School or District Improvements

Over the last year, the leadership in Highland Park ISD has been sending teacher to training and inviting speakers to the campuses to educate teachers about 21^st century learning. Besides providing professional development opportunities for teachers, the district continues to purchase technology for schools even though many districts are cutting funding. The district has also hired a coordinator for the 21^st century learning program. The coordinator will work with teachers to incorporate global learning into the classroom. At the high school level, the district has formed a committee to investigate implementing the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The district believes this program may serve a global learning approach more than the AP program. The district is also working with SMU to create a 21^st century learning teaching certification.

The district issues a parent survey each year which they will use to determine whether the plan is effective. The superintendent and principals also meet with panels of teachers and students at least once a year to get feedback on the plan. Participation and feedback from staff development on 21 century learning will also be considered. TAKS and AP scores will also indicate the effectiveness of the program.

More and more teachers are moving away from giving paper and pencil tests and essays. Many are now giving tests online and having students submit written work electronically. This move to online tests and quizzes is creating change as teachers are developing multiple versions of tests (which reduce cheating and allow for easy modifications). Teachers who have not made changes to paper tests in years are taking the opportunity to introduce new types of questions when they put their tests online. Few teachers in my school are using alternate forms of assessment like portfolios or project-based learning. Teachers are working to incorporate more formatve assessment as a result of training in the Working on the Work program. As long as TAKS and AP success drive school ratings and college admission, I don't see much changing in assessments at Highland Park.