High School Transition Recommendations
STRUCTURE
Structure Philosophy:
"…just simply changing the way we organize our day in high school can improve our schools. The simple reason for this is that changing the schedule releases the time necessary for teachers to build the community relationships necessary for learning to happen." (George Wood. A Time to Learn. 1998) Whatever the structure of the student and staff day, it must be a structure which facilitates the practice of personalized instruction and positive relationships for all members of the school community.
Research Resources:
- Breaking Ranks: Changing An American Institution. National Association of Secondary School Principals, 1996.
- Coalition of Essential Schools.
- "Customizing Our Schools". Education Leadership. April, 2002.
- Daniel, Harvey, et al. Rethinking High School. 2001.
- Holland, Holly & Kelly Mazzoli. The Heart of the High School. 2001.
- Janey, Clifford, "Must High School Last Four Years?" Education Leadership. April, 2002.
- Marsh, David D. et al. The New American High School. 1999.
- Meier, Deborah. The Power of Their Ideas. 1995.
- North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/misc/glossary.htm
- One-on-one interviews with students, parents, community and staff
- "Personalizing High School: NASSP Bulletin. December, 1996.
- School Visitations
- Sizer, Ted & Nancy Faust Sizer. The Students are Watching. Boston, 1999.
- Wagner, Tony. How Schools Change. 1994.
- Wagner, Tony. Making the Grade. 2002.
- Wood, George. A Time To Learn. 1998.
Recommendation #S-1: All Federal Way high schools will provide a pre-certificate of mastery program that is focused on the core subjects of Math, Language Arts, Social Studies, Science, Fine Arts, and Physical Education.
Recommendation #S-2: All Federal Way high schools will provide a post-certificate of mastery program. This must include core subjects that focus on areas of interest and a variety of learning options that allow them to meet the challenges of the post-secondary plan they choose.
Recommendation #S-3:Each Federal Way high school will create a structure to provide students with an opportunity to follow an academic direction which supports their post-secondary plan.
Recommendation #S-4: All Federal Way high schools will have an advisory program in place for all students which is heterogeneously grouped, with the group staying together with the same staff person for all 4 years.
Recommendation #S-5: Each Federal Way high school will institute smaller learning communities system.
Recommendation #S-6: Each Federal Way high school will institute a basic daily schedule with extended day opportunities.
Recommendation #S-7: All Federal Way high schools will be on a semester system, with each teacher seeing between 90-120 students per semester in core classes.
Recommendation #S-8: Each Federal Way high school will meet and redefine its counseling program, especially regarding clerical activities, to allow certificated counselors more time to work with students on academic, personal, and career choices.
Recommendation #S-9: The Federal Way School District will institute a later 'basic school day' start time.