Secondary Academics

Goals

Middle School:

• By 2009, 95 percent of students will exit eighth grade on grade level in reading, mathematics and science (as measured by NCLB’s Adequate Yearly Progress standard).
• By 2007, the Achievement Gap will be eliminated in reading and mathematics in grades 6-8.
• Each year, all middle schools will meet or exceed their growth targets set by the State Board of Education and measured by North Carolina tests.

High School:

• By 2013, 100 percent of students will graduate from high school (as measured by the No Child Left Behind Adequate Yearly Progress standard).
• By 2009, 90 percent of graduating students will complete a college tech prep or college university prep course of study.
• By 2009, 80 percent of graduating students will meet the course requirements for admission to the University of North Carolina system.

AVID

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a program in middle and high schools that provides support for average students to become successful in a college prep program and, ultimately, to attend a 4-year college or university. AVID provides academic preparation for college, organization and study skills, ongoing writing curriculum, cultural and recreational enrichment activities, awareness of career possibilities and encouragement and support for setting and reaching goals. Eleven middle and high schools in Durham offer the AVID program.

Capturing Kids’ Hearts

All Durham middle school teachers are being trained in “Capturing Kids’ Hearts,” a program aimed at improving the relationships between students and teachers. Through this effort, teachers learn ways to connect with students so as to set rules and consequences (called social contracts) for students’ behavior in the classroom. Teachers expect that the training will result in improved behavior, attendance and relationships in school and at home.

In developing the social contracts, students answer three questions:

• How should we treat each other?
• How should we treat our teacher?
• How should we treat each other during conflict?

Riverdeep Work is under way to write goals and specify lessons that will comprise the middle and high school Curriculum Maps and pacing guides. The process involves some of the best teachers using software to outline what should be taught when, and to offer suggestions for how it should be taught. IBM’s Riverdeep Learning Village is the software tool that is being used to develop the curriculum “map.”

The map gives teachers and administrators a picture of how they teach, what resources they have to work with and how these efforts can be reflected in student achievement. It’s been described as having a “one-stop shop” for what to teach at your fingertips, “24/7.” The map ensures that curriculum is aligned across the district and enables every teacher to have easy access to resources. Since the materials are online, they can be easily updated and constantly revised. Riverdeep Learning Village allows teachers to add their own lessons to the database. These lessons can be linked to the state curriculum standards, and to other resources.

High Five Regional Partnership

High Five: Regional Partnership for High School Excellence is designed to improve the quality of education in the Triangle region, with a special focus on excellence in the region’s high schools. Education and business leaders intend to ensure that all students graduate with a high school diploma, well prepared to pursue higher education and a career of their choice. Durham, Wake, Orange, Chapel Hill-Carrboro and Johnston school districts are participating. Five area companies are funding the project at $100,000 a year for five years. They are: The News and Observer, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation, Capitol Broadcasting, Progress Energy and SAS.