Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Estimating the amount of Change at Sto-Rox


Dispatch from the 1-1 Conference at PSU: Josh Lucas, CFF Coach and two colleagues told the story about the beginnings of dramatic change in culture. Essentially, whne you've hit bottom, there really is nowhere to go but up. Committment from leadership and "agitation" within the teaching corps has begun to meld into an effective learning environment. Sto-Rox deals with a community saddled with a number of long-term problems that afffect the culture within school. Since the CFF and Project 720 initiatives have started, both teachers and students are energized.
Kudos to all, and a hope for continued cultural and academic change.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Paul Curtis, New Tech Foundation

Dispatch from the 1-1 learning Conference at PSU: Paul Curtis, Chief Innovation and Academic Officer (CIAO), explained that New Tech Foundation was formed to handle all of the site visits related to New Tech High in Napa CA. Has become a professional development organization that can convert schools to 21st Century environments.
RESPECT in 20th Century schools: listen to the teacher. 21st C: cultural shift - no single right answer, trust, responsibility, respect.

Focusing on certain 21st C Skills: Worked with WestEd - what essential skills do you want all Ss to have? Allkids should know and do - every class addresses. Do that now with every school wanting to become like "New Tech High"