Making Schools Work

THE TEN KEY PRACTICES

Comprehensive Design with Aligned Components: HSTW key practices and goals align with all aspects of comprehensive programs in the following manner:

·         Curriculum (HSTW Key Practices #1, #2 and #4)

·         The centerpiece of HSTW is a curriculum that blends essential content of college-preparatory mathematics, science, language arts and social studies courses with modern career/technical studies in grades nine through 12. The SREB-recommended curriculum includes:

·         Four credits in English courses with content and performance standards of college-preparatory English.

·         Four credits in mathematics courses with content and performance standards of college-preparatory Algebra I, geometry and Algebra II.

·         Three science courses, including two credits in courses with content and performance standards of college-preparatory biology, chemistry, physics or applied physics.

·         Three social studies courses with content and performance standards of college-preparatory courses.

·         At least four courses in an academic or a career/technical (CT) major

·         A technology course covering word processing, database, spreadsheets, presentation software and use of the Internet and e-mail.

·         Instruction (HSTW Key Practices #3, #6 and #7)

·         Key Practice #3: Increasing access to academic studies that are taught through functional and applied strategies.

·         Key Practice #6: Getting teachers to work together to integrate instruction.

·         Key Practice #7: Actively engage students in learning.

·         Assessment (HSTW Key Practice #10)

·         Using student assessment and program evaluation data to improve continuously the school climate, organization, management, curricula and instruction to advance student learning.

·         Members of the HSTW network participate in the HSTW Assessment every other year. The assessment includes the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) based reading, mathematics and science tests, student and faculty surveys and a transcript analysis.

·         Professional Development (HSTW Key Conditions)

·         A system superintendent and board members who support school administrators and teacher in carrying out the key practices. This commitment includes financial support for instructional materials, time for teachers to meet and plan together, and six to eight days per year of staff development on using the key practices to improve learning.

·         Parental Involvement (HSTW Key Practice #8)

·         Involving each student and his parents in a guidance/advising system that ensures completion of an accelerated program of study with an in-depth academic or CT major.

·         School Management (HSTW Key Condition)

·         An organizational structure and process ensuring continuous involvement by school administrators and teachers in planning strategies to achieve the key practices.

Professional Development: Administrators and teachers participate annually in a minimum of four days of staff development focused on topics determined by analysis of technical assistance (TA) visit data and assessment data. In addition, staff members participate in the HSTW National Summer Conference and leaders participate in the annual Local Leaders Retreat. Schools may also send participants to national workshops offered by SREB.

Measurable Goals and Benchmarks: Schools develop measurable goals and benchmarks using the Benchmarks for New and Maturing Sites. This document uses actions from the 10 key practices and becomes an integral part of the school improvement plan. Schools receive a TA visit to determine areas of most need and establish goals in each of these areas. In addition, the HSTW network has established achievement goals for students participating in the NAEP linked testing in the areas of reading, mathematics and science. Schools strive to have more students achieve at these goals.