East Fairmont High School Innovation Zone Grant

December, 2009

A. Cover Page

B. Information of Applicant:

Entity Applying for Innovation Zone Designation X A school One or more schools acting as a consortia A group of schools seeking designation across the same subdivision

or department of the schools A school seeking designation of a subdivision or department A higher education institution

Name of Entity Applying: East Fairmont High School County: Marion Superintendent: Mr. Thomas Deadrick Number of Professional Personne1:56 Number of Service Personnel: i8

Institution of Higher Education: County Location:

C. Narratives for the Innovation Zone Application:

The faculty of East Fairmont High School is interested in exploring the possibility of implementing more problem-based learning instructional strategies across curricular content areas. As a Professional Development School in the Fairmont State University Collaborative, we have initiated some exploration of this concept through the partnership. This type of instruction is routine within New Technology High Schools is intriguing to the East Fairmont community. These strategies have demonstrated success with students as they strive to understand how classroom learning will apply to real-world situations within their lives. East Fairmont High School faculty would like to learn more about the instructional design that occurs within this type of school in order to decide if it would be beneficial to model in our school. Students, members of the Local School Improvement Council (parents, school personnel, and business partners), the board of education, Fairmont State University College of Education, and the school's faculty have expressed support of this endeavor.

• Project Design: o The narrative shall indicate the results of an assessment of the improvement

needs of the eligible applicant. Analysis of WESTEST data suggests the following problems and challenges: o Students have problems applying their knowledge to real-world problem-

solving situations. o Students cannot transfer application skills learned to application skills

tested. o The WESTEST does not test beyond a Depth of Knowledge (DOK) of a

level '3' and therefore instructional focus is limited beyond level 3. Failure of this transfer may suggest students are not finding significant relevance. o Teachers need more planning time and flexibility in daily schedules to

integrate that transferability. o Absence of problem-based learning strategies impedes transferability and

relevance of the curriculum. o Patterns of daily attendance suggest chronic engagement problems.

o Provide the goals and objectives of the project. o Teachers become facilitators and coaches who guide students as they take

charge of their own learning. o Empower students to with learning opportunities. o Graduate collaborative, self-directed, critical thinkers who are capable of

framing and solving the problems that will shape a collective future. o Teach students how to have a voice in campus leadership with trust,

respect, and responsibility. o Students learn to handle long, complex tasks and manage their time. o Students acquire subject-matter knowledge and the skills they need to

thrive in college, career, and life. o Students and teachers alike have ownership of learning experiences and

are equally responsible for success. o Teachers will design rigorous projects tied to state and district standards

and customized to the interests of students. o Teachers model team-based collaboration. o Integrate project-based learning (PBL) using technology and inquiry to

engage students with issues and questions relevant to their lives.

o Describe how the innovation is expected to work. o The innovation is going to give teachers an opportunity to explore new

teaching strategies to better prepare students for the Global 21 Society. o Teachers will facilitate the learning process, as well as empower,

encourage, and shape student-focused learning. o Students will take responsibility for their learning through collaboration,

student-directed group projects, and self-assessment. o Students will hold themselves and their peers accountable; they will

manage their time, take academic risks, and question the learning process.

o How does the innovation solve the stated problem or create a new idea? o The innovation will help students transfer their knowledge and apply it to

a real-world situation. o The innovation will help create and support teachers who are facilitators

and instructional coaches and who empower, encourage, and shape students.

o The innovation will help create and support students who take responsibility for their learning and assessment, who manage their time

wisely, take risks, hold themselves and their peers responsible, work well on a team, and make responsible decisions.

o By creating more instructional practices of increased depth of knowledge that integrate problem solving and collaboration, the students will be better prepared to transfer and apply knowledge.

o Describe the methods or strategies to be used to achieve the goals and objectives of the innovation.

o The teachers will investigate and teams will visit schools where this type of instruction is happening more regularly (i.e. New Technology High Schools).

