From 2006 to 2009, in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia, the Ed Fund began a strategic planning process focusing on secondary education reform. This process convened students, parent organizations, and a wide array of education professionals to evaluate the needs of the schools and strategies for improvement. The process involved over 800 individuals through a variety of events and interviews with the purpose of gathering together relevant opinions and perspectives regarding the current state of secondary schools in the District and what key components were essential in improving secondary schools.
The Secondary Education Blueprint, a five-year work plan, was a result of this process.
The Blueprint establishes a robust, research-based framework and design process that is both self-sustaining and was intended to guide continuous program improvement for students in grades 6 through 12 over a five year period. The five areas of focus of the Blueprint are:
- Personalized learning environments that pays attention to each student's needs so that no one falls through the cracks; leading to higher achievement and a positive school climate, including respect, safety and concern for each student
- Increase high quality teaching and learning and establish a rigorous curriculum for all students
- Provide adequate guidance and counseling services; academic, career, personal and social
- Conduct programs to get youth who have dropped out of school to return to school (re-engagement programs)
- Develop partnerships among parents, school, community and stakeholders (to bring resources and support to our children)
Seven Targets for Student Success
Seven Blueprint identified targets of student success (from the Blueprint)
1. Increase on-time progress, 6th–12th grades (make sure that students get promoted on time)
2. Increase the 9th grade promotion rate
3. Increase performance on PSSA (Pennsylvania System for School Assessment)
4. Raise high school graduation rates
5. Re-engage out of school youth
6. Increase readiness and success for post-secondary higher education and career pathways
7. Improve school climate indicators
The Steering Committee, selected to represent diverse perspectives and interests of the Cit of Philadelphia's key sectors, stakeholders, and demographic composition, monitored the Blueprint process.
Throughout the Secondary Education Blueprint process, the Ed Fund and the School District of Philadelphia invited a series of national experts to share perspective, insight, and guidance for this work. They included: Warren Simmons, Nancy Aronson, Thomas Smith, Constancia Warren, Deana Burney, Naomi Housman, William Kennedy, and Willard Dagget.
We are pleased that important elements of the Secondary Education Blueprint have been included in Imagine 2014, School District of Philadelphia Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's new strategic plan. Moreover, the work lives on as we kick off a campaign to engage communities around several large comprehensive high schools as advocates for quality secondary education.
> Learn about the Blueprint in local school reform