Needs identified and addressed through Race to the Top: Better prepare students for college or careers, particularly minority, low-income and special education students; increase rigor in coursework at elementary through high school levels; improve kindergarten readiness; and improve student enrollment and success at William Penn High School.
Major initiatives and investments:
- Collaborative teacher planning time and data analysis to improve core instruction and identify students who need additional support, and expansion of Response to Intervention process to all schools
- High quality professional development to improve teachers’ deep content knowledge, and coaching provided by Curriculum Supervisors and a variety of coaches supporting all major district initiatives
- Redesign of programs and curriculum at William Penn High School to attract more district eighth graders, including a partnership with Penn Farm and other area businesses and colleges to offer real world experiences
- Creating after school support and summer academies to assist student success in expanded advanced courses
- Enhancement and expansion of preschool program
- Improved recruiting, screening, hiring, mentoring and placement policies for all teachers and leaders
Other innovations within the plan:
- District wide focus on college-going culture with every teacher communicating with every family about college beginning in preschool
- Policy requiring all AP students to take the AP exam free of charge
- Reading clinic in elementary school with high ELL population
- Parent Resource Centers in every school
- Professional learning community for school leadership and district staff