Needs identified and addressed through Race to the Top: Improve academic achievement of high school and special education students; bolster the middle school achievement
Major initiatives/investments:
- Building a new Woodbridge High School, which will feature state-of-the-art Performing and Visual Arts and Sciences programs, and be a the premier choice of schools for students not only in the district, but from others as well. The reconfiguration will also include additional STEM pathways, an increase in community partnerships, and a rigorous, aligned, and challenging curriculum for all students
- Focus on middle school students’ achievement by supporting teachers with additional professional development, monitoring fidelity of curriculum, adding reading support and lengthening math and reading class time
- Targeted support for special education, low income, and African American students, the subgroups currently scoring the lowest on standardized tests
- Additional home support for students from low-income families
- Professional development and revised mentoring program for teachers
- Informational and personal development offerings for parents and community members as identified through a yet-to-be-administered community needs survey
- New personnel, including instructional technology specialist, special education specialist, district social worker, and school administration manager
Other innovations within the plan:
- Using Skype for interviews
- Default enrolling targeted students in advance coursework