High School Transition Recommendations
RELATIONSHIPS
Philosophy:
"You can't motivate a student you don't know." (Ted Sizer, 1994) As we have seen with the recent high school tragedies where the one connecting factor was the anonymity the student felt that led to violence, we can no longer put off dealing with "knowing every child." With the majority of research available today strongly recommending that smaller schools or houses are better for students, we must act. Every student must be well known by at least one adult. And, finally, students, staff, and parents must treat each other with respect and dignity.
Research Sources:
- Annenburg Institute
- Breaking Ranks: Changing an American Institution. National Association of Secondary Principals. 1996.
- Carnegie Council of Adolescent Development. Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st Century. 1989.
- Coalition of Essential Schools
- Cognitive Coaching
- Critical Friends
- Daniel, Harvey. et al. Rethinking High School. 2001.
- Effective Schools Research-Glickman
- Federal Way School District Secondary School programs
- Marsh, David D. et al. The New American High School. 1999.
- MET Alumni Report 2000-01
- North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/misc/glossary.htm
- One Child at a Time (MET)
- Phi Delta Kappa
- PTA/PTSA, Washington State PTA
- Research and surveys from students, parents, community and staff.
- Visitations to Reynolds, Rex Putnam and River Ridge High Schools.
- Wagner, Tony. Making the Grade. 2002.
- Washington State Legislature
STUDENT TO STAFF RELATIONSHIPS:
Recommendation #R-1: All Federal Way high schools and their feeder middle schools will design and implement an orientation program for ninth graders and new students to assist them academically and socially in the transition into high school.
Recommendation #R-2: All Federal Way high schools will promote an active student voice in governance of the school to support traditions and pride in all programs.
Recommendation #R-3: Each Federal Way high school will offer a broad spectrum of co-curricular activities based on student interest.
STUDENT TO STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS:
Recommendation #R-4: Each Federal Way high school will provide opportunities for upperclassmen to connect with underclassmen in a positive and supportive role. This will include, but not be limited to, a peer-mediation program and collaborative projects to capitalize on student expertise.
Recommendation #R-5: All Federal Way high schools will provide leadership opportunities and training open to all students.
PARENT/STAFF/STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS:
Recommendation #R-6: Advisory for all students will provide support for students and parents in the following areas:
- student's high school academic plan, course expectations and progress
- post-secondary plan
- guidance regarding opportunities for co-curricular programs
- one adult to have on-going communication with the students and their parents through multiple avenues
- student-led conferences
Recommendation #R-7: Each Federal Way high school will provide authentic opportunities for parental involvement.
STAFF TO STAFF RELATIONSHIPS:
Recommendation #R-8:Each Federal Way high school will establish opportunities for structured and unstructured team building activities among staff on a regular and on-going basis.
- As part of its site development plan, each Federal Way high school will use release time for teachers to visit and observe other teachers as they teach.
- Each Federal Way high school will mentor new employees to a building.
Recommendation #R-9: As part of its on-going staff development plan, each Federal Way high school will create opportunities to work in cooperative teams and learn with peers within and across disciplines and buildings.
SCHOOL TO COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS:
Recommendation #R-10: Each Federal Way high school will support voluntary community service opportunities for students to make schools an integral part of the community.
Recommendation #R-11: All Federal Way high schools will establish partnerships with the business communities to create job shadowing, mentorship and internship opportunities.
SCHOOL TO ALUMNI RELATIONSHIPS:
Recommendation #R-12: Each Federal Way high school will use alumni to provide data for on-going program improvement and assistance while providing information for networking, newsletters, awards, and mentoring opportunities for alumni.
District Support: (continuation from Instruction)
The High School Transition Team charges the District with providing support for the preceding recommendations by implementing the following:
Recommendation #DS-8:The Federal Way School District will strive to hire, retain, and support qualified staff which reflects the cultural diversity of the student population.
Recommendation #DS-9: The Federal Way School District will support building staff by:
- publishing a yearly district calendar of all academic and assessment events
- sharing a matrix of community resources and which building is partnering with which resource
- coordinating curriculum to facilitate flow and subject level continuity
Recommendation #DS-10: The Federal Way School District Board of Directors and the Federal Way School District staff will provide building staffs support by:
- being visible in buildings to promote a positive professional communication
- being a resource in classrooms to students and staff
- providing shared and equal access to facilities and resources