. Students stay with their advisor and advisees throughout their four years in high school, and advisory has become an important way for students to connect with an adult and for adults to become advocates for their advisees. The advisory curriculum provides whole child support and addresses issues of conflict resolution, communication skills, study skills, time management, career exploration, and more.

For full story  go to  http://www.learningfirst.org/glencliff-high-success-through-partnerships

An article that can motivate us to go forward

http://www.learningfirst.org/world-achievement

Teachers, Please give your ideas and comments especially  the relevance to MGSKL.

For educators

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LDP pada 16 Julai 2011

The LDP on the 16 July was carried out successfully although there were the usual hiccup surfing the Internet taking more time than usual. The teachers have learnt how to upload P-P materials on the blogsite and I hope teachers will make an effort to upload as much as possible so that there will be materials to share among the teachers. I hope too teachers can upload lessons for students to do on the blogsite so that students can learn during their own time.

The talk on effective lesson presentation was both enjoyable and informative. I hope the tips presented will be carried out for effective teaching in class.