DSST: New Visions

“Organizations learn only through

individuals who learn. Individual learning does not guarantee

organizational learning. But without it no organizational learning occurs”

- Peter Senge from The Fifth Discipline

Our Guiding Thought…

The Denver School of Science and Technology is dedicated to providing a diverse student body with an outstanding liberal arts secondary education with a science and technology focus. By creating a powerful learning community centered on core values and a shared commitment to academic excellence, DSST will increase the number of underrepresented students (women, minorities and economically disadvantaged) who attain college science and liberal arts degrees. DSST graduates will be responsible, engaged citizens who are prepared to be leaders of the future.

Mission Statement

Vision Statement To become a premiere secondary school in

Colorado where 100% of our students meet state standards in math, science and English in our Prep Academy.

To create an innovative school where students acquire a rigorous academic foundation that they can apply to the community and world around them in meaningful ways.

To create an academic program where 100% of our students earn college acceptance and are prepared to successfully earn a college degree.

To graduate students with character and a sense of civic responsibility of whom a significant percentage will assume leadership positions in an increasingly scientific based society.

To be an innovative and model school that helps redefine the American high school experience.

Core Values

Respect Responsibility Integrity Courage Curiosity Doing Your Best

Where we came from First Day of School Ever….

at the Beuf

4 Years: Who Have We Become?

Mission, Vision and Values

Student growth: academics and character

Excellence Caring and

Accountability Team: Personal and

Professional Learning

Organization

4 Years: What We Have Accomplished

Top Performing HS in Colorado: Growth and Performance

Only HS ever in CO to earn Significant Improvement 3 years

100% 75 graduates National Model Started MS

HS: Where are We Going?

Completed the building of a four year program – Improve what was created

MS: Where are we going?

Building out the 6-12 model - Creating the highest performing MS in Colorado

Taking Stock: How Are We Doing Meeting Our Vision?

Vision #1 To become a premiere secondary school in

Colorado where 100% of our students meet state standards in math, science and English in our Prep Academy.– Top performing HS in Colorado on CSAPS in

growth & performance serving similar demographic.

– Our overall proficiency scores down in 2007-08– Awaiting Growth Scores from this year –

indications are 9th grade – flat, 10th grade - down

CSAP Results: 9th Grade9th Grade 2008 CSAP - % Proficient & Advanced

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9th Explore Results

9th   2006-07     2007-08  

ExplorePre-Test

Post-Test Growth

Pre-Test

Post-Test Growth

             

Reading 15.0 18.0 3.0 15.2 17.1 1.9

English 14.8 16.7 1.9 15.0 17.0 2.0

Math 15.9 18.7 2.8 15.6 19.1 3.5

Science 16.0 17.0 1.0 16.1 18.7 2.6

Composite 15.6 17.5 1.9 15.5 17.8 2.3

CSAP Results: 10th Grade10th Grade 2008 CSAP % Proficient & Advanced

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CSAP – Achievement Gap Aggregate Data Class of 2011

White African - Am Hispanic Afri/Hispanic Gap Non FRL FRL FRL GAP

06-07 AVG 88% 55% 56% 55% 33% 70% 51% 19%07-08 AVG 82% 71% 63% 67% 15% 73% 70% 3%Growth -6% 16% 7% 12% -18% 3% 19% -16%

Racial Gap : Closed by 18% to 15% difference vs. DPS 30% gap

Income Gap: Closed by 16% to 3% - roughly no gap compared to DPS at 26% gap

Average Scale Scores by Ethnicity show same results

Not all good: White scores went down

10th Grade DSST FL vs. DPS Total10th Grade 2008 CSAP % Proficient & Advanced (DSST FL)

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10th Plan Results

10th   2006-07     2007-08  

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Test Growth

             

Reading 16.8 18.9 2.1 17.5 17.8 0.3

English 17.1 18.8 1.7 18.4 18.3 -0.1

Math 18.8 21.6 2.8 19.3 21.1 1.8

Science 19.1 20.4 1.3 18.5 19.4 0.9

Composite 18.0 20.0 2.0 18.2 19.2 1.0

Vision #2

To create an innovative school where students acquire a rigorous academic foundation that they can apply to the community and world around them in meaningful ways.– Senior Projects: a solid first year– 100% of Juniors placed in a summer

experiences– Internship Program – a strong second year – Addition of Service Learning Program/NHS

growth

Vision #3

To create an academic program where 100% of our students earn college acceptance and are prepared to successfully earn a college degree.– 100%– 73 of 78 seniors graduated on time – rest

finishing– ACT Scores: 7th highest in the state: 6.6% FRL

schools above us– AP Scores: 81% pass rate vs. 63% national– How our graduates do in college?

