Improving High Schools
A recent study by ACT and The Education Trust defines the specific rigorous academic skills that need to be taught in English, math and science high school courses to prepare graduates for college and work. In the study On Course for Success, results showed clearly what needs to happen to have successful high schools. In high schools with significant minority and low-income student populations, students can be prepared to succeed in credit-bearing first-year college courses. In addition, the study showed that the skills expected for college are also the skills needed to enter today’s workforce. So whether students plan further education or work after high school graduation, they need to graduate college-ready. These are the common components that were found at the high schools that put students On Course for Success:
· High-level college-oriented content: Successful students were enrolled in college-preparatory courses in their high schools and learning the skills they needed to be ready for college-level work. The content of these courses put students on a trajectory toward college from Grade 9 through Grade 12.
· Well-qualified teachers: Teachers of successful high school courses were qualified to teach their academic discipline in high school, and many held advanced degrees.
· Flexible pedagogical styles: The teachers commanded flexible pedagogical styles, allowing informal rapport with their students. To assist in the comprehension of difficult concepts, the teachers made connections to former learning, to current events, to popular culture and across the curriculum.
· Tutorial support: In the 10 schools and 69 courses studied, both the schools and the teachers of the courses supported students with tutorial help, both formally and informally.
KTLC Registration Now Open
Registration for the 2007 Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference is now open. The 2007 Kentucky Teaching and Learning Conference will begin with an opening keynote address, reception and drawing for a cruise on Wednesday evening, March 7. Workshops and concurrent sessions will be conducted Thursday, March 8, and Friday, March 9. There will be no Saturday sessions. This year's venue will again be the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville.
With the help of our KDE partners, great changes are in store for KTLC 2007. The theme for KTLC 2007 is Rigor, Relevance and Relationships: Three Rs of a 21st Century Education. The focus will be to help schools and districts address rigor, relevance and relationships as they plan learning opportunities for all students.
Registration information can be found by going to KTLC Conference Registration.
Fulbright Exchange Program
The Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to provide an opportunity for U.S. award-winning public school principals of middle and high schools to learn more about the Brazilian educational system, visit Brazilian schools and interact with Brazilian administrators, teachers and students in August 2007. Award-winning principals from more than 20 Brazilian states will join U.S. counterparts to share best practices in school leadership and administration, teacher development and community involvement. The application deadline is April 9. For more specific information about this program, please visit Fulbright - Other Opportunities.
Quotable Quotes
“Leadership is about vision. But leadership is equally about creating a climate where the truth is heard and the brutal facts confronted.”
Jim Collins