RESPRO Showcase Schools

The following 2009-2010 Showcase School Webinars are stories of Illinois Middle and High Schools that have shown significant improvement in academic achievement in the past year. Each one of these schools was recommended by their RESPRO Coach to share their success story.

Buffalo Grove High School: Embracing Restructuring for Action

Presented by Principal Carol Burlinski and Associate Principal Susan Carley (2114 students, North Suburbs of Chicago).
View the webinar (32:44)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IA15, IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IC03, IC07

Take away themes:
Restructuring with a well-defined purpose
Book studies
Professional learning communities
NSDC Learning School Alliance

Buffalo Grove High School has set its sights on preparing students for college and career by creating systems to ensure that students will be successful. To that end, the restructuring efforts of the school bring focus far beyond simple AYP deficiencies. Building on a district culture that is using data and results as a foundation, district staff established three key benchmarks for success: 

1.Each subgroup will show 10% increase in EXPLORE to ACT growth over the previous year’s cohort
2.Reduce D and F grades by 5% a year until students achieve a 95% success rate
3.50% of all students will be successful in one Advanced Placement course prior to graduation

A school leadership team serves the staff using data as the trigger for change, fostering teacher collaboration, providing substantive professional development embedded in the school weekly calendar.

Additional Resources:

Download the Power Point Presentation
Download the Intervention Responsibilities Template Tier 1-3
Download the Closed Study Document
Download the Credit Recovery Center Document
Download the Goals Cover Sheet
Download the Counselor Referrel Form
Download the Test Make-Up Document 
Download the Resources Document 
Visit the School's Website 

Danville High School: Radical Redirection Towards Student Learning

Presented by Principal Mark Neil of Danville High School (1755 students, Central Illinois) and Erica Uskali RESPRO Consultant from Regional Office of Education 54.
View the webinar (31:54)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IC07

Take away themes:
Broad overhaul and redirection
Small learning communities
New tech high
Rigor, relevance and relationships

Danville High does not take the opportunity to influence students’ futures lightly. In recent years, staff realized that the traditional high school approach was failing great numbers of the students. Instead of soft steps to restructure the school, district and school planners took bold action to especially a strong core curriculum serving students in four distinct learning communities. Teacher buy-in, well-focused preparation and ongoing professional development are paving the way for the plan to be rolled out over time. Rigor, relevance, and relationships underpin the roll out in the small learning communities.

Additional Resources:

Download the Power Point Presentation
Download ACE Brochure
Download Global House Brochure
Download New Tech Brochure
Take the Virtual Tour!
Visit the School's Website

Egyptian MS-CUSD 5: Differentiated Instruction Utilizing Technology

Presented by Technology Coordinator Melody Rose, Special Ed Coordinator Betty Green (577 Total Students, 101 MIddle School, Southern Illinois), and RESPRO Consultant Linda Davis.
View the webinar (19:41)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IC07

Take away themes:
Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement

Melody Rose, Technology Coordinator, Betty Green, Special Education Coordinator and Linda Davis, RESPRO Coordinator, share their story on how integrating technology into the curriculum improved teacher instruction and student achievement in the Egyptian middle school. Egyptian CUSD#5 received an Enhancing Education Through Technology (E2T2) grant to enable this rural middle school to provide technology tools and professional development for their middle school classrooms.

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Download the Presentation Handout
Visit the District's Website

Elgin District U-46: It Takes a Village...Improving Student Achievement

Presented by: Carol DePue, Director of Career Education in District U-46
View the webinar (27:47)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IC07

This webinar presents an overview of the continuous journey of a large, suburban, unit school district to improve student achievement. An instructional model involving staff in the SIP process of developing and delivering rigorous, relevant, BEST practice instruction will be shared.

About the presenter:

Carol DePue, Director of Career Education in District U-46 and Northern Kane Region 110 Systems Director brings 30 years of teaching and administrative experience to her current position. Her passion for curriculum and instruction and vision for education provide insight into the challenges posed in the SIP and instructional process. She has a BS in Education from Eastern Illinois University, MS in Education from University of Illinois and Type 75 certification from Aurora University. She has taught HS/MS and was a CTE Instructional Chair prior to accepting her current position with District U-46.

