Many high schools across the country are finding that what happens during 9th grade is key to the overall success of any great high school. Following a needs assessment and data analysis, these schools have created 9th grade initiatives that feature a myriad of strategies, including small learning communities, class size adjustments, academic interventions, looping, mentoring, tutoring, and rigorous and relevant instructional approaches developed to make the high school transition more accommodating for students. All have one thing in common – an uncompromising commitment not to allow freshmen to fail. This workshop will discuss these strategies and what is involved when educators make an extraordinary commitment to 9th grade success. The workshop is based on the International Center’s resource kit, Reinventing 9th Grade – Academics Through Personalization.

Objectives

• Identify the planning questions that school leaders should consider
• Identify the structural options being used by high performing schools
• Learn strategies being employed by model schools
• Identify the transition strengths and areas needing improvement in their own schools
• Develop an action plan to begin planning for transition year improvements

Related Resources

• Reinventing 9th Grade — Academics Through Personalization
• Leading Change in High Schools
• America’s Most Successful High Schools — Case Studies and Resources on Best Practices