Abl LIBRARY OF STRATEGIES S When school leaders rely solely on a seniority system to allow teachers’ years-of-experience as the guiding factor to teach advanced classes because they “earned it,” opportunities are often lost to allow the most promising teachers to make the largest achievement gains with students. School leaders have the opportunity to disrupt school … Read more
Between the cohorts of 2021 and 2022, students who were prepared for college and career increased 6 percentage points, a 9.6% rate of increase. African American students prepared for college and career increased by 18 percentage points and Hispanic students prepared for college and career increased by 5 percentage points.
Our latest tools empower districts with actionable insights and recommendations, aligning scheduling decisions seamlessly with broader district objectives. With these tools, districts can ensure each student’s academic journey is purposeful and geared towards success in both college and their chosen careers.
The state of Rhode Island is implementing sweeping changes for high school graduation requirements that leaders anticipate will open avenues of opportunity for thousands of students each year, creating college and career ready high school graduates equipped with real-world skills that are ready to take on the rigors of academia and transition into high-demand professions.
Strategic scheduling places the school schedule in the center of school and district improvement efforts. Instead of viewing scheduling as a technical task, strategic scheduling is a year-round process that can impact college and career outcomes and transform schools. This webinar will focus on the seven phases of strategic scheduling. We are also excited to highlight the experiences and achievements of the Kelso School District, where Sheri Walker, Principal of Kelso High School, and Lacey DeWeert, Associate Director of Teaching and Learning, will share their valuable insights.
If there was one resounding message from CUBE, it’s that actionable change needs to start in the school boards and work its way down to the school level. Too often, the pressure of implementing large-scale change falls on school administrators and principals without the focus of aligned student outcome goals from the board.
Elk Grove Unified School District had an ambitious plan to improve pathways for secondary students and increase underrepresented student participation in advanced courses. However, precise data on enrollment patterns, course offerings, and disparities was lacking, and faster feedback during scheduling was needed.
Whenever we introduce Abl’s Academic Intensity Measure (AIM) during our professional development sessions, one question keeps popping up: “I get that intensity is important, but not every student will be successful taking seven AP courses. Trying to fit them all in could set them up for failure – what’s the approach then?”
There is no single solution, or silver bullet, that can effectively address the educational gaps arising from differences in socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, gender, and geography. Consequently, it is crucial to adopt a comprehensive approach and a well-defined framework for best practices in college and career readiness.
As the school year begins, many school boards are once again faced with the challenge of representing the vision and values of their community while also creating conditions for all students to receive a quality education. However, for many school boards across the nation, adult inputs (things like staff, books, programs, and facilities) take precedent over prioritizing student outcomes in board decisions.
This webinar uncovers practical insights on crafting student-centered school schedules that hold the promise of closing achievement gaps and ensuring equitable access for all.
During this engaging session, we delved deep into the transformative power of prioritizing teacher collaboration, fostering robust student interactions, challenging traditional practices, providing diverse pathways, and nurturing effective communication.
A school’s schedule and the resulting student academic journey are crucial components in preparing students for postsecondary readiness. Henry County Schools experienced a common challenge in that student opportunities varied widely across schools within the district, which resulted in an overall trend of low advanced course enrollment.
Taunton High School, which includes the district’s eighth grade students, has utilized block scheduling since 1996. But four years ago, faced with the reality of declining accountability ratings and accreditation challenges, school leaders began to evaluate whether the schedule was helping or hurting student performance. They needed data and stakeholder engagement to make the case for change.
Watch this webinar recording to learn how master scheduling plays a transformative role in school success. Specific case studies and scheduling examples will highlight how middle and high schools across the country are strategically using the master schedule to tackle their most pressing challenges, including addressing equity and access.
