SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT ACCELERATION PLAN IN EFFECT
Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced that the Harrisburg School District Achievement Acceleration Plan has been completed and that implementation will begin immediately. The primary focus of the Plan is to increase the pace of test score improvement by students.
Reed said the Plan is the outcome of an intensive, multi-month process of reviewing the District. Last Summer, the Mayor engaged the Center for Effective Schools at the University of Oklahoma to do the initial review. This review was then followed by a second study conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s (PDE) contracted services with Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Data Driven Reform in Education (CDDRE). The District also conducted an extensive internal critical analysis.
The Mayor said the Plan is based on demonstrated best practices in education. The District annually updates its Improvement Plan and submits it to PDE for approval. The Acceleration Plan is a major addition to the Improvement Plan with particular focus on improving student achievement as measured by the PSSA.
Extensive input in this planning process was received from national education research and development sources, the Capital Area Intermediate Unit (CAIU), and PDE. CAIU Executive Director Amy Morton has been chosen by PDE Secretary Gerald Zahorchak as his representative for the implementation of the Harrisburg School District Achievement Acceleration Plan.
Reed said, "The Harrisburg School District, seven years ago, was in very serious decline. It was essentially dysfunctional to the point that the high school could not even issue report cards in the first half of the school year. Many classrooms had few, if any, books or teaching materials. Curriculum was outdated and, in some subject areas, non-existent. More seniors were in the criminal justice system than graduated in the year 2000.
"Enrollment then was at 7,000 students and the state Department of Education, at that time, projected the District would further decline to fewer than 4,800 students by 2007.
"Extensive and systemic reforms and improvements have been undertaken since. It has been a long and arduous process. Successful initiatives have included the Alternative Education Program, the Early Childhood Program, The Career and Technology Academy, the Science and Technology High School, the Math and Science Academy, creation of medical and dental services and centers, District literacy initiatives, teacher training, the renovation and upgrade of school buildings, the reorganization of the High School into smaller learning communities, the Academic Credit Recovery Program, the annual Summer School, greatly expanded use and access of laptops and computers, the Infant Care Program, the High School College Dual Enrollment Program, and a host of other initiatives have been conducted as a result.
"The results thus far include:
o The number of students graduating in June has increased 116%
o The number of graduates going on to higher education has risen 383%
o The dropout rate has declined from 8.4% in 2001 to 4.8% in 2006
o The teenage pregnancy rate has dropped 35%
o Enrollment has increased 39.4%
"While test scores have shown improvement, they have not been anywhere near where they should be. It is for this reason that, utilizing both external and internal resources, it was important to take a snapshot of exactly where the District stands and what further can be done. That is the process this office initiated and which has resulted in the Acceleration Plan now in effect.
"The basis for all instruction must be on several key principals:
o Every child can learn and every child can succeed
o High expectations for learning and behavior must be expected of all students and all District personnel
o Curriculum must be based on state standards
o Teaching will include not only academics but also social skills and character development
"With more than 90% of the District’s students living at or below poverty level, the District must deal with challenges and issues affecting educational preparedness beyond that which any other district in the region must contend. This is why the District’s student support services, another of the major initiatives of the past seven years, remains crucial," said Reed.
"What is even more critical is for all to understand that education is the only proven means of eliminating poverty and dependency, of improving one’s standard of living, and of raising income levels and creating new, positive opportunities. For many of Harrisburg’s children and young adults, the educational system is their best hope for having a better life and a lifetime of success.
"Education is what created the American middle class. It is what propelled this nation to be the largest national economy in the world. Our nation’s competitiveness is directly tied to how well we prepare today’s young generation and, in Harrisburg, we embrace that challenge with zeal and unconditional determination."
Reed said the Achievement Acceleration Plan is comprehensive, focuses on curriculum, and provides further professional development for educators. The Plan sets forth specific goals and timelines.
A summary of Plan provisions includes:
Overall instructional goals to be achieved in 2008-2009:
1. Full implementation of PK-5 EveryDay Math
2. Full implementation of 4-8 PowerTeaching in Math Classes
3. Full implementation of 4-5 Literacy Handbooks with the assistance of CAIU
4. Full implementation of 6-8 Success for All Reading Edge Program
5. Second full year implementation of PK-3 Comprehensive Literacy
6. Maintenance of social/emotional programs for PK-12
7. Maintenance of Learning Focused Schools implementation
8. Review of all intervention strategies and programs to ensure alignment with core curriculum
9. Complete plan for 6-12 math curriculum/program based on evaluation by CAIU of current math curriculum/program, including initial training in preparation for 2009-2010 implementation
10. Complete plan for 9-12 reading curriculum/program based on evaluation of current reading curriculum/program, including initial training in preparation for 2009-2010 implementation
These instructional goals address concerns expressed in both external evaluation reports on the Harrisburg School District. All efforts will be implemented with support from CAIU and are focused on:
a. A single core reading program for each program level (PK-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12)
b. A single core math program for each program level (PK-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12)
c. One proven approach to social/emotional learning for each program level (Responsive Classroom, Developmental Designs, PATHS)
d. Continued implementation of a structured lesson design (EATS) in all grade levels and all content areas (new PowerTeaching for Math 4-8)
e. One foundational approach to building teachers’ capacity for research-based instructional planning and strategies for all subject areas (Learning Focused Schools)
f. Elimination of any supplemental/intervention programs or strategies which do not support the core programs in reading and math
g. Ongoing development/implementation of data-informed instructional decision-making
Reed said that a new division of the Mayor’s Office, the Office of Oversight and Review, will be established to oversee and monitor the Plan’s progress and assure accountability.
Reed praised state Secretary of Education Gerald Zahorchak and other top staff of the department, along with CAIU Executive Director Amy Morton, Superintendent Gerald Kohn and District staff for the "exceptional amount of time" that has been devoted to the now-completed review and planning process.
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