ACT Results Summary2008 ACT Test Results

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ACT Results Highlights

3.7% Growth on Pre-Post Tests 2nd highest in the state in math 5th highest in the state in science 10th highest in the state in English 28th highest in reading in state ACT 11th Grade scores – largest

gains

11th ACT Growth Results

11th   2006-07     2007-08  

ACTPre-

TestPost-

Test GrowthPre-

TestPost-

Test Growth

             

Reading 20.3 22.9 2.6 19.6 22.5 2.9

English 17.7 23.2 5.5 18.9 22.9 4.0

Math 21.4 24.6 3.2 21.7 24.9 3.2

Science 19.8 23.6 3.8 20.4 24.3 3.9

Composite 19.9 23.7 3.8 20.1 23.8 3.7

2008 AP Results

    Totals Avg.

Number taking test   94  

Average Score   3.7  

5 Scores   33 35%

4 Scores   25 27%

3 Scores   18 19%

1-2 Scores   18 19%

% Passing Rate   81% 100%

AP Pass Rate: 81% vs. National rate of 63%

100% Passing rates achieved in Calculus, Physics II, English, Computer Science

62% of scores were 4s and 5s

Average Score 3.7

Vision #4

To graduate students with character and a sense of civic responsibility of whom a significant percentage will assume leadership positions in an increasingly scientific based society.– Senior Project, Internship Program, NHS,

Athletics, Service Learning, Clubs to develop future leaders

– The Graduation Ceremony exemplified the character of this class.

– Time will tell as students enter the world…– An area to grow..

Vision #5 To be an innovative and model school that helps

redefine the American high school experience.– Changed the conversation locally: – Professional Learning Exemplar Site for Texas– “Based on the results you have gotten, DSST is

one of the premier STEM models in the country. “ Steve Seleznow, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

– Completing the articulation of our model per our Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (link)

– Next Challenge: Scale

What People Have Been Saying About DSST

“We have to make sure the [DSST] model of emphasizing the community and the individual spreads throughout Colorado. DSST is having results better than we dared to imagine.” Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien - April 2008

What People Have Been Saying About DSST

“DSST has forced a new conversation in education and shown what can be done. DSST has become a destination of inspiration across the district.” – Michael Bennet– April 2008

What People Have Been Saying About DSST

“DSST has become that model the City can be proud of by educating all students and sending them all to college.” Mayor John Hickenlooper – April 2008

Student Reflection I can’t really put in words how thankful I am being a

graduate from the Denver School of Science and Technology. I often look back and remember my very first day. To be honest with you I didn’t like the school at first and often times wanted to leave, but I stuck with it because I knew that no where else I was going to get the education I received at DSST. You were always there for me, and I know that you’ll continue to be there throughout college if not life. At Regis I plan to major in psychology and go on to become a clinical psychologist and work with kids. I look back at my freshman and sophomore year and think to myself that I have grown and matured so much! I remember saying that all I was going to do in life was to drop out of high school, get married, and become a housewife. Then junior year came, and I started thinking realistically. It was in my junior year where I finally knew what I wanted to do with my life, and it didn’t include marriage or kids right now. Now I’m on my way to college and bigger and brighter things. - Maricela Reyes – Class of 2008.

Parent ReflectionDSST started with an idea that given the right setting, goals and opportunity students can succeed.  By staying true to those ideals, they have achieved those goals and started a wonderful new trend showing what is possible. Expectations were set high and remained high as students were challenged to reach those goals.  Support was provided with small class sizes, tutoring, and any additional support to keep each child achieving at their highest level.  There was never any questions that DSST staff was preparing their students for college. - Sarah Jones, parent of Tera Jones Class of 08 attending Pomona College

Where Do Go From Here - HS

DSST HS: Improve what we built – we have a long way to go….– Improve student learning growth– Strengthen teaching and learning– Decrease number of retained students – Continue to build a high student

engagement culture– Send more students to four year college– Model learning culture…

Where do we go from here - MS

Build the best middle school in the state of Colorado:– Build a culture of excellence– Laser focus on student achievement– Build on the strengths of the HS– Learn from the mistakes of the HS

2008-09 Shared HS & MS Focus

Instruction, Instruction and InstructionSimplification of instructional systems –

stronger implementationSingular focus on standards – daily

outcomes, tracking, and use of data for immediate feedback

Consistent implementation of improved instructional strategies to maximize student achievement

Sense of Urgency in Classrooms

More effectively, Not More

This does not mean working more – it means working more effectively. A unified instructional system – less

systems work, more instructional workYear-long focus on teaching and learning

strategiesMore time: More

instructional/department meeting time

What Does the Future Hold?

A fully developed 6-12 model that could achieve 100% proficiencies in 10th grade

Accelerated curriculum by one year 100 Graduates from DSST a year A network of DSST’s in the Greater

Denver Metro Area that could send up to 500 students to four year college annually.

Extraordinary Opportunity

Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation. - Everett Koop

Extraordinary Opportunity

We all have an extraordinary opportunity to change students’ lives.

The eyes of the city, state, country on us

Increase the number of students going to four year college = changed lives

Indirectly impact thousands Model learning organization