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The New England Network for Personalization and Performance (NETWORK)
Spring 2013
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Introducing THE NETWORK NEWS

Greetings!

Welcome to the NETWORK NEWS a periodically published newsletter intended to share the developments of 13 networked schools across 4 states. This project is funded by a Federal I3 grant that is bringing over 11, 000 students together to create authentic tasks and utilizing common rubrics to measure uncommon assessment tasks, while fostering personalized learning resulting in higher student achievement, as demonstrated by lower dropout rates, higher graduation rates and demonstrable success after high school. 
News and Events
For the Spring!

What's Happening in the The Network

 

 

"Measuring Change in the Network"

 

In the three years since the Network was created, we have seen measurable improvement across the thirteen schools. Network Schools have shown significant growth in relation to comparison schools in both ELA and Math, as documented by state assessments.

 

This chart indicates the average change in the percent of students demonstrating proficiency (or better) between 2010 testing and 2012 testing. While both groups have shown an increase in the number of students reaching proficiency, Network schools have made greater progress.

 

 

 

There are also documented gains within individual NETWORK schools since the project began. Eight of the thirteen have shown increases in the percent of students demonstrating proficiency in ELA, with Pittsfield and Newfound making the largest gains. Eleven of the Network schools showed increases in Math, with Pittsfield again standing out with the largest gains.

 

Center X will continue monitoring and analyzing data, and looking for patterns and trends within Network schools and the comparison schools. Complete data sets and analysis can be found in the Evaluation Reports available from the project evaluators, UCLA Center X.

 

 

Education Week article features Pittsfield Middle High School and the Center for Secondary School Redesign!

 

An article in the April issue of Education Week focused on school redesign efforts.  The article discussed President Obama's request in his fiscal 2014 budget proposal for a $300 million competitive-grant program.  Mr. Joe DiMartino of the Center for Secondary School Redesign is quoted in the article, and he expressed his belief in competency-based learning that uses a variety of assessment instruments.  Pittsfield Middle High School is also featured in the article with two other schools under the heading "A Trio of School Models."  The redesign of Pittsfield Middle High School is discussed and the results of this redesign are clear, "Pittsfield has gone from being among the five lowest-performing high schools in the state to near the top in math, and reading is also improving."  To read the full article click on the link below:

 

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/04/17/28highschool_ep.h32.html?tkn=MMNF0cDxsgmcC2fElgMixgTXM8vcvJnCayjE&cmp=clp-edweek 

 

 

NETWORK Schools' Impact is International!

 

Word about the tremendous work being done to personalize learning for students in NETWORK schools has gone international. For the past two years, several NETWORK schools have been connected with the Flex Time Project, a similar initiative undertaken by The Provincial Government of Alberta, Canada. Wm E. Hay Composite High School is a leader in this group of sixteen Canadian high schools. Principal Norb Baharally and a team of educators from Wm. E. Hay came to New England to visit three NETWORK schools to observe what was possible when seat time was not a requirement for earning credit. Due to the State of New Hampshire's policy eliminating seat time requirements, several schools in the NETWORK have been at the forefront in moving away from seat time toward demonstration of mastery as a requirement for earning course credit.

 

The team from Alberta visited three NETWORK high schools in New Hampshire: Newfound Regional, Laconia and Pittsfield to observe competency based approaches, extraordinary learning opportunities (ELO's), and whole school personalization.

 

Pittsfield High and Wm E. Hay recently participated in an intimate conversation with researchers from the Carnegie Foundation for Teaching. The conversation took place at the conclusion of the National Showcase put on by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) in collaboration with the Center for Secondary School Redesign (CSSR). Both schools have been leaders in their respective networks that are moving towards a performance assessment culture within their schools. The researchers were seeking information on what could be possible if seat time were not a requirement. They were rewarded with very good information on what could be done. Jan Umprey, associate director of publications at NASSP, had this to say about the learning environments at Pittsfield High and Wm E. Hay: "Collaboration and trust have created a culture where everyone is focused on learning and teachers are free to develop interdisciplinary courses or collaborate in other ways." Read more on Jan's blog at NASSP:

http://nasspblogs.org/ignite/2013/03/01/student-centered-not-time-centered-learning/  

 

 

 

A Look at the i3 NETWORK Steering Committee

 

One of the key objectives of the i3 Grant was to establish a Project Steering Committee to oversee the progress of the grant. The committee, which meets on a quarterly basis, is led by Chairman Paul Leather (Deputy Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of education) and is comprised of various stakeholders including representatives from CSSR, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, The Rural School and Community Trust, NEASC, community members, school personnel, and congressional and union members.

