Ipswich High School

Mission Statement

The mission of Ipswich High School is to provide a student-

centered, collaborative learning environment which motivates each student to acquire the knowledge and

skills necessary to succeed in our technologically rich society

as a responsible citizen.

High School Faculty

“It is not the position in which

you stand but the direction in

which you look.”

Improvement Initiatives: the Pathway

to Student Achievement

Technology

Block Schedule

Curriculum

Climate

Curriculum

History and Philosophy

Restructured the curriculum coordinator position

Embrace teachers as leaders Research and adapt current

best teaching practices Initiate innovative programs

and strategies

Subject Area Committees (SAC)

English Language Arts, Fine Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies

Teacher representatives from each school in the district and an administrative liaison

Purpose of the Subject Area Committees

Align curriculum Analyze MCAS results Utilize data Revise curriculum Improve instruction Research best practices

Professional Development

Commitment to professional development opportunities

Year end curriculum writing In-service Mentor program Summer institutes

Block Scheduling

…change before you have to…….

Rationale

Common Core of Learning Curriculum Frameworks Time on learning Glasser’s learning pyramid Sizer’s “less is more” Daggett’s “rigor and

relevance”

Schedule Modified semester block Directed study Three 87 minute periods per

semester One 45 minute class all year Release time every Thursday

Impact Quality learning time Varied activities Opportunities for multiple

assessment Less stress (students and teachers) Fewer disruptions Greater rapport with students Positive school climate Longer retention of information

Evaluation Self study External review Student and parent surveys Faculty discussion groups Test results

Technology

….you can’t download a vision…..

21st Century Classrooms• Work is different ...• Tools are different ...• Communication is different ...• Information is different ...• Kids are different ...• Learning is different …

And Teaching must be different!

Establishing New Learning Environments

•21st Century Classroom: information-rich, technology-enhanced learning environment

•Constructivist Approach

•Teacher Written Proposals

•Technology as Tool in the Classroom

•Technology Timeline

Professional Development Summer institutes Freshpond Curriculum Design

Teams In-class support Salem State College

partnership/Masters Program Lighthouse Grants Model Technology Grant

Building Design 5 computers in every classroom Laptops for teachers Wireless carts Video Projectors Smart Boards CAD and Digital Imaging Lab Video Editing Graphing Calculators

Support and Staffing Technology Integration

Specialist Connected to all SAC

Network Administrator Technician Students as technology leaders Teacher leaders

Climate

Climate Test preparation

Climate Testing environment

Climate Celebrating success

“…[Ipswich High School] Teachers demonstrate a marked degree of professional respect for each other, for the administration and for the wider school community including the students. It seems important to state that only schools with a cohesive and committed faculty are likely to be successful in adopting the Ipswich culture and to reinforce that it should serve as a model only to those high schools that are demographically similar.” “…Teachers are excited about the difference these initiatives have made to their success and to the quality of their professional lives. They are keen to share with others their experience of implementing and sustaining the new student centered culture…”

Compass School Report, Massachusetts DOEApril 2003