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High SchoolsThat Work 1
Lessons Learned from a Decade of Career Academy Development
Scott Warren
SREB
High SchoolsThat Work 2
Scott Warren Former
Math Teacher and CoachAssistant Principal and PrincipalBand Booster Club President
CurrentDirector of State Initiatives
What I know!Career Academies/Career Pathways create purpose-
driven studentsPurpose driven student put forth more effort!Career Academies put schools ahead of the new
accountability trends
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HSTW Career-Themed AcademiesKey Elements
Semi-autonomous 300 – 500 Students Academic and career pathways in each - multiple
career pathways in broad theme Pathway or pocket academy option BEGINS with business and postsecondary
partners Common planning time for teachers Leader with primary focus on instruction NOT A SORTING MECHANISM
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Additional Elements Solid Academic Core
The math issue
ASES programRigorExtra HelpTransitionSenior Readiness
C4C Program Engaging instruction (PBL, LDC, MDC)
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Where did the lessons come from?
First Career-focused SLC Development – 2004 (NYC, Georgia, SC and Texas)
Set of common issues List adapted over past decade
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SREB Tools for Schools
HSTW Academy Rubric (Excerpt) HSTW Academy Blueprint Scheduling in Academies Counseling for Careers Program Instructional Tools
LDCMDCPBL
Teach 2 Lead
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Before we start!
A school improvement lesson: Most school improvement efforts work when
implemented well.The problem is not with the initiative – it is typically
with the implementationThe advisement example.
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Lesson #1: Start with a Square Dance!
Grab your partnersWorkforce DataBusiness/Industry partnersPostsecondary partners
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Pause and Reflect
Find an elbow partner!
Where are you on this lesson learned?
We’re good?
We need to address it?
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Lesson #2: Go Big or Go Home
All at one time may actually work easierEliminates perceptions of favoritismForces everybody to change so negative attitudes
do not have time to growInvolves allFuture years are spent focusing on quality
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Pause and Reflect
Find an elbow partner!
Where are you on this lesson learned?
We’re good?
We need to address it?
High SchoolsThat Work 12
Lesson #3: Stay on the TRACKS – Train that is!
Dual railsAcademy developmentInstruction
Focus on InstructionLiteracyPBLRigor of Assignments/
Assessments
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Pause and Reflect
Find an elbow partner!
Where are you on this lesson learned?
We’re good?
We need to address it?
High SchoolsThat Work 14
Lesson #4: Turf Battles Will Come
Have a plan Teacher rooms Guidance areas Administrator roles Department heads Special needs
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Key Point Change is like loss – if you change a teacher’s
classroom, they will go through the grief process because they are LOSING something.DenialAngerBargainingDepressionAcceptance
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Lesson #5: Talk is Cheap – But It is Essential
Communicate throughout the process.Academy Leadership Team is keyFrequent updates with answers to “Why?”Remember: Knowledge is power; spread
the power.
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Pause and ReflectLessons 4 and 5
Find an elbow partner!
Where are you on these lesson learned?
We’re good?
We need to address it?
High SchoolsThat Work 18
Lesson #6: Too Many Chefs in the Kitchen
Schools tend to think about the changes for students and teachers, but ignore the changes in leadership.Changing role of the principalInstructional leaders in each academyRole of the assistant principalsRole of guidance counselors
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New Leadership Roles
Academy Lead Teacher Critical to improving achievement/increasing
rigor Part of the school’s overall
leadership team
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Successful Academy Lead Teachers …
Can get other teachers to follow them
Are considered master teachers
Take ordinary students and inspire them to achieve at extraordinary levels
Can facilitate discussions around improving achievement
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Lesson #7: Teaching – the Oldest Profession Done in Isolation
Common planning time is essential to the success.Daily is ideal – don’t let ideal be the enemy of
betterCollaboration by invitation does not work –
Leaders need to establish expectations
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Focus on Improving Instruction
Evolution of Common PlanningStart with products
• Academy Resume• Calendars• Awards ceremonies
Focus shifts to students• Struggling students• Support programs
Get to instruction• Without a focus on instruction, academies
development mirrors shuffling chairs on the Titanic.
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Pause and ReflectLessons 6 and 7
Find an elbow partner!
Where are you on these lesson learned?
We’re good?
We need to address it?
High SchoolsThat Work 24
Lesson #8: I’ll Take the Same as My Girlfriend!
Students will not make good choices about the SLCs unless given strong assistanceInvolve partnersInvolve parentsInvolve teachersUse interest inventories
Process to change
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The Problem Educating parents, teachers and even
counselors on pathways to success.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcNSpKX8kVs
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Pause and Reflect
Find an elbow partner!
Where are you on this lesson learned?
We’re good?
We need to address it?
High SchoolsThat Work 27
Lesson #9: The 9th Grade Challenge
Academically graduate (promote) every 9th Grade studentTeach Habits of SuccessIncrease time for literacy and mathDo not eliminate CT and Fine ArtsLink with middle school teachersAccelerate – don’t remediate
Do not create a new transition
High SchoolsThat Work 28
Pause and Reflect
Find an elbow partner!
Where are you on this lesson learned?
We’re good?
We need to address it?
High SchoolsThat Work 29
Lesson #10: Have a Plan for Special Programs
Develop specific plans to deal with special programs.Foreign languageFine arts (Even if an SLC)Special needs students
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Questions about the Lessons?
Lessons from others?
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Key Point in Addressing the Lessons Learned: Leaders Must Use the Change
Process
Establish a need for change among those who must change
Create a vision for what the change will create Involve faculty in developing a plan for the
change – The Loose/Tight Issue Implement the plan Evaluate progress and make adjustments
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Final Thought
All teachers and all schools want to improve. However, few want to change. The fact remains, that to improve, one must CHANGE.
Thank you
Scott Warren – [email protected]