In today’s fast-paced world, time management has become a crucial aspect of our lives, especially for schools, and building an efficient master schedule can make a significant difference in a school’s success. However, the traditional scheduling methods used by schools may not always be the most effective approach. This is where strategic scheduling comes in. … Read more
I vividly remember the moment when I had an epiphany regarding strategic scheduling. I had been a school leader for years, mastering the technical aspects of scheduling at a large comprehensive high school. I could quickly produce an efficient schedule that aligned offerings with teaching resources and was optimized to meet student demand. The vast majority of students started the school year with a full schedule and the schedule was built to maximize high school graduation requirements and to live within our allocated budget; so we always had a smooth start to the year.
Washington State education leaders and policymakers have taken a bold stance on the need for expanded access to academically intense courses for all students. State and district-level leaders know that academic acceleration is a key driver of statewide college readiness and career preparation.
Yet state leaders and school district superintendents recognize a challenge: Access to high academic intensity courses cross the state is uneven and often has low participation, or enrollment disparities do not reflect students’ diversity.
Dr. Hafedh Azaiez took the reins of the Round Rock Independent School District at a time of seismic shift in public education. The sprawling school district located in the northern suburbs of Austin, Texas, has long enjoyed a stellar reputation as a destination district. But when Azaiez was hired as Superintendent in 2021, Round Rock ISD, like districts across the nation, was still reeling from the effects of the pandemic – virtual instruction, declining enrollment, teacher burnout, and, the perineal challenge for public schools, insufficient funding.
Excerpt from Center for American Progress: “The world has evolved dramatically since the public school schedule first took root. When the school day first evolved, millions of children—many as young as 10 years old—worked, and most mothers stayed at home. Today, child labor for the most part is outlawed, and 75 percent of women with … Read more
Excerpt “Across the nation, many school districts are asking themselves, “What can we do to better serve our students of color and those from low-income communities?” In Ed Trust’s podcast, ExtraOrdinary Districts, writer-in-residence Karin Chenoweth explores that question by visiting ordinary school districts that are getting extraordinary results for historically underserved youth. Whether you’re a principal or parent, … Read more
Excerpt “Karen Ritter, an assistant principal at a high school just outside of Chicago, wanted to see her school through a student’s eyes. So she decided to follow 9th grader Alan Garcia, who came to her asking to be switched out of the many remedial classes in which he is enrolled, hoping to get a … Read more
The Diploma Dilemma: A Policy Analysis from the Hoover Education Success Initiative Excerpt “The thesis of this paper is that there is a critical need to redesign or, at a minimum, realign states’ approaches to high school diplomas. Education leaders have to face the unpalatable reality that lowering high school requirements tacitly condones the lack … Read more
Cedar Rapids school district planned to switch to a new Student Information System provider and a block schedule in the 2019-2020 school year. The district wanted an audit of its information systems to ensure efficiency, equity, and data health, specifically looking at class sizes, staff distribution, disparities across schools and student groups, and accuracy of information in the SIS.
Federal Way Public Schools Improving College and Career Readiness for all Students Federal Way is focused on an advancement of a college-going culture and expanding STEM access to all students. An analysis of transcript and scheduling data helped them identify ways to improve college and career readiness for all students in the district. More Success … Read more
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I’m baby direct trade cliche cloud bread hammock kinfolk deep v. Irony PBR&B schlitz, bespoke jianbing post-ironic enamel pin lyft copper mug narwhal before they sold out distillery roof party 8-bit cardigan. Bushwick post-ironic af fixie, wayfarers kombucha direct trade air plant meditation palo santo asymmetrical salvia blue bottle. 3 wolf moon subway tile fam, … Read more
I’m baby direct trade cliche cloud bread hammock kinfolk deep v. Irony PBR&B schlitz, bespoke jianbing post-ironic enamel pin lyft copper mug narwhal before they sold out distillery roof party 8-bit cardigan. Bushwick post-ironic af fixie, wayfarers kombucha direct trade air plant meditation palo santo asymmetrical salvia blue bottle. 3 wolf moon subway tile fam, … Read more
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