Fostering Academic Accountability in High School Students While Improving Communication with Parents and Teachers

Weekly Plan Implemented to Help Keep Students Accountable For Their Academic Commitments This Best Practice was implemented to help students improve failing or low grades from the mid-term grading period to the end of the semester. A Grade Improvement Plan (GIP) template was designed to aid students and teachers in tailoring strategies for improvement to […]

Use of “The Recovery Process” for Disruptive Classroom Students

The “Recovery Process” Allows the Teacher to Preserve the Classroom Learning Environment The “Recovery Process” is one of the nine-skills found in the multimedia training program, 9 Essential Skills for the Love and Logic Classroom. This process allows the teacher to preserve the learning environment when nothing seems to be working with the student. We […]

PBIS Initiatives

Students Rewarded for Doing the Right Thing Our PBIS team has created a positive set of school wide expectations for all areas of the school.  We have put into place many incentives for students who do the right thing.  We have a student of the month breakfast for those students selected in the different curriculum […]

S.W.A.G.G.E.R. Wall

Students Rewarded for Good Grades The goal at Southside Middle School is to promote responsibility and a strong work ethic with students.  In order to achieve a positive academic atmosphere, we reward students for good grades.  Students who receive a good grade on an assignment, test, or project are identified by their teacher.  The teacher […]

Student Led Conferences

Student Led Parent-Teacher Conferences Increase Student Confidence Student Led Conferences facilitate student articulation of learning, student-engaged assessment through review and reflection, and parent engagement. As parent-teacher conferences transition to parent-teacher-student conferences, students become a part of the conversation and become involved in the process of reflecting on their progress. After parents and students understand that both […]

The Heart of Alternative Education: Understanding the Individualized Service Plan

Ways to Help Students Who Have an Individualized Service Plan (ISP) Options Charter Schools currently run two full-school alternative programs in Hamilton County. In order for our schools to qualify for alternative education funding we must service students that fall under one of the five categories of eligible students: (1) Intend to withdraw or have withdrawn from […]

Use of Quarter Courses to Increase Curriculum Diversity for High Ability High School Students

Quarter Length Courses Allow Students the Choice Between Multiple Narrowly Focused Subject Matters Throughout the Semester Quarter courses were developed to increase the diversity of courses available to high ability students.  Courses last for half a semester and are usually developed in pairs taught by the same instructor.  Topics for quarter courses are usually more narrowly […]

Online Professional Development

Ways to Enhance Teacher Development Sustained professional development time has been curtailed due to changes in school scheduling. In addition, there is an online course management tool (MBC) that was underutilized. Some professional development materials and discussion topics were presented via MBC. Teachers responded to pertinent topics such as cultural competency, engaging children from poverty, […]

Reducing Office Referrals for Targeted Students

Creation of a Progressive Discipline Plan Helps Keep Students in the Classroom Assistant Principals have reduced the number of referrals for targeted students who had 5 or more referrals during the previous school year.  Students who have consistently violated school rules have missed instructional time due to office referrals, suspensions and parent meetings to address […]

Exhibition Night

Student Presentations Enhance Learning Experience Inspire Academy increases parental involvement each semester with a school-wide celebration of learning called “Exhibition Night.” The event features the culmination of a semester of student work a they unveil their final products. Students present their learning to a broader audience by giving informational speeches and substantive question and answer […]

Success Academy

Instructional Coaching Benefits Students in an Alternative Program The Success Academy is a new alternative program at Anderson High School. The 75+ students are educated by seven teachers throughout the day (focusing on core subjects and freshmen appropriate electives). All classrooms and lockers are located within the same hallway, to ensure maximum support.  Research-based strategies […]