The Building Goals for the 2003-2004 School Year:
| As part of the mandated Whole School Reform, William L. Dickinson High School has chosen to investigate development of Small Learning Communities in collaboration with the Talent Development Model through a partnership with the Johns Hopkins University for Research participate in a Talent Development Model through a partnership with the Johns Hopkins University for Research.
The Talent Development High School with Career Academies is essentially a comprehensive reform model designed to address such issues as student attendance, discipline, achievement scores and dropout rates. This model consists of specific modifications in school organization and management that are designed to establish a strong, positive school climate for learning. Essential components include curriculum and instruction innovations to transition all students into advanced high school courses in English and mathematics. Parent and community involvement activities will be designed and offered to encourage students’ career and college development, as well as appropriate teacher training and professional development systems to support the implementation of these models.
Our focus at William L. Dickinson High School is twofold: The Ninth Grade Success Academy will be a self contained “school within a school” organized around interdisciplinary teams designed to provide incoming ninth graders with a smooth transition to high school. Career Academies for the Upper Grades which are self contained, small learning communities with a career focus that enroll 250-300 students in grades 10, 11 and 12. Career Academies provide all students with a core college preparatory curriculum and work based learning experiences supported by industry partners and contacts from the business community. Students study in one of several career pathways within the academy, and teachers are organized into several interdisciplinary teams who share the same group of students and share a common planning period used to address individuals student concerns, coordinate instruction, and plan other appropriate team activities. The Career Academies are planned to be phased in over the next few years.
It is our ultimate intention at William L. Dickinson High School to provide our students with the learning opportunities, motivation and support needed to overcome inadequate academic preparation and successfully complete a core college prep curriculum.
It is also our goal to provide every teacher with the support needed to present effective standards based lessons, which encourage both active and contextual learning within the 80-minute instructional block.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
A sub-mission statement specifically designed for our classified students is included as a reinforcement of the above statement through utilization of inclusion strategies and committed to developing the needs of the entire student.
The Special Education Department of William L. Dickinson High School is committed to developing these needs.
Therefore our intention is:
To guarantee that all classified students are effectively included in the framework of the Talent Development Program.
To insure that the instructional needs of classified students are addressed based upon the pupil performance objectives indicated in the IEP.
To insure that students fully participate based upon diagnosed level of performance.
To provide the academic, social, interpersonal and technological skills, and
To deliver through cross curriculum instruction, realistic opportunities for post secondary education or school to work transition programs to ultimately become productive and contributing members of society. | |
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