THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Inspiration from Houston’s Successful YES Prep Schools
Creating a Strong Creating a Strong
School CultureSchool Culture
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG 2
Webinar ProtocolsAudio
• Listen online, or dial in: (773) 945-1010;code: 156-218-997.
Useful Information• Webinar ID: 184-918-521.
Q&A• Use the Questions panel to submit questions.
PowerPoint/Recordings• Download a copy of the PowerPoint at edutopia.org/webinar-december.
• Recordings of the webinar will be emailed.
Problems?• Email [email protected].
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Inspiration from Houston’s Successful YES Prep Schools
Creating a Strong Creating a Strong
School CultureSchool Culture
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Mayra Valle
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Chris Barbic and Mark DiBella
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Agenda
Myths and Challenges
The Fundamentals• Great people• High expectations• Student support• Staff support
Application at North Central
Challenges, Mistakes, and Lessons Learned
Getting Started
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
“This is great, but ... ”
YES “creams” kids.
YES kicks kids out who don’t do the work.
YES receives more money than traditional public schools.
YES has the freedom to do things other public schools can’t do.
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
YES Prep Challenges
Student Persistence• First year 25 percent attrition, this year 3 percent so far
Staff Retention• 25 percent attrition three years ago, last year under 10
percent
Sustainability• Per-pupil allocation is $1,500 less than traditional public
schools
Developing Leaders• Starting leadership pipeline ten years after YES was founded
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
“Transforming public education
is not rocket science.
It’s just hard, hard work.”
—Chris Barbic, founder, YES Prep Public Schools
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
The Fundamentals
The belief system behind the culture at YES ...
Great People
High Expectations
Student Support
Staff Support
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Question Break
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Great People
People, People, People• Rounds (Differentiated Project Work Teams)
Behavioral Interview Guide• Seven Personality Traits (available at edutopia.org)
Sample Lessons• Students vote on every new teacher
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Great People — Lessons Learned
Most Valuable Resources: Time and Support• “Half-Day Passes” and Access to Administration
School Culture Is a Precious Heirloom
• New-to-YES Mentors
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
High Expectations
For Students …Earn Admission to a Four-Year University• 100 percent of graduates accepted into a four-year university
Sweating the Small Stuff• The broken-window theory: belts, gum, and untucked shirts
Perform Service Back to Community• Community service hour requirements for all students
For Staff ...Carry Cell Phones to Be Accessible to StudentsOffer Tutorials and Enrichment
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
High Expectations — Lessons Learned
Skills v. Content
“Algebra for All” Eighth-Grade Math
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Question Break
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Student Support
Interventions …Integrated 6th–12th-Grade Model• Students mentoring students
Schoolwide Discipline Systems• “RISE” and “Wall Street” and Demerit Cards
Seminar Classes in High School• Established 9th–12th Seminar Curriculum
Exposure …Summer Programs / Spring Trips / College Visits• Importance of fundraising, building relationships, and creating opportunities
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Student Support — Lessons Learned
Middle School to High School Transition
Spring Trips / College Visits
One-Size-Fits-All Discipline (the 80-20 rule)
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Staff Support
Teaching Excellence• State-approved teacher certification
program
Grade-Level Teams• Weekly grade-level team meetings
Deans of Instruction and Curriculum• Constant, timely, relevant feedback
Direct Access to Administration• Coffee Talks (three times per year)
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Staff Support — Lessons Learned
The Spectrum of Management • From Micromanagement to Total Autonomy
Shorter, More Frequent Observations• “The Basic Package”
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Getting Started — Round 1
Great People: Change the World in Teams
High Expectations: Build a College-Bound Culture
Student Support: Give Out Your Cell Phone Number
Staff Support: Peer Observations
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG
Getting Started — Round 2
Great People: Everyone Is a Recruiter
High Expectations: End-in-Mind Alignment
Student Support: Bidding Trips
Staff Support: Culture Calendar
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG 24
Q&A
Please use the Questions pane on the right or use #edutopiawebinar on Twitter to submit any questions you may have.
For unanswered questions, we encourage you to continue the discussion at our new YES Prep Teachers group, at edutopia.org/yes.
For additional resources, including the PowerPoint presentation and useful links, go to edutopia.org/webinar-december.
THE GEORGE LUCAS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | WHAT WORKS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION | EDUTOPIA.ORG 25
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Stay tuned for Edutopia’s upcoming webinar in February on social and emotional learning.