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Visit the District's Website

Harper High School: School Stabilization - Improving Climate and Culture

Presented by Principal Kenyatta Stansberry, Chief Dean Angel Johnson and Deputy Cleo Aquino (730 students, Chicago Public School).
View the webinar (35:24)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IC05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IB09, IB10, IB11, IB12, IC07, IA14, IA15, IC02

Take away themes:
School Turnarounds
Total staff involvement for well managed classrooms
Before and after school opportunities and partnerships
Behavior Incentives and Compensations
Peer Juries
Peace Circles
Parent Meetings
In/After School Personal Development

The persistence of single digit scores for students on the PSAE was just one reason why the City of Chicago significantly disrupted the status quo to turn around Harper High School. The district released all but about 10% of the staff to participate in the restructuring effort with a principal provided tools and resources to effect needed change. Whole staff commitment, consistency, and ongoing collaboration with the Office of School Turnarounds have been key ingredients. The pay off in the school culture already shows significant benefits for students. Harper High is becoming a place where students want to be and where staff are working to be in tune with student needs and their achievement.” 

Additional Resources:

Download the Power Point Presentation
Visit the School's Website

Moline High School: Using Data to Raise Student Achievement

Presented by Dr. William "Bill" Burrus, Principal, Wayne Cabel, Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Assessment, and Terry Gackle, RESPRO Coach for Moline High School and Rock Island County ROE. (2152 students, Northwestern Illinois).
View the webinar (21:57)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IB09, IC07

Take away themes:
Using Data
Teaming
Shared responsibility for learning acroos the curriculum
Moving from content to skills based curriculum

Moline High School worked to reorganize their administrative team and embedded regular time for staff. Collaboration paved the way for Moline High School to establish data teams as the hub of their continuoous improvement efforts. The result is a learning community moving together as one team, sharing responsibility for learning. The leadership team trained the whole staff over time to collect data. The data are the concrete proof that efforts are paying off.

Additional Resources:

Download the Power Point Presentation
Download the Data Team Checklist
Visit the School's Website

Mundelein High School: Continuing the Journey of Curriculum Alignment at the Secondary Level

Presented by Superintendent Dr. Jody Ware, Principal Lauren Fagel and Lake County ROE RESPRO Consultant Margo Schmitt (2317 students, Northern Chicago Suburb).
View the webinar (21:46)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IB09, IC07

Take away themes:
District-Wide Vision
Shared Belief System
Power Standards
Instructional Objectives
Common Assessment
Professional Learning Communities

Keeping “all the planets aligned” with the glue of a district-wide vision is bringing about needed change at Mundelein High. Staff is keeping a tight rein on their practice through the development and implementation of power standards, instructional objectives, and common assessments—the product of their professional learning communities.

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Visit the School's Website

Rockford East High School: Creating a Culture of Academic Change

Presented by Principal Mark Wallace, and School Improvement Coaches Sherry Guarino and Barbara LaSalle from the Boone/Winnebago Regional Office of Education (1457 students, Urban School in Northern Illinois).
View the webinar (24:05)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IB09, IB10, IC03, IC07

Take away themes:
Rigor/Relevance/Relationship Framework
“Bell to Bell Teaching”
Teacher Collaboration for Change
Quick Wins for Struggling Students in the Core Programs

Rockford East High School is revamping school culture to bringing relevance and rigor to teaching and learning. Change process reflects the specific flavor of the staff in the culture and traditions of the school. The principal and school improvement coaches share key experiences that can be readily replicated in other schools .

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Download Literacy Brochure
Download Numeracy Brochure
Download Rigor and Relevance Brochure
Download Student Empowerment Brochure
Download Unity of Purpose Brochure 
Download Quadrant Lesson Plan
Download Quadrant Lesson Plan Example 
Visit the School's Website

Southview Middle School, Danville: Putting the Essential Pieces Together

Presented by Principal Brenda Yoho of South View Middle School (620 students, Central Illinois) and Erica Uskali, RESPRO Consultant from Regional Office of Education 54.
View the webinar (23:55)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IC01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IB09, IC07

Take away themes:
Co-teaching
Shared mission
Student relationships

A success story: this school staff implemented restructuring and “got off the list”! But implementation continues as staff build strong relationships with students and keep track of their learning.

