B6.10 - Approve the Agreement for Technical Services #20051-ATS-IV with Premier Speakers Bureau (Leadership, Professional Development, and School Transformation)
Last year, a group of our Achievement Schools had the opportunity to attend the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. As a result of their attendance, the schools made major changes to behavior and attendance incentives and instructional strategies. All have added a house system that is having a very positive impact on overall school culture. We were planning to send more schools to visit this year, but the state cut back on allowable travel and recommended that we bring consultants from Ron Clark to the district in order to serve more teachers and staff.
We are contracting with Premier Speakers Bureau to bring Kim Bearden to lead training sessions for our Achievement Schools. She is the co-founder and executive director of the Ron Clark Academy. She will provide two 2-day trainings for up to 800 Achievement School staff that will teach educators how climate and culture should ignite a passion for learning, provide support and encouragement, reflect high expectations for student behavior, promote parental involvement, and ensure a safe, secure environment for all. These sessions will take place June 15-16 and June 25-26.
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* Improve the high school graduation rate, * Engage and communicate with families and stakeholders
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Funds in the amount of $67,000 will be available in the Title IV Grant. For tracking purposes, the project number specific to this agenda is 3744. As of March 6, 2020, the remaining balance less encumbrances for this line item equaled $67,000.
The implementation of the training at the school sites has created a collaborative climate and culture in which students feel they are part of a family and community. Potter Elementary reported there was a 50 percent decrease in the daily calls to the office for behavioral disruptions and referrals are down in core instructional classes. Their attendance this year has increased by an average of 3 percent. They noted the positive culture in the school and the fact that everyone has bonded together. The parents support the positive impact the implementation of the House System has had on the school. At Sligh Middle, the implementation of the House System has positively influenced the students with a 30 percent decrease in referrals, a 13 percent decrease in student suspensions, and a 1 percent increase in attendance over this time last year. It has helped bridge the gap between the teachers and students by helping to create a safe environment for them to learn with people they can count on. Both schools noted that the teacher retention rate for next year has increased.