o Interdisciplinary teacher teams will be developed to incorporate more cross-curricula learning emphasizing collaboration and team work.

o Instructional practices will place more focus on students working in teams and collaborating with each other.

o Describe how the provision of greater flexibility and control assists the school in meeting the needs of the school's students.

o Greater control and flexibility over the school schedule will help meet the needs of the school's students by providing more time for team planning and team assessing.

o Easing the rigidity of time structures in the school will allow students to complete an entire process before moving to a new one. Instruction will be more fluid for the student.

o Include an estimation of the number of students affected by the project design, and an estimation of the number of professional staff and service personnel affected by the project design.

o Long term goal is to impact all students and professional personnel within the school. During the planning phrase, various integration methods will be explored, such as a Freshman Academy, inter-departmental team teaching, and school-wide implementation.

o How will the proposed innovation change how the school is currently operating?

o The implementation of the innovation may change the structure of the day and the schedule. Effective use of instructional time will be a key factor as this innovation is explored.

o The implementation of the innovation will change the typical teacher-active/student-passive approach to a teacher-active/student active approach.

At this time we do not anticipate needing a waiver of any state or local code or policy to implement this exploration.

Literature Review

The West Virginia Department of Education has developed a 21st century learning plan

that calls for students to develop information and communication skills, thinking and problem-

solving skills, and personal and workplace productivity skills (Global 21, 2009). As East

Fairmont High School's faculty has worked to explore pedagogical practices to become better

prepared to deliver this 2181 century learning to the students, an interest has developed in

project-based learning and cross curricular instruction. This type of instruction provides the

students with choices and more responsibility for their learning and use of time. Noddings

(2007) explains that education needs to prepare students to make well-informed choices in the

future and identifies that a new concept of education could move toward a "problem and theme

organization that emphasizes values, attitudes, flexibility, working in teams, and critical

thinking" (p. 18).

As searches for information about this type of instruction were conducted, one design

that emerged as using problem-based learning extensively is the New Tech Network design.

The New Tech Network originated in Napa, California in 1996. Currently the network is

comprised of 41 schools in nine different states. The schools utilize project-based learning as

the primary instructional approach. The network identifies key elements of their instructional

process as: engaging learners, empowering students and teachers, and integrating technology

(New Tech Network, 2009). As called for in the Global 21 plan, the students are active learners

who learn to complete complex tasks in a designated amount of time to complete a project. The

students work in teams and have responsibility that is similar to what they would experience in

a work environment.

The network boasts success at various sites. In California, the Napa New Tech School

has an average of 95% of students enrolling in post-secondary education compared with other

Napa Valley high schools only having about 4o% enrolling in post-secondary study. In the

California school 40% graduate in a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career

path. Three New Tech schools in Texas reported Reading pass rates of 9o% or higher on the

statewide TAKS test (New Tech Network, 2009). Such achievement results in this mode of

instruction are encouraging.

The Global 21 initiative calls for self-directed learners who will be successful adults. As

responsible educators, this faculty is ready to explore new practices and realizes "we must

change how we operate if we expect to change what and how children learn" (Global 21, 2009).

Exploring options such as this will help determine the best change to make to meet the needs of

students.

References

Global 21. Retrieved on December 29, 2009 from

http : //wvde. state.wv. us/glob al2i /overview. html

New Tech Network. Retrieved December 1, 2009 from

http://www.newtechfoundation.org/about.html

Noddings, N. (2007). When school reform goes wrong. New York: Teachers College Press.

