As published in the Record Journal Sunday December 9, 2012
By Russell Blair
Record-Journal staff
rblair@record-journal.com
(203) 317-2225
Twitter:@RussellBlairRJ
WALLINGFORD - It’s a lofty goal, but the school district’s 21st Century Innovation Team wants to see 100 percent of students graduate from high school.
Two teachers and a principal have taken a paid sabbatical this year to identify a problem in the town’s schools and propose a solution. The group presented their research project, dubbed “Wallingford 100,” to the Board of Education last week. “With combined efforts from 100 percent of the community we will achieve a 100 percent graduation rate of students who are 100 percent engaged and empowered,” the group wrote in a cover letter accompanying the presentation. “The ultimate goal is for every student to be college and/or career ready.”
While graduation is the objective, work will need to be done beginning at the elementary school level. According to the group’s research, there are signs as early as fourth grade that can predict dropout rates. Indicators include low grades, low attendance, failing English or math in sixth grade and declining grades from fifth to sixth grade.
But change will start at the high school, where major adjustments haven’t occurred in quite some time. The elementary schools were reconfigured and the middle schools are in their second year of new team structures.
“The traditional structure of our high schools has remained unchanged while the elementary and middle schools have undergone organizational changes over the last few years,” the group wrote. “To add, our research about dropouts indicates a level of healthy urgency at the high school level.”
Specific proposals to reach the 100 percent graduation goal include more technology and experimental, hands-on learning at the K-2 elementary schools; intensive intervention strategies and student authoring of blogs and podcasts at the 3-5 elementary schools; themed projects and personalized instructions at the middle schools, and internships, apprenticeships and a greater focus on Advanced Placement courses at the high schools.
“We have some of these things going on already,” said School Superintendent Salvatore Menzo. “It’s getting them more ingrained in the system. The technology, that’s something that’s an ongoing initiative.”
The project will also require a change in thinking for the entire community. As a first step, the group wants students, teachers, business owners, parents and others to read “Mindset” by Carol Dweck, which teaches readers to practice a “growth mindset,” the idea that abilities can be improved through hard work and persistence, rather than the belief that individuals are born with a fixed amount of talent and ability.
“We need students who are ready for the 21st century,” said Jan Murphy, who took a year off from her job as principal of Cook Hill School to participate in the program. “We need people that can solve problems that don’t exist and fill jobs that aren’t available right now.”
Ellen Cohn, the district’s assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, lauded the group’s work.
“Change is coming,” she said. “The question is do we want it done to us? The innovation project ... is choosing for ourselves. Otherwise I see us heading down a chute where we have change done to us.”
Joining Murphy on the team are information technology resource teacher Kate O’Donnell and Yalesville School physical education teacher Patty Pursell. The group said they hope to roll out the changes over the next three years, with full implementation of the plan coming in 2015.
The school district has put some funding toward the project but has also received thousands of dollars in donations from local businesses. A review board made up of representatives of the companies helped determine the scope of the project.
“I’ve watched you from the beginning,” said Board of Education Chairwoman Roxane McKay. “I think you guys have done an amazing job. I think that this is an exciting goal for us as a district. This is a cutting-edge thing.”
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