High School Overhaul: Educators Leading Real Change

Outline

High School Overhaul: Educators Leading Real Change (60 minutes)

Pre-Session Engagement (As attendees enter)
- Digital "Do Now": Word cloud poll
- Question: "What's the biggest challenge in making your high school a place students want to be?"

I. Introduction and Framing (5 minutes)

- Welcome and brief introduction of panelists, highlighting their disruptive approaches
- Overview of top challenges from word cloud
- Session goals: Exploring core qualities of thriving, inclusive school communities

II. Core Discussion: Reimagining High School (45 minutes) (Five key areas, 9 minutes each):
1. Systemic Change and Innovative Learning Models (Dr. Jonah Schenker): Bridging high schools, colleges, and industry; Rural and vocational education perspective
2. Equity, Well-being, and Student Voice (Dr. Terry Harris): Amplifying student voices in school transformation; Equitable practices
3. Teacher Empowerment and Professional Growth (Dr. Josephine Salvador): Creating networks of outstanding educators
4. Data-Driven Strategies and Scaling Success (Marcus Bratton): Implementing systemic improvements across diverse districts; Focusing on students furthest from opportunity
5. Family Engagement and Chronic Absenteeism (Moderator, Dr. Kara Stern): Strategies for meaningful family involvement in high school; Addressing the attendance crisis

For each area:

- Brief introduction by panelist/moderator (2 minutes)
- Moderated discussion with other panelists (4 minutes)
- Rapid audience engagement: Digital idea board (3 minutes)

Prompt: "Share one actionable idea to address this in your school"

III. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Micro-Discussion Protocol (7 minutes)

- Present a critical challenge from the initial word cloud (1 minute)
- Micro-discussion protocol (5 minutes):
- Individual reflection (1 minute): Attendees jot down initial thoughts
- Pair share (2 minutes): Discuss ideas with a partner
- Square share (2 minutes): Two pairs join to form groups of four, synthesizing top ideas
- Rapid digital sharing: Each group submits their top solution to the digital board (1 minute)
- Panelists offer quick insights on selected ideas (1 minute)

IV. Closing and Action Steps (3 minutes)
- Each panelist shares one key takeaway (2 minutes)
- Moderator's call to action: Making high school a place students want to be (1 minute)

Continuous Engagement
- Open digital Q&A board for ongoing questions
- Moderator weaves relevant questions into panel discussions

Post-Session Resources
- Provide QR code/link to digital resource board including:
- Panelist contact information
- Recommended readings/resources
- Complete idea boards from the session
- Guidelines for forming action groups or accountability partnerships

Supporting research

https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/redesigning-high-schools-10-features-for-success-report

https://youthtruth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/YouthTruth-Students-Weigh-In-Part-IV.pdf

https://youthtruth.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/FuturePlans_2023.pdf

https://bealearninghero.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/FACE-Impact-Study.pdf

https://www.edutopia.org/article/importance-belonging-in-schools/

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/what-educators-need-to-know-about-the-intense-anxiety-that-keeps-students-home-from-school/2023/09