Activity Quantity Estimated Price Each Subtotal Total Cost

Teacher visits to New Technology High Schools 4 4,570.00 18,280.00 (Teachers will visit in teams of 6) Expenses per trip: Hotel rooms (3 rooms for 2 nights) 6 200.00 1,200.00 Rental car to travel to visit i 300.00 300.00 Gas money and travel expenses (parking, tolls, etc.) i 100.00 100.00 Substitute teacher for 3 days for each visiting teacher 18 135.00 2,430.00 Food expense for 6 teachers for 3 days 18 30.00 540.00 Total estimated cost per trip 4,570.00

Bring educator(s) to EFHS who are experienced 3 1,700.00 5,100.00 in this type of instruction. Travel expense per visitor 1 1,200.00 Stipend for sharing expertise 1 500.00 Total estimated cost per visitor 1,700.00

Professional development for current 11,875.00 11,875.00 EFHS faculty to understand how to implement successful PBL practices and strategies into specific content areas Literature resources 15 20.00 300.00 Attendance at local university conference 15 100.00 1,500.00 Teacher stipends for extra work 20 200.00 4,000.00 Substitute funds for teachers to attend conference 15 135.00 2,025.00 Substitute funds to discuss implementation possibilities 30 135.00 4,050.00 Total estimated cost for EFHS professional development 11,875.00

Total Requested 35,255.00

Certification School/Schools Staff Commitment

Department/Departments/Subdivision/Subdivisions Staff Commitment

Use this form to report the staff commitment regarding the innovation application and plan. A copy must be forwarded to the Innovation Zone Committee with the application and the plan.

School: East Fairmont High School Department (If Applicable): Notice of Meeting (Date provided to Faculty or Department/Subdivision): November 24, 2009

Meeting Date: December i8, 2009

Faculty Senate Elected Officers:

President: (Name) Marvin Wilson Signature: e2'444...i__e_ir,.ca../ Vice-President: (Name) Rachel Merrifield Signature: 42 4z-/ -727 ---(11

Secretary: (Name) Jessica Duling Signature: ( Aha) -bat r Treasurer: (Name) Tammi Musgrove Signature: int,c,ot _cur i

Other: (Name) Signature:

Service Personnel Representative:

Name: Barbara Golden Position: Secretary

Signature:

Parent Representatives:

Name: Mike Sarsfield Signature: Name: Dina Hudson Signature: Name: Wendy DeVault Signature:'

We certify that 8o percent of the faculty affected by the application/plan has voted to support the application/plan.

(This report certification is not required of institutions of higher education in their application or plan).

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County Board or Boards Report on Innovation Application/Plan

Use this form to report the county board or boards and superintendent's support or concerns, or both, about the innovation to the principal and faculty senate. A copy must be forwarded to the Innovation Zone Committee with the application and the plan.

School: East Fairmont High School

Department (If Applicable): NA Date of School/Department/Subdivision Receipt of Application: December 1, 2009

1. Application/plan must be accompanied by Staff Commitment Certification (Phase 1 and 2) 2. Support evidence from students, parents, local school improvement council and school business

partners for the application (Phase 1)

Date of Regularly Scheduled County Board of Education Meeting: December 8, 2009

County Board of Education Elected Officers:

President: Rev. James Saunders Signature:

Members:

Name: Dr. Babette Simms Signature:

Name: Michael Welty Signature:

Name: Mary "Sis" Murray Signature:

Name: Richard Pellegrin Signature:

Report:

Concerns:

Report of the local education agency must be forwarded to school/department/subdivision for submission to West Virginia Board of Education with their application/plan.

(This report certification is not required of institutions of higher education in their application or plan).

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MARION COUNTY OARD OF EDUCATION II)

200 GASTON AVENUE FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA 26554

THOMAS K. DEADRICK TELEPHONE

SUPERINTENDENT (304) 367-2100

FAX: (304) 367-2111

East Fairmont High School Innovation Zone Grant Application December 2009 County Board Report on Innovation Application/Plan (Page 9) Attachment to Concerns

To Whom It May Concern:

At the meeting of the Marion County Board of Education on December 7, 2009, each Board Member committed on their support of the proposal of the East Fairmont High School Innovation Zone Grant Application. No concerns were noted.

