Success Story Building Instructional Excellence Dekaney High School Spring Independent School District, ,

»» 2,700 Students Principal Loyde believes that achieving »» 98% Minority excellence is about creating an environment in which each and every student can »» 67% Economically Disadvantaged succeed. With the help of the International »» 5% Limited English Proficient Center, the school dove into a school transformation process. »» 10% Special Needs

Delic Loyde Principal Challenge “In just three short years, In 2007-08, Dekaney High School was labeled Academically Unacceptable for its Dekaney High School math scores on the state assessment. The overall student passing rate in science has proven that it is a was even worse. school of possibilities – earning TEA Acceptable • Math — 47% status after missing the • target in its inaugural Science — 45% year as well as earning the designation as a School of Promise from the National Education Partners. Our relentless pursuit of excellence can Approach be found everywhere in the school and I am so By implementing a strategic planning process based on the International Center’s proud to be part of it. needs assessment process and Components of School Excellence, Dekaney We are grateful for the jumped to the Academically Acceptable list in just one year. support and guidance of the International Center. Their expertise Components of School Excellence has provided us • Embrace a Common Vision and Goals with the knowledge and framework to • Inform Decisions Through Data Systems continue our pursuit of excellence.” • Empower Leadership Teams to Take Action and Innovate

• Clarify Student Learning Expectations Dekaney’s Leadership Team • Adopt Effective Instructional Practices

• Address Organizational Structures

• Monitor Student Progress/Improve Support Systems • Refine Process on an Ongoing Basis

Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships for ALL Students Process

A Focus on School Culture

The needs assessment revealed that Dekaney needed to focus on improving a number of areas in its school culture to accelerate student performance: • “Dekaney High School truly Consistent expectations serves as a model for other • Clarity of purpose schools trying to change their culture and improve • Coordinated instructional focus learning for ALL students. • Climate of collaboration I am honored to work with the staff and be able to see • Commitment to the success of at-risk students the results of their hard work and dedication first-hand.” Based on this analysis, strategic planning began by establishing priorities, which included:

Rebecca Harrison • Developing staff consensus about the areas of focus for a schoolwide plan. Senior Consultant International Center for • Address academic and social success for all students. New clubs and organizations help Leadership in Education connect students to the school in positive ways. Examples include: Teen Court; Academic Integrity; Kick-Off Mentor Program; and University Interscholastic League Academics, Academic and Decathlon

• Developing a robust system of data collection and analysis to identify priorities and drive decisions.

• Establishing a climate of high expectations and accountability for both educators and students that included clearly defined standards of performance.

• Providing a support/intervention system for students that focused on the elimination of failure.

• Focusing the greatest attention on the delivery of quality instructional experiences for students.

• Creating transition-to-high-school strategies to ensure 9th grade success.

“I am proud of the work and results accomplished Guiding the Process by Dekaney. It clearly shows that change is possible Using the Components of School Excellence, Dekaney began to develop a comprehensive and we must never give implementation plan to guide the school reform process. up on our students. All students deserve a learning Key initiatives: experience that will prepare • them for the world in which Formative assessments were given every three weeks. Data was analyzed by grade they will live and work. level, ethnicity, small learning community, education team, individual teacher, and class Dekaney has made this period. commitment and is focused on improving student • Tiered interventions were developed, monitored, and changed every three weeks based achievement for ALL.” on data and student needs.

Lisa Hathaway • Core subject departments met every two weeks with district-level curriculum specialists Executive Director to address classroom management and instructional strategies. Educational Partnerships • The Dekaney High School Parent Academy is in its second year with a full slate of officers. The school has also established a Parent Center on campus that includes access to technology for parents and the communityA parent involvement plan was developed.

Success Story: Dekaney High School 2 Results

As a result of hard work, clearly defined goals, and a step-by-step action plan, Dekaney High School made a dramatic turnaround.

Grade 11 State Assessment Scores by Subject: 2008-2010

Reading/ Over three years, ELA Social significant gains were Studies

made in all state Math assessments. Proficiency Science

TPM = Texas Projection Measure for TAKS

Year

After one year, Effective Instructional Practices

Dekaney made The Dekaney Redesign Team established a 2009-10 improvement plan using the International significant gains Center’s Learning Criteria to Support 21st Century LearnersTM to focus on four key areas of and became an education. Academically 1. Foundation Learning — 9th Grade Transition Acceptable campus. Math • All 1,200 incoming 9th graders scheduled into a small learning community for freshmen scores in every • Literacy focus with development of common vocabulary and word walls in all classes to student subgroup address state testing vocabulary increased by • Development of an academic intervention pyramid 8-10 percentage • Credit recovery classes offered starting six weeks into the school year points. In science, the increase was • Mandatory tutorials 15-20 percentage • Student Success Center for struggling students points. • Weekly intervention team collaboration sessions

Success Story: Dekaney High School 2 Success Story: Dekaney High School 3 2. Stretch Learning • Freshman Academy ing S Bill Daggett, s t n nt b r r e roa e d d R a tu ly i s e g t ll xt o • e a e r c n o Additional Advanced Placement courses f ng d u h L o E a i s g n

Ray McNulty, r a d e g e e n r rn and grow m b d L n i n lea , e u o to r r t b y e q n u e o e e io tive ild n le o r a t osi beh a n p av r n d v i s iv ai io e a a • l t t r l Credit recovery l e in s a m n and our team t i o a /a t t t k t io i L m m t n r s n l c it i e a i to u s m n d s d h a n u r n i d e ip r n m n d a s s t a i i , n t n I r n n g n e of skilled and e • q Small learning communities t u g n u i o r

e

C

m

o

Learning e n

experienced t F • s Designated special education co-teacher on Criteria consultants each team

L . e s a r n n io e s represent the r n • A+ program E e n g im a d T g r h e he o m t en l o s se t al s • un es e nation’s finest s de at c Additional career and technical education k rpi me c il ns and per u ls s , g su n c lo P h e courses as lif so or education e ci y f t al ar r , em ess s oti nec n o onal, and dership, e n lea m leaders, al Sk lop 3. Learner Engagement ill Deve practitioners and experts • Character Counts! in leading, • New/varied electives to enhance and engage students assisting, • Award-winning fine arts programs managing and • JROTC implementing • Planning sessions with core teachers twice a month to develop rigorous and relevant change at all lesson plans levels of K-12 education. 4. Personal Skill Development

• Advisory period

• Student Success Center

• Student Council

• Community mentors

• Teacher mentors

Dr. Willard R. Daggett Chief Executive Officer

Contact us to discuss how we can assist you:

Raymond J. McNulty Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships for ALL Students President 1587 Route 146 ▪ Rexford, NY 12148

(518) 399-2776 ▪ fax (518) 399-7607

[email protected] ▪ www.LeaderEd.com

Success Story: Dekaney High School 4