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Download RtI Checklist Handout
Download Weekly Team Summary Handout
Download Essential Questions Handout 
Visit the School's Website

Urbana High School: Living Out Our Mission

Presented by: Dr. Laura Taylor, Principal of Urbana High School (1,100 students, Central Illinois) and Erica Uskali, RESPRO Consultant from Regional Office of Education 9.
View the webinar (23:54)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IC07

Take away themes:
Social justice
Professional learning community committed to shared mission
Relationship and student supports
Shared leadership
Freshman focus

Prior to school restructuring, staff faced the brutal reality that students did not have equitable access to curriculum. This was especially detrimental to black males. Staff did not make excuses but sought solutions that have galvanized them to focus on learning. They have eliminated basic courses and ramped up supports for students. School restructuring efforts have resulted in dramatic changes in discipline referrals, reduced truancy, and suspensions. The freshman team fosters positive student teacher relationships and ensures that all students have staff paying attention to them and their learning. Subgroup performance that jumpstarted redirection of school practices and policies is proving beneficial for all students. An outgrowth of this work is an ongoing focus on social justice.

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Download Student Support Log handout
Download RtI Pyramid handout
Download Team Problem Solving Handout
Visit the School's Website

Virginia Schools CUSD 64: Successes and Struggles

Presented by: Superintendent Lynn Carter and Principal Christy Brinkley of Virginia Schools CUSD 64 (409 students PreK-12, Central Illinois).
View the webinar (35:44)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IA15, IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IB09, IB10, IC07

Take away themes:
Restructure and redirection
Small Learning Communities
Rigor/Relevance
Relationship building and student supports

Lynn Carter, Superintendent and Christy Brinkley, Principal, share the story of leading a small, isolated, rural school through the process of change. This webinar shares how administration, staff, students and community members have worked together to transform the educational experience for all students into a positive, collaborative environment.

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Visit the School's Website

Yorkville Middle School: Building-wide Strategies for Improvement

Presented by Principal Jeff Szymczak of Yorkville MS (800 students, large suburban Middle School) and RESPRO Consultant Marge Gallagher.
View the webinar (19:27)

>RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IC07

Take Away Themes:
CRISS
Learning vs. teaching
Middle school model

Yorkville Middle School district's rapid growth meant that this school physically moved several times until it has landed in a new building constructed with middle school students in mind. This webinar will share steps on how they incorporated programs like CRISS into their existing School Improvement Plan. Examples of implementation and tools used to measure its impact on their educational program will be shared during this online session.

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Download Items for Higher Achievement Handout
Download Project CRISS Handout
Visit the School's Website
Watch "Eliminate It!" Rap Video by YMS Students

Click the YMS program titles below to view event pictures:
Wheel of Wisdom
These pictures are a Yorkville Middle School Student Council project. The Advisory class created pumpkin designs and then students donated money to Character Counts! for their favorite pumpkin. They raised over $350.

Great Migration Experience
Yorkville Middle School has many Interdisciplinary Units offered at throughout the school year, including the Great Migration Unit. Students are available to answer questions about their researched area. Some of the teachers also give first person accounts as historical figures (Abe Lincoln and George Washington) to name a few.

Square Dance Jubilee
744 Yorkville middle schoolers square dance at the same time. This could very well be a world record! Yorkville Middle School is going for 752 or more middle school students square dancing at the same time this December 18, 2009.

Goblin Gallop
Yorkville Middle School has an annual tradition of running around their school building (.44 miles). The PTO provides hot chocolate.

Academic Olympic International Festival
Please listen to the webinar to find out more details about the Academic Olympic International Festival held at Yorkville Middle School.

Zadok Casey Middle School: Working Smarter Not Harder

Presented by Assistant Principal Shannon Marler and Lori Given, ROE 25 RESPRO Consultant (448 Students, Grades 6-8, Southern Illinois).
View the webinar (20:10)

RISING STAR INDICATORS
This webinar provides a non-exhaustive set of examples of Rising Star Indicators of Effective Practice:
IB01, IB02, IB04, IB05, IB06, IB07, IB08, IC07

Take away themes:
PBIS
Data Driven Decision Making
Unintended Positive Consequences

Learn how Zadok Casey Middle School implements PBIS to improve student behavior, parent involvement, teacher morale and more.

Additional Resources:
Download the Power Point Presentation
Download the Presentation Handout
Visit the District's Website

*For Purposes of compliance with Section 511 of P.L. 101-166 (the "Stevens Amendment"), applicants are advised that 100 percent of the funds for the RESPRO program are derived from federal sources.

© All materials copyrighted by IPA and/or presenters.