WILMINGTON, MA — If Wilmington High Principal Linda Peters gets her way, look for more project-based learning, interdisciplinary teaching, higher “rigor” standards, improved MCAS scores, and more supports for at-risk students at WHS in the coming years.
At its meeting last week, the Wilmington School Committee unanimously approved the Wilmington High School’s 2015-2016 School Improvement Plan.
Peters made a presentation to the committee, outlining her SIX goals for the school year.
Goal #1: With 66% of students scoring Advanced in ELA and 64% scoring Advanced in Math on last year’s MCAS, WHS will attempt to increase 2016’s MCAS results to Advanced in ELA to 70% and Advanced Math to 70%. WHS will also strive to maintain an ELA failing rate of 0% and a Math failing rate of 1% or less.
“We do this, specifically, by meeting with ELA and math teachers to look at the data,” explained Peters. “We’ve gone through ALL the data. We’ve looked at the standards. We’ve identified and targeted specific students that need some interventions.”
Goal #2: As WHS continues to implement the Interdisciplinary Block at the new school, it will: (1) support professional development opportunities for teachers as they adjust pacing and develop engaging and differentiated activities; (2) continue to monitor student achievement and progress; and (3) discuss ideas on how to effectively use the block.
“We have other ideas that we want to continue to work with and have other opportunities we want to offer during the [interdisciplinary block],” said Peters, who is reconvening the schedule committee to develop and implement a plan on improving how the time is used.
Goal #3: WHS will review how curriculum maps, pacing guides, and assessments have been adjusted to the new schedule; determine guidelines for setting high expectations in all classes; set standards for what “rigor” looks like; and make two classroom visits daily and provide targeted constructive feedback to all educators.
“We’re going to continue to identity what we see as rigor in our classroom,” Peters told the committee. “We’ve done a lot of work around this. The [Rigor] Committee will reconvene and write those guidelines together.”
Goal #4: In order to define education at Wilmington High as “21st century,” WHS will develop a 3-year plan in order to: (1) create a program of studies that offers up-to-date courses and programs; (2) incorporate project-based learning practices; and (3) explore the possibility of hybrid taught courses (or “blended learning”).
“We’re developing a 3-year plan to determine what we want a Wilmington High School education to look like,” said Peters. “CTL’s (curriculum team leaders) will help me develop a plan for each department. We also intend to hold a forum for teacher input and a forum for parent input.”
Goal #5: As Wilmington High continues to implement a new schedule, it will: (1) support professional development opportunities for teachers as they adjust pacing and develop engaging and differentiated activities; (2) create a Steering Committee to begin the work of examining interdisciplinary opportunities; and (3) proposed a budget which will support continued work and professional development in interdisciplinary projects, lessons and courses.
“We’re forming a committee to look at different ways to connect content and skills,” announced Peters. “Students have a lot skills that are very similar and common to many different subjects. We’re trying to make those connections so students can use skills from one subject to another.”
Goal #6: To ensure that ALL students are being provided with any and all means of academic support, the WHS Principal will: (1) arrange to meet weekly with assistant principals and guidance counselors to identity students who are academically at risk; (2) arrange a meeting with these students to develop an individualized action plan to address the steps needed to improve academically; (3) monitor the progress of each with an action plan; and (4) propose a budget to fund alternative programs at WHS, like an evening school program for at-risk students and students who have difficultly making it to school during the day.
“We have a lot of things we do inside the classroom, but I do want to provide more opportunities and interventions for [at-risk] students,” said Peters.
Committee Reaction
The School Committee had few questions and comments.
“I love some of the things you were just talking about,” said Chairwoman Peggy Kane told Peters, pointing to the inclusion of students on the various planning committees, the collaboration with other school districts, and the emphasis on interdisciplinary teaching.
Members Ginny Bonish and MJ Byrnes were interested in more information about the school’s existing and proposed evening support for at-risk students.
Watch the discussion, courtesy of Wilmington Community Television, below. The high school improvement plan is discussed from 1:53 to 2:15.
—
—
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook! Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter! Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE! Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com!
Wilmington Apple 