Superintendent’s Corner

Mark of Excellence

March 2008

SSNP initiative gaining momentum, enhancing curriculum

On Feb. 12, district staff made a presentation to our School Board updating the community on the progress being made with our Secondary Schools of National Prominence (SSNP) initiative that is reshaping middle and high school curricula. Secondary schools around the nation are involved at various stages in high school redesign programs, and Brevard’s efforts are proceeding exceptionally well.

As you will remember from past columns and school district literature, the goal of SSNP is that “Every student will graduate from high school prepared to enter and be successful in the workplace, in further career education, and/or in postsecondary degree opportunities.” There are seven key components to this initiative which support the goal of SSNP:

• Increased Opportunities for Secondary Course Credit
• Increased Course Requirements
• Individualized Program of Study
• Rigorous Course Requirements
• Rigorous Assessment
• Professional Development
• Personalized (Small) Learning Communities

Beginning this past fall, all middle and high schools are offering a seven-period day and/or block-scheduling. Every high school student now has the opportunity to earn 28 credits in a seven-period day-scheduled school or 32 credits in a block-scheduled school and all middle school students have expanded opportunities to pursue exploratory courses.

Brevard’s aspirations for our students are ambitious, and the SSNP component “Increased Course Requirements” surpasses the requirements of both the state as well as those of national secondary school reform. Beginning with this year’s ninth graders, every high school student is required to earn four credits in each of these areas: language arts, math, science and social studies. SSNP added an additional credit not only in math, but in science and social studies as well. Additional graduation requirements include: one credit in Health Opportunities through Physical Education (HOPE); and one credit in fine or performing fine arts. In addition, BPS students are required to earn a half credit in Career Research and Decision Making, a SSNP initiative.

This is just a snapshot of some of the changes that are increasing rigor, improving relationships and maintaining relevance within our curriculum. I invite you to tune in to BPS-TV Channel 198 on Bright House cable, beginning March 23. We are preparing a special multi-part series of the Superintendent’s Forum that will examine the various components of SSNP in greater detail.

I also encourage sixth grade parents to watch for information that will be critical to planning your student’s secondary school experience. In early spring, orientation meetings at all middle schools will acquaint parents with the details of SSNP. You will also be receiving a letter from your child’s middle school guidance department that will ask you to make an appointment to meet with your child’s guidance counselor. These meetings will begin in June, 2008.

SSNP will insure that every student in the class of 2011 is ready for college or the workforce with course requirements that reflect the relationship between the real world of work and the classroom. We want to insure that all of our students are properly prepared for whatever comes next—whether it’s the workplace, college, the military, or a similar pursuit. For additional details, log on to www.brevardschools.org and click on the “Secondary Schools of National Prominence” link in the lower left corner.

Thanks to the strong support of our School Board, the hard work of our teachers, staff, administrators and district personnel, and the proactive involvement of our parents, we are laying the foundation for new levels of student achievement. I encourage you to remain engaged with SSNP and what it means for your child. We look forward to working with you!