 

NETWORK Steering meetings include regular budget updates, status reports on professional development activities including grant evaluation reports and results. In an effort to expand the reach of the Steering Committee across the NETWORK, the committee periodically holds meetings at NETWORK schools where school leaders, teachers and students are invited to participate. The committee is further dedicated to looking at ways to strengthen internal and external communications. Please take a moment to check out our website (http://www.thenewenglandnetwork.net/) and follow the NETWORK on Twitter at The Network @NENPP (https://twitter.com/NENPP).

The next i3 NETWORK Steering Committee Meeting will be held during the upcoming 3rd Annual NETWORK Summer Institute (August 6-8).

 

 

 

 

Network School News

 

I3/CSSR Network CHALLENGE DAY at WEST

 

On January 23rd, 2013 our school participated in, with the assistance and support of the i3/CSSR Network grant, our first Challenge Day. Challenge Day is designed as an opportunity to fundamentally challenge participants to change the reality in their school (from traditional to transformational). The protocols were designed to encourage participants to move toward action, empowering them to have a stake in improving the culture and climate of our school. Data about West was collected and provided, participants watched a film aimed at touching the emotional core as it centered on problems facing teens, and later participants were encouraged to take action to improve their school. The focus was geared toward empowering and motivating them into becoming part of the solution. West focused on drug and alcohol awareness, violence, community empowerment and school improvement targets. In the end, participants were left with a common understanding of voice and choice and almost all of the 80 participants made a personal commitment to advance the cause of embracing and promoting positive change in tackling the issues brought into focus.

 

I3/CSSR Network Teacher Student Workshop at WEST

 

During the early release on February 5th we continued working toward promoting the importance of student voice and choice paired with community empowerment and school improvement. Eight students and 23 teachers worked together with the support of i3/CSSR Network facilitation to explore inquiry based learning and classroom engagement through meaningful instruction. Our students and teachers looked at 3 environmental factors that schools need to achieve student success. At West, the areas highlighted as important were caring relationships, teaching & learning, and making it about the students. Throughout the workshop, students paired with a teacher team explored the factors for success and need for communication. All of the feedback was positive as each group, students and teachers alike, walked away with a shared understanding and new perspective on how to achieve success.

 

 

I3/CSSR Network Student Role Clarity Workshop at WEST

 

On March 12th, the i3/CSSR Network brought in Bill Bryan to help facilitate a workshop that focused promoting leadership and morale through role clarity. A dozen students along with teachers, parents, and an administrator worked together to develop a job description of sorts to serve as a platform of understanding for our West High Students. This is a detailed description complete with contact circles, process maps, success measures, smart goals etc. In creating this model together, key stakeholders felt as though this workshop laid the foundation and provided our students with a sound understanding of what is necessary to be a successful student in all respects at Manchester High School West and what path and supports they will need to make it happen. On April 4th, Bill will return and facilitate a workshop with all our teachers who will participate in a series of focused activities that will serve as the groundwork for developing a similar description for our teachers.

 

 

Pittsfield Middle High School News

 

We at Pittsfield Middle High School will be engaging in our second Exhibition Night on May 30 from 6-8pm. All students in grades 7 through 12 will be presenting a project of their choice to a vast audience including the PMHS school community as well as the broader community. Students have been working on various authentic assessments projects throughout the year and are excited to be able to present their learning on this night. Exhibitions have been introduced to our students through the work of the I-3 Team as a way for us to move our school towards student-centered learning. Through the performance-based assessments that the faculty have developed, with assistance by the I-3 Team, we are increasing student engagement, creating meaningful and relevant learning opportunities for our students, and allowing students the voice and choice in the way they demonstrate their learning.

