2013 Pathways to the Prize - School Winners

Pathways to the Prize Lessons from the 2011 SCORE Prize School Winners Pathways to the Prize Lessons from the 2011 SCORE Prize School Winners High expectations 1. Each of the 2011 SCORE Prize school-level winners sets and communicates high expectations for their schools. For example, at Mt. Juliet, the school created a policy that students could no longer take zeros for uncompleted assignments. PENDIX DISCUS SIO AP N a. How do the other two schools set and communicate high expectations? In what ways does this resemble the expectation setting and communication process in your school? b. How can you set and communicate high expectations in your classroom? How can your school raise expectations for students? GU Priorities E ID 2. Principal Cupples chose three areas of focus at Fairview Elementary: early intervention, communication, and data use. a. How do these three areas compare with the priorities at your school? How does your school set priorities? How are they communicated to the school body? b. What are the priorities in your classroom? How do you communicate them to students? How do goals in your classroom align with your school’s goals? Parent and community involvement 3. All three principals engage parents and make connections with their local community. For example, Principal Lewis established a parent advisory board and a Parent Academy at Power Center Academy. a. What structures and supports does your school use to connect to parents and the community? In what ways might these structures and communication channels be improved upon? b. How do you make connections with parents of your students? How do you connect your classroom to your local community? Personalization 4. At Power Center Academy teachers and administrators work to give students a sense that they matter. For example, they greet students every morning and call them “scholars.” a. How do the other two prize winners personalize their students’ educational and social experiences? What practices at your school emphasize personalization? b. How do you personalize instruction in your classroom? How might your school increase personalization? Local context 5. All three schools operate in very different contexts, but each school makes decisions based on its community to best meet their students’ needs. a. What connections do the schools make between the policies, practices, and strategies they implement and the communities they serve? How does your school’s context influence its policies and practices? b. How do you incorporate the local context into your classroom? 40 Appendix: Discussion Guide Appendix: Discussion Guide 41

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