Reading Reflection 2 - BPHS

3- Climate is probably the most important because it is really the broadest and affected by all of the other practices at the school. BPHS creates a climate that provides comprehensive support and structure for all students (#4) by restructuring the school (#5) and creating new professional roles (#6). I think the size of the school has a lot do do with creating that environment and so did giving voice and leadership to teachers and students. This allows them to create curriculum paths to success (#1) by empowering teachers and students (#2) to work together to create comprehensive accountability and assessment (#3).

2- Vista HS attempted to restructure the school (#5) in a couple of different ways. They used a block schedule, had an hour on Monday set aside for teachers to meet and plan, had 30 minutes of ssr four times a week and gave students an extended learning period (ELP) to get tutoring or meet with campus clubs. The Monday meetings usually ended in squabbling and accomplished little. ELP was great for students to have time to get help with work or clarification before a test or big assignment. I think the SSR was also beneficial because it ensured that all students were reading on a daily basis (though what they read was not often challenging). I think the ELP and SSR were designed to give more comprehensive support to all students (#4) because they were able to choose where to go and what to work on. By giving them this choice they were able to establish priorities and time management.

1- I think the size will be the hardest to keep down. As/if the school succeeds, more students/parents will want to be a part of the school and enrollment numbers will be pushed up. Also, as/if budget becomes an issue it might be likely that they will have to increase class sizes and cut teachers or increase enrollment to get more funding. Either way, the school will probably end up bigger than they had originally planned.