To:

Members, Board of Education

From:

Terry B. Grier, Ed.D.

Date:

December 15, 2006

RE:

Update on Low Performing High Schools

Over the last two years, standards and expectations for high schools have been steadily increasing, first through Judge Manning’s rulings in the Leandro case, and more recently through Governor’s Easley’s Initiatives.  

This update (see enclosed summary) will include:

• A brief summary of the history of rising expectations for high schools and the Guilford County high schools expected to reform or reorganize to meet these expectations.  These high schools include: Andrews, Dudley, High Point Central, NCA&T Middle College and Bennett Middle College. Southern and Eastern would be involved next year if their performance composite is less than 70 percent at the end of this school year
• The framework for action plan and leadership facilitator assigned to affected high schools
• The requirement that high schools select a DPI approved model to either reform or reorganize by January 30, 2007, and use the remainder of this year to plan for full implementation of the selected model for the 2007-08 school year
• A brief description and plan for investigating the models available for choice
• The State Board of Education expectations and requirements for the district, superintendent and local board of education, to support the implementation of these reforms/reorganization models

The principal and instructional improvement officers for these high schools will also be available to answer any questions the board may have.

Attachment - Report