History of the Student Success Program

1. Check List for a Student Success Friendly School • Teachers using brain compatible teaching strategies in creating brain friendly classrooms. • Students understanding the purpose of reading and constructing meaning • Teachers modeling and explicitly teaching reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing and presenting skills • Students engaging in collaborative learning experiences, with a variety of choices • Students having adequate time to process their learning and construct meaning by struggling with problem solving • Teachers guiding student learning through supported instruction and ample ongoing assessment • Visual displays of learning • Students engaging in games, manipulatives, software and other expressions of the concrete phase of learning • Students interacting with mathematics individually, with peers and teachers and taking risks in their learning of mathematics • Students are presented with exemplars of work and links to society and the world. • Teachers highlighting pathways for all students • Guidance/Student Services are welcoming and highlight and market all pathways equally • The school promotes a safe and caring environment for all • Staff are flexible and committed to do whatever it takes to ensure success • There is a pyramid of interventions in place. Initiatives Literacy – involves the development of a range of skills, knowledge and attitudes that help to prepare learners for life in a changing world community. It begins with the acquisition of skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, representing and responding. It becomes the ability to understand, think, apply and communicate effectively. Numeracy – involves numerical, spatial and data literacy. It empowers students to describe, analyse, and question the mathematics that is integral to their rapidly-evolving world. The insights gained from a rich learning environment in mathematics afford the opportunity to all students for full participation in a complex information-based society. Pathways – referstothe combination of courses and supports that make up a students educational program as they work towards a destination (work, apprenticeship, college or university). All pathways stress the Essential Skills needed for the workplace. Community, Culture and Caring –incorporates the OCDSB’s Safe and Caring Schools initiative with specific focus on developing character in our students. It is embedded in all our activities and it is specifically addressed through workshops and staff conference. E-learning - enhances and enriches the achievement of learners through flexible delivery. It promotes collaboration, literacy skills, critical thinking and deep understanding. History of the Student Success Program The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the OCDSB, initiated the Student Success program to help struggling students be successful in grades 7-12. It provides support for projects that are “good for all but necessary for some”. There are four pillars to the program: • Literacy • Numeracy • Pathways • Community Culture and Caring Program Overview There is a Student Success Teacher in every secondary school who helps students with recovering and rescuing credits. This allows students to achieve credits without repeating the whole course. We have consultant support for literacy, numeracy and pathways. The consultants provide workshops, programs and individual teacher support as we do “whatever it takes” to help a student be successful. E-learning is an opportunity that we offer our students to work on-line to allow them to get caught up on their credit accumulation. The success of the program is measured by the improvement observed across a range of nine indicators of student success.

2. Quotes from Students Involved in Student Success Programs • “I have a lot of good skills for the future.” • “This opportunity was such a big help and I hope this program goes on for many years!” • “I have learned a lot doing this and now have insight into what I want to do in life.” • “I thoroughly enjoyed my time this semester, and look forward to a potential career in the trades.” • “Awesome, very very happy we did it!!!” • “Can I do this again next year?” • “My credit recovery teacher has really helped me succeed!” Student Success in the OCDSB Cooperative Education and OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) - Through Cooperative Education, students have an opportunity to “check out” a career to determine if it is a good fit. Students can earn up to 12 credits through cooperative education. OYAP is a work experience in an apprenticeship occupation: Construction, Industrial, Motive Power, and Service Sector. OYAP and Coop allow students to “Jump Start” a career. Special Ed Peer Mediation Itinerant Support Case Study Evaluation Doctor Verification Social Work contact SST/Teacher/Parent Conference Weekly Progress Reports Good Friend Program Teacher Phone Calls to Parents Survival skills for High School Summer course Grade 9 Advisory / Mentor program Classroom level support The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board challenges all students to achieve personal excellence in learning and responsible citizenship within a safe, equitable, diverse and caring environment. Pyramid of Interventions