Proposed Changes to the Program of Study at Strath Haven High School * School Board Presentati Monday, January 23, 2017
The high school administration has been charged with reimagining our educational program at the high school, fostering innovation in academic progra mming, supporting 1131016702326731616673 every student's achievement, and containing growth in district costs. The high school administration has also been asked to present a long-term staffing plan that continues efforts to close the structural deficit that exists within the General Fund Budget by lessening the District's reliance on the use of the fund balance, is sensitive to the impact on the local taxpayer, yet will continue to provide a high quality educational program for all students.
Maintain a strong academic program of studies Preserve a diversity of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students from all backgrounds and academic abilities Continue to support students' emotional /mental health and support systems through extracurricular activities and services such as counseling, psychological, and medical staff Continue to demand a rigorous curriculum that exceeds the PA minimum graduation requirements Continue to offer academic support and multiple levels of instruction to serve all students Continue to provide a program that assists students in reaching their post-secondary goals, and responds to the Strategic Plan's call for increased personalized learning opportunities
Maintain 4x4 block scheduling, to allow students to remediate or accelerate as appropriate Phase in changes to allow time for administration and 7)0 faculty to adjust to course selection patterns and prepare for losses in staff by training in areas where needed Attain needed staff reductions thoughtfully, over time, and through attrition, rather than by a Reduction In Force Maintain the fifth block model, which provides student access to teachers for support, professional development, faculty collaboration, extracurricular club meetings, enrichment/credit accumulation in music ensembles, and time before athletics to accommodate multiple interests
• A senior must register for a minimum of six (6) credits to be considered a full-time student. • A senior who has remained on track to meet all graduation requirements by completing 23 credits in all needed distribution areas by August 15th following the junior year will be eligible to participate in the senior exploration. • Senior exploration time may be used to enroll in a field career, obtain a part-time job, enroll in a dual enrollment course at an approved college or university, or enroll in an approved online course. It may also be used to work on post-secondary planning, engage in service learning projects, or to explore a personal hobby or interest through a non- accredited program of study.
Modeled after currently-existing programs in WCASD and TESD, among others Seniors will be able to take advantage of established programs in Field Career, Co-Op, Dual Enrollment, Online Learning, and Independent Study, as well as new opportunities for Service Learning and Non-Accredited Hobbies or Interests Students will choose electives based upon interest, distribution requirements, and/or post-secondary plans In areas where interest declines, retirements occur, or new certified staff are unable to be found, we will plan for staff reductions or adjustments in program
C Field Career / Co-Op: Restaurant, Campaign Office, NPE, Swarthmorean, Media Theater, Graphic Design, SRS, Children's Camp, Physical Therapy, Government Office Dual Enrollment / Online: Classical Physics, English Composition, General Psychology, CADD Graphics, Calculus III, Sociology, History of Rock and Roll, Astronomy, Interpersonal Communication, Politics in the Middle East, Dance, Russian Language, Japanese Language Independent Study: Lyrical Composition, Wellness in the Student-Athlete, Golf, Scientific Applications of Computer Science, Forensics, Web-Based Startups, Engagement with China, Junior Achievement Financial Literacy, Occupational Therapy, Contemporary Issues, Ballet/Choreography, Space R I Shuttle Engineering, Real Analysis(MIT), Knitting Wave Cinema
Beginning with the Class of 2019, a student must meet the following requirements: Total Credits Program 5.0 English 4.0 Social Studies 4.0 Mathematics 4.0 Science 3.0 (reduced from 4.0) Foreign Language 3.0 (reduced from 4.0) Fine and Applied Arts 1.0 Health 1.0 Physical Education 4.0 (increased from 2.0) Other Credits 29.0 Total
Provide increased flexibility for seniors in course selection Allow seniors to select academic electives, if appropriate, while taking advantage of Senior Exploration We will continue to offer the highest expectations in the region for engagement in world languages and the arts
-0 1- v District English Social St Math Science H/PE WL Arts Elective Senior Total 2 7 No 23 Council Rock 4 3 3 3 2 0 Garnet Valley 4 4 4 4 2.5 0 0 8Yes 27.5 Great Valley 4 3 3 3 2.25 0 0 8.75 Yes 24 Haverford 0 2 7 No 26.5 4 4 4 4 1.5 Lower Merion 4 4 3 3 2 1 1 6Yes 21 2 4.5 Yes 26 Marple Newtown 4 4 3 3 2.5 1 4 4 4 4 2 0 2 7 No 27 Pennsbury 21 Pennsylvania 4 3 3 3 1 0 0 7Yes 4 No 22.5 Radnor 4 3 3 3 3 0 2.5 / Ridley 4 3 3 3 4 0 0 14Yes ( 32 Rose Tree Media 4 4 3 3 2.5 1 0 7.5Yes 28 , 2 1 6 No 24 Springfield 4 3 3 3 2 Tredyffrin Easttown 4 3 3 3 1.9 2 2 5.1Yes 24 Unionville Chadds Ford 4 4 3 3 1.5 0 1.5 5 Yes 22 26.5 Upper Darby 4 4 3 3 2 0 0 10.5 Yes Wallingford Swarthmore 5 4 4 4 2 4 4 2 No 29 West Chester Area 4 4 3 3 2.8 0 2 5 Yes Wissahickon 4 4 3 3 2.5 2 0 7.5 Yes 26.8
AcLes s t. Counselors encourage students to complete 3 credits in WL in order to be competitive in post-secondary college admissions Many students interested in highly-competitive post- secondary college admissions, or with a strong interest in language studies, complete 4 or more credits • Among 50 seniors, 24 (48%) chose to match the four-credit requirement 18 (36%) chose to waive one credit and complete 3 total 5 (10%) chose to exceed and complete 5+ credits 3 (6%), due to IEP goals and needs, waived all credits
Among 50 seniors, including 30 members of the Marching Band, the average number of FAA credits scheduled over four years is 7.46 (Band) and 6.025 (Non-Band) for an overall average of 6.53 credits in FAA over four years • 16 of the 50 seniors ,10 (Band) and 6 (Non-Band), earned 8 or more FAA credits, doubling the current requirement • Students are currently able to waive one credit in FAA with academic substitution, and yet only 3 of 50 chose to waive down to 3 credits in FAA • SHHS students exceed minimum requirements as appropriate for their interests and aptitudes c SHHS students are actively engaged in the arts, and will continue to have access
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