Last year was a great success and we look forward to exhibiting even more incredible student work. Students and teachers alike are proud of the growth we have made in our student-centered efforts and wish to invite you to share in our celebration of learning.  

 

 

 

SENIOR PROJECT EXPERIENCE

KEARSARGE REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, NH

 

 

At the Network's Steering Committee meeting of March 13, 2013, two seniors from Kearsarge Regional High School made formal presentations. During the individual presentations, each student discussed his/her individual projects, the work entailed in developing the project, and the many challenges each encountered. Following the individual presentations, they responded to a number of questions related to their work and principal Jim Daley concluded the presentation with a brief history of the development of the required Senior Project.

 

This is year one of the Senior Project which is a graduation requirement for all seniors. During the Summer 2012 a planning committee of professional staff developed the program which will be reviewed/revised prior to the commencement of the 2013-14 school year. Each student was able to select his/her individual topic and was required to select a mentor who is not affiliated with the high school for the project. Students are required to maintain nine journal entries which are reviewed by the Senior Project teacher in preparation for the formal presentation/exhibition later this Spring. Both of the students stated they enjoyed the opportunity to work independently and valued the experience. Prior to graduation the school plans to seek feedback from all of the students involved in the project. The professional staff is monitoring closely the progress made by each senior as graduation approaches. It is anticipated that some changes will be made to the project which may include a required number of hours spent with the mentor and the involvement of the mentor in assessing the student's final project. Additional time may be spent with the professional staff with whom each student is working. 

 

 

 

NETWORK NEWS Update from Kearsarge Regional High School April, 2013

 

            Participation within the NETWORK continues to support changes to and growth of many aspects of Kearsarge Regional High School. During the month of April Kearsarge had two particular performance assessments come to completion for fifty percent of the KRHS student population. On April 17th - 18th, Kearsarge held its fifth annual World Tour, and throughout the first two weeks of April every senior at Kearsarge Regional High School presented their Senior Project to their peers, KRHS faculty, and members of the community.

            The World Tour is an interdisciplinary performance assessment for all ninth grade students at Kearsarge. The assessment is broken up into three phases. Phase I consists of conducting research and analyzing information about a student's assigned country. Phase II consists of student generated oral and written responses to questions students select from the core disciplines. Phase II also includes students presenting and defending their World Tour displays that are shared through World Tour day and night, during which the public and all Kearsarge students view and discuss student projects. Phase III is participation in a Mock United Nations session for which students have written position papers and are faced with creating a resolution to a world crisis. The 2013 Kearsarge Mock United Nations faced the development of a worldwide flu pandemic.

            The 2012-2013 school year brought the introduction of Senior Projects to Kearsarge Regional High School. With the introduction of the Senior Project as non-credit bearing graduation requirement, the KRHS Class of 2013 rose to the occasion and created a some very powerful, interesting, and unique projects. Seniors were required to find a mentor for their project, develop an essential question, conduct research, and then present their findings and learning to the Kearsarge Community. All Seniors were paired with a Senior Project advisor within the high school faculty and shared periodic journal entries through the use of Google Drive. Once projects were completed, Seniors either signed up to present during classes throughout all disciplines or conducted school wide presentations during advisory periods. Some projects included: researching and developing fundraising for the Wounded Warriors Project, writing and producing an original music album, researching and learning the art of glass blowing, restoring a farm tractor to working order, planning and building an observation tower on local conservation land, and working to rehabilitate an injured horse.

            The class of 2013 demonstrated great flexibility throughout the year, as with any change to a school there were bumps along the way.  Kearsarge will be looking to integrate student feedback, along with the helpful advice that KRHS received while hosting its PAR Board visit, into the Senior Project for the class of 2014. The Kearsarge community is excited about providing a meaningful and personalized final assessment of students before graduating from Kearsarge Regional High School, and anticipates many more innovative projects from the class of 2014.

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Sincerely,
 

The Network Leadership Team


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