SCHOOL WEBSITE

PROGRAM(S) PARTICIPATED IN: Sprint 2014, Solution 2014-2015

TEAM MEMBERS

Augustine Emuwa, Vice Principal
Benjamin Passer, Diverse Learning Teacher, Coach
Nicole Fleiner, ESL Science Teacher
Janet Jones, Science Teacher

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

School Type: Neighborhood
Grades served: 9-12
Enrollment: 618

PROBLEM

Students lack the ability to self assess their level of perseverance when faced with difficult tasks.

SOLUTION

We designed activities (Grapple Labs) that are challenging to students.

KEY LEARNING

Initially our goal was to focus on test scores so we thought that we might use some kind of alternative test design.  As we were building empathy we realized that there was a problem deeper than students inability to focus on high-stakes tests.  We found that overwhelmingly students thought they were indeed performing on these exams.  Therefore we needed students to recognize that there was a gap between what they thought was focusing and persevering through the exam and what others defined as focus, perseverance and grit.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Hours input by team: 120+
• Students impacted: 24
• Additional educators impacted: 4
• Community members: 9

STUDENT REFLECTION

“Working as a part of a team, completing a difficult task is something that I haven’t experienced much of and I can build on this experience later in life when I’m met with difficult tasks.” — Student at Sullivan

PLANS TO SCALE
We would like to find a way to scale this to the entire freshman class. We would also like to see if students EPAS scores rose amongst students who were involved with this program. In addition, we would like to create a “tool kit” for students to use when they struggle.