School Development Model

One insight we have developed as we worked through our first year is that our school have three spheres that guide our growth and serve as a basis for how the entire school community is evaluated. These interlocking spheres are:

1. Our School's Programming - the actives, interactions, and experiences used to facilitate learning. We have identified two critical factors that drive achievement within this sphere. They are the RELATIONSHIPS that are developed with in our school community and the RESPONSIBILITIES expected by the school community for all members performance.
2. Our School's Climate - the actives, interactions, and experiences used to develop personal character and habits of the mind. The two essential factors essential in this sphere are the REASON individuals apply to their actions and the RISK TAKING skills helping members step from their comfort zone to explore new learning.
3. Our Schools Performance Outcomes - the actives, interactions, and experiences used to assess what learners know and are able to do. The two essential factors essential in this sphere are the RIGOR through which individuals perform and the RELEVANCE these outcome have to students lives and the expectations our our world.
   

Second Year at IT Central

The Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central opened its door for it second year this September. I addition to the 85 students returning as Sophomores we welcomed 130 Freshmen. Our goal is to grow our population to four classes (grades 9 through 12) to 130 each for a total population between 500 and 600 students. Our school opened under a cloud as lawmakers struggle to find funding for the school's renovation. The focus of the staff has shifted away from the development of the physical structure to the development of a world class Career and Technical Education program where students will excel within our current facilities.

The bright spot was the achievement of our sophomores. During our first year all students received at least 3 credits toward graduation and passed at least one regents examination. 78% of our students received at least 6.5 credits and passed at least 2 regents examinations needed for graduation. 28% of our students have earned at least 13.5 credits and have passed at least three regents examinations. This means that over a quarter of our students have Junior standing. Our freshman programming follows the Johns Hopkins Talent Development Model. Through this program students take three Regents Level courses needed to meet New York State Performance Standards. These courses are Algebra, US. History and Government, and Living Environment of Earth Science. Our students out performed all others in the Syracuse City School District.