Explain the activities in which your school will participate to increase your overall rating. Include specific details.

As evidenced in the SES Band Data, which content area(s) will be the focus for improving student achievement and why was this area chosen?

Our SES Band Data shows that while overall we are at the top of Broward schools in our SES Band, we are lagging behind in our Reading proficiency. Data indicates that 36% of students making learning gains in reading, which was better than Stranahan HS and Coconut Creek HS but fell behind Hollywood Hills, Miramar HS and Piper HS. Finally, 35% of our student in the bottom quartile made learning gains. This is obviously an area where our students struggle, and without literacy proficiency, it is difficult for them to excel in other content areas, or to be college and career ready. Therefore, this is an area of greatest urgency for us. 

What specific BEST Practice(s) will be implemented or scaled-up to improve teaching and learning in order to increase performance within the SES Band?

The BEST Practice that we will continue to scale-up to improve teaching and learning in order to increase performance within the SES Band is A Focused and Authentic PLC Process.

Describe in detail how the BEST Practice(s) will be scaled-up.

Our PLC's include weekly departmental professional learning communities that meet to complete the C.A.R.E. cycle of collaboratively analyzing student data, adjusting the curriculum, and providing remediation and enrichment. Each department has created an instructional focus calendar with a schedule of common assessments. Teachers meet weekly to discuss student progress towards mastery of the assessed standards and to create & monitor a plan of remediation and enrichment. Administrators, department chairs, and curriculum coaches also meet bi-weekly as a Curriculum Leadership Team to monitor data and discuss progress. Our professional development committee assesses the PD needs of our teachers utilizing staff surveys, walkthrough data, and student achievement data in order to provide learning on professional study days that will increase student achievement by increasing the effectiveness of instruction with a particular focus on improving literacy instruction in all content areas. 

What specific school-level progress monitoring data is collected and how often?

Our school-level progress monitoring data is collected by using Common Formative Assessments which are administered every three to five weeks depending on the Instructional Focus Calendar. Midyear we also use mock EOCs and the SAT to collect data for remediation or enrichment to ensure student success.

How does the school ensure the fidelity of students not progressing towards school and district goals?

Each department follows an instructional focus calendar that provides an opportunity for remediation, pullouts and quarterly data chats for their students. Teachers use their study hall periods to address grades and online courses with their students. School to home communication is also a vital tool used by teachers to enlist parents to help with students not progressing towards school and district goals. Teachers meet weekly for 30 minutes in department PLC's to plan instruction that is based on school goals and to analyze student data to ensure students are progressing towards mastery. Administrators meet with department leaders to discuss data chats and lesson plans. Teachers also meet with administrators individually to discuss their classroom instruction and student data in relation to the school and district goals.

How does the school ensure that all classroom instruction is accessible to the full range of learners using Universal Designs for Learning (UDL) for effective instructional design (planning) and delivery (teaching)?

Teachers utilize departmental common planning time to work collaboratively to develop classroom lessons that offer flexible methods of presentation, such as lecture, jigsaw strategies, videos, demos, text-based lessons, and inquiry based lessons. They also plan lessons that offer multiple ways of expression to provide diverse students with alternatives for demonstrating what they have learned through portfolios, journaling, and through formative and summative assessments. Teachers also share lesson ideas designed and proven to motivate diverse learners to engage. Classroom walkthroughs are conducted by administrators, curriculum coaches, and master teachers to provide feedback to teachers about those 3 elements of the universal design for learning and staff development is offered to individual teachers and to groups of teachers based on identified needs.  

How does the school ensure Tier 1 Standards-Based classroom instruction is being implemented properly and effectively?

Our school ensures Tier 1 Standards-Based classroom instruction is being implemented properly and effectively with the use of walkthrus and observations conducted by our TIF Master teachers, department heads and administrators. Effective and immediate meetings follow the walk-thru and observation process to ensure timely and informative feedback is provided to all staff members.

Describe texts used for core, supplemental, and intervention programs at each grade level. How does the school ensure students have access to a balance of literary and informational text in a variety of mediums?

Each content curriculum teacher has a district-mandated textbook and supplemental program to use at each grade level. The district also provides software programs: Newsela, Math Nation, online textbooks and library resources. Our students have a choice of using the online version or a hard copy of their textbook. We offer afterschool programs where computers are available for student access to a variety of mediums.

How does your school implement the Broward County Public Schools Social and Emotional Learning Standards to ensure students are developing social and emotional skills?

Students in our PASL study hall classes and our mentoring groups, Mentoring Tomorrow's Leaders, 5,000 Role Models, Carter Cares, Women of Tomorrow, as well as students involved in a number of clubs and after school programs recieve instruction and applicable activities to improve their self-awareness, social awareness, responsible decision-making, self-management, and relationship skills. 

In which ways are the five competencies of the Social Emotional Learning explicitly taught and/or integrated school-wide and in the classroom?

During the first week of school, our school wide postive behavior plan lessons are taught in every study hall classroom that deal with the competencies of social and emotional learning, and include specific lessons on goal setting and responsible decision-making, and maintaining postive relationships and conflict management. Students are also taught self-management strategies in their study hall classes. PASL study hall classes incorporate rapid check-ins to ascertain students' social and emotional well-being and to teach self awareness and self-management strategies. Quarterly grade level assemblies also address broad aspects of the SEL competencies. Guidance counselors complete classroom guidance presentations where they address SEL competencies as well. 

How does your school-wide policy and practices support the social emotional learning for students?

Our school has PASL incorporated in our 9th and 10th grade Study Hall classes where teachers are checking in with students every other day to ensure they are academically, socialy, and emotionally on track. They help them join clubs and activities that are of interest to them, and help students monitor their grades. We have many mentoring groups including 5,000 Role Models, Mentoring Tomorrow's Leaders, Women of Tomorrow, Glitter Girls, and Carter Cares. These mentoring groups explicitly teach problem solving, respect for others, self-confidence, self-discipline, communication, and relationship building. Studnets also have the opportunity to participate in a number of clubs and activities that teach them SEL competencies including SWAG, HOPE club, Future Chargers, Best Buddies, and BluApple Poetry Network, just to name a few.