District Administration - February 2012 - (Page 22)

AdministratorProﬁle many shortcomings at Polk. Among them was a lack of cohesive districtwide curriculum, no robust enrollment in AP classes, an unacceptably low high school graduation rate, and an achievement disparity between minority and nonminority students. “It was clear that we had to pursue a multipronged approach to our student achievement challenge,” says Nickell. Ann Tankson, Polk’s associate superintendent of school-based learning, recalls that Nickell knew that to witness success, administrators had to “radically improve” student learning. “Not expecting to be rewarded,” says Tankson, “she started with the end in mind: to improve equity, access and excellence for all students, and especially for that underserved population.” Strategizing Success Starting in 2006, Polk rolled out initiatives in stages that by 2011 had contributed to the College Board’s recent award. Among those initiatives was the pursuit of a three-year, $2.7 million grant from the College Board with which the district created a Department of Academic Rigor. e department focused on creating STEM academies (science, technology, engineering and math) in Polk’s middle schools to cultivate a strong pipeline to the district’s high school programs. e grant allowed the district to oﬀer focused professional development for teachers and promoted student enrollment in the district’s increased AP course oﬀerings. e district also focused on Head Start, kindergarten readiness and even STEM programs at the elementary level, Tankson adds. “ ere was no magic bullet,” Nickell says of the district’s success, while crediting the eﬀorts of Polk’s former superintendent, Gail McKinzie, as well as administrators and teachers who helped the district get to where it is today. “ rough this entire [AP] initiative, Dr. Nickell has always advocated the importance of academic rigor,” says Tankson. “She knows that, as a district, the focus cannot start with AP-level courses. She has worked very hard to put in initiatives along the way to help the district meet this goal and be eligible for such an honorable distinction.” Tankson adds that, for Nickell, the award was “a way to show that we can have it all … [and that] an increase in participation does not necessarily mean a decline in performance. She was so proud that just the opposite happened.” DA Jennifer Elise Chase is a contributing writer for D A. 22 February 2012 District Administration results-oriented Attention school leaders! Success for All’s At just 60 cents a day per student with the i3 grant, Success for All is simply the best investment you can make. helping administrators transform elementary schools for more than two decades. Now you can improve and increase student achievement: $50,000 or more implementation incentives from a federal i3 award are now available to qualifying elementary schools! research-proven approach has been the culture of your school or district For more information, call (800) 548-4998, ext. 2372, or e-mail sfainfo@successforall.org. • Proven replicable • More than 30 rigorous evaluations • Highest-rated i3 scale-up winner The contents of this ad were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Investing in Innovation (i3) Program. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should Empowering Schools. Engaging Students. not assume endorsement by the Federal government. www.successforall.org http://www.successforall.org http://www.successforall.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - February 2012

District Administration - February 2012
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Conversations
Product Focus
What Can U.S. Schools Learn From Foreign Counterparts?
A New Prescription for Fighting Drug Abuse
The Game Changer
The Legal Implications of Surveillance Cameras
CIO News
Mobile Devices Drive Creative Instruction
Products
Crisis Response
Professional Opinion
Problem/Solution
New Directions

District Administration - February 2012