Making Schools Work

The staffs of VWHS and VWMS are involved in a new comprehensive Continuous Improvement Plan called MAKING SCHOOLS WORK.  A continuous improvement plan is required by the State of Ohio for all high schools.  MAKING SCHOOLS WORK and HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WORK are initiatives that are joined in their goal to prepare students for careers and further education by improving curriculum and instruction in high schools and middle grades.  The purpose is to develop and refine a comprehensive improvement design for high schools and middle grades. More specifically, the initiative aims to prepare middle grades students for the transition into rigorous high school programs of study and to ensure that every high school student completes an upgraded academic core with either an academic or a career concentration.

Making Schools Work was chosen because it is a comprehensive plan that includes many benefits, such as:

• Professional development, including a professional library.
• Financial assistance.
• Technical assistance.
• Based on data provided by our students and teachers.
• Timeline provided to complete tasks.
• Technical Assistance Visit to help set goals.

Each cooperating school is given information based on the 10 Key Practices and chooses which practices to begin implementing.  Teachers decide what areas need work and how to implement changes in that area.  Staff development meetings this year have centered around Making Schools Work.

Participating schools receive site-specific technical assistance and staff development that focuses on raising student achievement by changing what and how teachers teach; aligning and mapping curricula; and expecting all students to complete rigorous core curricula in the middle grades and high school.  Students are assessed in grades eight and 12 using National Assessment of Educational Progress-referenced exams in reading, mathematics and science. Educational Testing Service is MSW’ s partner in this effort.

Assistant Superintendent David Alt is the MSW facilitator.  Site coordinators at the high school are Sharon Clouse, Arlene Hurless, and Mary Ann Reitzel.  Middle school coordinators are Jen Bear and Ginny Jones.  Teamwork is crucial to the Making Schools Work process.  A Joint Leadership team of teachers and administration has worked since last April to implement the Making Schools Work model.