Secondary Schools Task Force
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
4:00
– 7:00 p.m.
Dana gave overview of this evening’s meeting:
a. February and March Meetings: high schools to come forward with their plans (what are they going to do for implementation for this coming September) and to get reactions and feedback. With spotlight more on PHS and DHS.
b. December homework assignment.
c. Ken Kunin and Mike Johnson will present additional data: DHS will look at completion rate and PHS drop out data.
d. Consultancy models were set up during dinner where administrators will collect questions/feedback from members of the task force.
e. February meeting needs – “as you think about the February meeting while schools are presenting their plans – what other information might you need to provide feedback to principals in February.
II. State of the District
a. Why are really here? Responding to national research on high school reform with focus on what will occur at DHS and PHS.
b. Last night was the first of 3 community meetings at New East End School. Portland Public Schools’ first elementary school of choice. Expeditionary Learning is the focus. Seventy-five parents showed, which was more than anticipated. Interest in doing school differently.
c. Mary Jo has been meeting with groups of parents to discuss how to market Portland. For instance, parents indicated that when families move and ask realtors where there is a good school system, Portland is never mentioned. Mary Jo wants to know why Portland is not looked at as a “good school system.”
d. Budget
i. The budget process going on this time of year. Through essential programs and services, Portland has been cited to receive $1.5 – $2 million this year. What is known in this district is that the student population continues to decline.
ii. There is movement coming from the City that money can be taken from any school system to be used to offset property taxes in cities that are not increasing their property taxes.
iii. The district will put aside a small amount of money to support work going on at the high schools. Money will also be set aside to buy new student information system (Powerschool). Some priorities: 1) ELL population – need to look at programs. Current studies show students are exited too soon (especially those with special needs); 2) New rule under IDEA. Cities where private schools are housed are responsible for cost of those schools’ students (as opposed to sending town/city being responsible for funding).
Secondary Schools Task Force Page Two January
10, 2006
III. Homework Assignment from December Meeting
Task Force broke into four small groups. Each group will have a facilitator. Using text-based protocol. When discussing looking for understanding of the reading. Each person needs chance to speak.
Discussion:
Group A. Different approach of schools: Have four different academics: ELOB
(expeditionary learning and outward bound); PATHS (math), DHS (science); PHS
(literary and humanities). Students can follow their passions through a choice in a
school. For example, at PHS a particular behavior student was found to have a passion for writing.
Why can’t all students have choice of high school to follow their passion?
PPS already has PATHS and ELOB. Does not coincide with smaller learning
communities, but could look at dividing DHS and PHS.
The choice may be detrimental for those students who have not identified their
passions.
Group B. Finding opportunities for people to find common ground.
Group C. Importance of work being done at high schools – but having clarity of
purpose. As we go forward with school reform, ex. 1+1-1. Continue to add but
do not give anything up.
In the area of arts – opportunity for students community and parents are always given the chance to show their work. Could this be so for classes such as history.
IV. Looking at Data
Task force members broke into two groups; one group listened to PHS, the other group listened to DHS.
The task force broke into four groups. Each group was represented by a high school: ELOB, DHS, PHS, and PATHS. The purpose was for each high school to get feedback to use as part of their February presentations.
a. As the schools roll out their plans, please complete form to indicate your needs. Names are optional.
a. “Ten Do and Don’t Assumptions about Change”
b. “High Schools on a Human Scale” (book) one chapter per person
i. Five models of high schools that are different