New
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February
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Story on SCS-TV
Schenectady High School's
Studio 17 Electronic News Gathering (ENG) class
produced a video on "SHS Restructuring."
Watch video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0ylsedj22s
The story is also airing on SCS-TV
(Channel 17 on Time Warner Cable) now through
January 10 at 12 pm, 6 pm and 11 pm.
|
Over the
course of the next several months, a plan will be developed
to restructure Schenectady High School for the 2010-2011
school year. District administrators are currently
gathering an array of information by studying plans from
other school districts, researching successful programs and
practices and by talking to district parents, staff and
students. A number of focus groups are being held, all
designed to get feedback on many topics and your opinions
about what does need to be changed at your high school.
Schenectady
High School must be restructured because test scores and
graduation rates are low. The New York State Education
Department mandates that schools that do not make Annual
Yearly Progress (commonly referred to as AYP) as required
must make changes and undergo a restructuring process.
Regardless, district leaders do agree that changes need to
be made in order for Schenectady students to be successful.
While district
administrators are discussing a long list of possible
restructuring possibilities, decisions have not been made.
A plan has not been written or presented to the Board of
Education. Right now, school leaders are simply gathering
information and learning more about possibilities.
Targeted
Areas and Timeline
Superintendent
Ely’s goal is to have a restructuring plan in place prior to
budget talks and implemented by the start of the 2010 school
year.
The overall
targeted areas for restructuring include:
-
Special Education
-
program evaluation
-
program re-design
-
School Climate
-
discipline
-
attendance
-
mentoring
-
student involvement
-
freshmen success rate
-
Curriculum and
Instruction
-
Tracking/ability grouping
-
differentiated instruction
-
curriculum mapping
-
Building Organization
-
house
system
-
master
schedule
-
leadership teams
-
alternative instructional delivery approaches
The high
failure and discipline rates of freshmen are sure indicators
that change is necessary. A part of the plan must focus on
freshmen and how Schenectady High School can help them be
more successful in school. Some of the ideas and topics of
discussion regarding freshmen opportunities for change
include:
-
Freshman Academy
This could be developed and set up as a “freshmen
house” to provide opportunities for the newest students
to Schenectady High School. The freshmen would
have an opportunity to get to know the school and learn
more about the other smaller learning communities.
-
Additional Support Services for Freshmen
including
access to social workers and enhanced opportunities for
counseling.
-
Digital
Academy
This could be a center housed at the Career Center
at Steinmetz for freshmen who seek to work collaboratively in a
project based learning experience.
All of these
ideas are currently being researched. Administrators are
studying other models across the country. We would like to
hear your thoughts.
Feedback
Please let us
know what you think. How can we make your school better?
December 16 Meeting
About 40 Schenectady High School parents
attended the parent restructuring focus
group meeting held at Schenectady High
School on December 16. The
conversation addressed many targeted
areas including the high school master
schedule, the house system, freshmen
challenges, tracking and ability
grouping, attendance, school climate and
more. Parents had an opportunity
to share their thoughts regarding all of
these areas as well as some of the ideas
that are on the table like a freshmen
academy, support services for freshmen
and a digital academy. (A question
and answer page will be posted on the
district website soon.)
Paul Scampini stated at the meeting that
decisions regarding the restructuring
have not been determined. A number
of focus groups are being held, all
designed to get feedback from students,
staff members and parents.
Superintendent Ely is also spending some
time at the high school and making
himself available to all teachers and
students who would like to share their
thoughts. |
If you can't make any of the meetings
and have questions, concerns or ideas to share, please
contact Paul Scampini at 370-8162 or email
scampinip@schenectady.k12.ny.us
January 7,
2010
Update on restructuring plan
High School Master Schedule will not
change in 2010-2011
The only change that was originally made
for certain was in regard to scheduling.
However, on January 7,
in response to concerns and feedback,
Superintendent Eric Ely announced that
the modular schedule now in place at
Schenectady High School will not change
as part of the restructuring plan next
year. Ely said the schedule will still
be reviewed and alternatives thoroughly
researched but at this time he wants a
more positive focus on the needs of the
high school and the overall
restructuring plan.
“My desire to change to a schedule that
allows more students to be scheduled
properly is not going to be achieved in
the time frame allowed.” Ely added that
the debate is distracting from the
larger, more critical issues of the plan
which include addressing the freshmen
failure rate, high school attendance
rate, drop out rate and low graduation
rate.
While the schedule change will not take
place immediately, Ely said the issue
will not go away and will have to be
addressed. During year one of the
restructuring plan, a task force will
study the master schedule as well as an
array of schedule options.
“Our focus groups will continue to
welcome ideas for change that will allow
our high school to make necessary
progress,” Ely added. |