Sincerely,

-d4 Thomas K. Deadrick Superintendent

TKD:ssh

Comments of support from students

I think it would be cool if we had problem based learning at EFHS. So I support this endeavor very much.

Tiffany Jaskulski

To Whom It May Concern:

I am a student at EFHS who is in favor of problem based learning. I feel my education would be enhanced with real world situations. I would benefit greatly from hands-on situations.

Thank you,

Haley Thomas

East Fairmont High School

1993 Airport Road • Fairmont, WV 26554 Telephone (304) 367-2140

Fax (304) 367-2180

Donna Hoylman Peduto, Innovation Zone Coordinator West Virginia Department of Education Office of Organizational Effectiveness and Leadership Building 6, Room 617 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East Charleston, WV 25305-0330

December 18, 2009

Mrs. Peduto.

At its December meeting, The East Fairmont High School Local School Improvement Council (LSIC) unanimously passed a resolution of support for EFHS's Innovation Zone grant application. The LSIC had membership on the team who helped write the grant proposal and as a group, provided support and feedback throughout development of the application process.

The LSIC is excited that the faculty wants to explore the New Tech High School initiative and how it's philosophies can improve instruction for EFHS students. We are especially pleased that Fairmont State University, one of our professional development school partners, has committed its support and resources to EFHS's Innovation Zone initiative.

Respectfully,

L) Cindy Horner, president East Fairmont High School Local School Improvement Council

71.."

FAMMONT Hi] STATE UNIVERSITY

School of Education, Health and Human Performance 1201 Locust Avenue Fairmont, West Virginia 26554-2470 Phone (304)367-4241 Fax (304)367-4599 www.fairmontstate.edu

TO:

PDS High School Site Coordinators PDS High School Principals PDS Superintendents PDS High School Liaisons

FROM: Van Dempsey, Dean School of Education, Health and Human Performance

DATE: November 3, 2009

RE: Informational Meeting New Tech High Schools

As Dean of the School of Education, Health and Human Performance at Fairmont State University, I would like to invite you to a meeting to introduce the possibility of a professional development initiative focused on the "New Tech High School" (NTHS) concept. This initiative is the product of a collaborative effort between the School, the FSU-PDS Partnership, and GEAR UP.

New Tech High Schools are innovative high schools that are built on a set of practices and structures that have a constructive impact on students and professionals. Currently in operation in 41 schools in 5 states, the NTHS concept focuses on fundamentally rethinking teaching and learning, student empowerment, creativity and leadership. Three key elements of the NTHS philosophy include:

1) Instructional approaches that engage learners through project-based and problem-based learning;

2) A culture that empowers teachers and students by building trust, respect, collaboration and responsibility in the learning process; and

3) The integration and use of smart technology that supports self-directed learning, collaboration and creativity.

Results from NTHS around the country show that the initiative has positive results on graduation rates, attendance, participation in post-secondary education, and performance on student achievement measures across multiple content areas.

We would like to introduce the NTHS initiative to you at a joint meeting of the FSU-PDS high schools on Thursday, November 19 at 4:00 pm in room 303 Education Building on the campus of

Fairmont State University. At this meeting we will do a preliminary assessment of PDS interest, and discuss plans for linking with GEAR UP, creating a plan for information sharing across interested schools, and develop a short term action plan. This plan may include bringing NTHS expertise to Fairmont State, and setting up potential site visits to current NTHS locations to see the work of these schools first hand. We have included a short overview of NTHS for your review in advance of the meeting. I also encourage you to go to the New Tech website at www.newtechnetwork.org .

We hope you will take this opportunity to take advantage of this informational session, and to examine this potential NTHS might have for your school. Please RSVP to Erica Garrett at 367-4177 or Erica.garrett@fairmontstate.edu by Wednesday, November 11 as to availability for the November 19 meeting. If you are interested, but cannot attend the meeting, please let us know that as well.

Thank you for considering this opportunity. We hope to see you at the meeting.