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Portales High School, New Mexico
New Mexico School Implements A+® for Effective Credit Recovery
Student gains in confidence and credits increases school graduation rate.
School Location: Portales, NM
Challenge: Increase in student dropout rate due to lack of credit recovery options.
Solution: Implementation of the A+nyWhere Learning System for credit recovery created opportunities for student success and credit retention.
Result: Thorough credit recovery program reduced dropout rate of students and prevented re-classification of grade level – allowing students to graduate with their class.
Past students who have completed their requirements for credit recovery come back to visit. There has been a dramatic change, a new level of respect created between the A+ teacher and the administrators of Portales High School.
Time and time again, Kileen Lynch-Tapia was told her program was too strict and the program wouldn’t “work” with her students. They required more flexibility in order to be successful. A+nyWhere teacher, Mrs. Lynch-Tapia, disagreed with those comments and moved forward in creating a strong credit recovery program.
By utilizing the A+nyWhere Learning System® (A+®), enforcing a strong classroom management plan, and consistently holding high expectations, Mrs. Lynch-Tapia successfully increased the school’s graduation rate.
“Every class period I focus on initiating one-on-one teachable moments with students – they know for every minute they give me, I will give them a moment of my time in return”
- Kileen Lynch-Tapia, Portales High School Credit Recovery Teacher
Portales High School in Portales, New Mexico faced a common challenge many high schools currently face: the need to retain students who will not graduate or most likely dropout. Reclassification was also an unfortunate reality. Based on their credits, students who did not pass one or more classes were being reclassified to lower grade levels and as a result, graduation rates greatly decreased.
The A+nyWhere Learning System was implemented at Portales High School in 2006 allowing 9th-12th graders a real opportunity to earn previously lost credits. There were only two scenarios where students were provided the opportunity to earn credits via the A+nyWhere Learning System:
1. Students who have previously fulfilled the required seat hours in a traditional classroom setting and did not obtain a passing grade.
2. Students who transferred from another school while their credits did not transfer.
With Mrs. Lynch-Tapia’s experience and dedication, special customization to the A+nyWhere Learning System greatly altered her students’ behavior. For example, she has found modifying the study time to 5 minutes eliminated daydreaming. Students have also been given the opportunity to Pre-Test out on any single lesson when they receive 80% or greater on the exam allowing them to bypass the lesson entirely. Disabling the feedback provided during the Practice Tests was another modification. She requires students to raise their hand when they miss questions on the Practice Test allowing her to work directly with the student.
“It’s like a link to their mind – and with that I get the opportunity to create teachable moments” Kileen Lynch-Tapia, Portales High School Credit Recovery Teacher.
Modifications are also made on an individual student level. Students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) or students who are classified as Special Education need very specific accommodations and modifications in order to successfully address their learning needs.
The classroom environment is strict and students come to work. As they enter the room all backpacks, cell phones, textbooks, and any other personal items remain at the back of the room and no personal items are allowed at their desk, eliminating unnecessary distractions. Each student has a notebook used for notes which stays in the classroom at all times and is the only item permitted at the computer workstation. All computers have been blocked from online distractions: Internet surfing; gaming, iTunes, Facebook, MySpace, etc. Students only have access to A+®.
While the environment and classroom rules are strict, camaraderie between the teacher and the student is strong. Students are motivated by their success as individuals and as a group. The students trust and know Mrs. Lynch-Tapia will be there for them, coaching them through their success before school, during lunch, after school or even on the weekends! An example of Mrs. Lynch-Tapia’s true dedication is when a teen mom was up with her baby in the middle of the night and called Mrs. Lynch-Tapia asking if there was any way she could work in the lab. Mrs. Lynch-Tapia happily met her there.
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“Mrs. Tapia puts in a lot of personal time and whatever else it takes to make A+ a successful program. The students know that she will back them 100% if they put in the effort. Thank you for your efforts in making another of our student population successful. Antonia Salaz, Antonia, Librarian and Educator
“It’s fun-ner when you’re finished. It’s a labor inducing class!” Cesar Cano, 12th Grade Student
Parent participation is absolutely encouraged. Mrs. Lynch-Tapia has an open door policy with parents, and they are welcome to test drive an A+ lesson(s) at anytime from within the lab. Class averages are posted and shared with parents. One A+ student said “Mrs. Lynch-Tapia talks to my dad…I’m going to A+.” Phone calls and emails are also very common communication tools in addition to providing detailed reports such as student progress reports and student assignment detail for parents, administrators and counselors of each student.
The A+nyWhere Learning System has created a bridge covering credit recovery as well as benchmark testing and standards-based state test preparation. In the 2007-2008 school year 143 students enrolled in the A+ program and 118 students earned a total of 170 credits. In 2008-2009 school year 171 students enrolled in the A+ program and 152 students earned a total of 209 credits towards graduation. Students are not only earning credits, they are learning study and test taking skills preparing them for state exit exams, college and the work force.
Since implementing the A+nyWhere Learning System Portales High School has seen graduation rates increase, reclassification decrease, and state exams results increase. The A+nyWhere Learning System has been a phenomenal tool allowing an incredibly dedicated teacher and a supportive administration make the changes necessary to help their students succeed.
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Tags: A+ success new mexico, new mexico alternative education, New Mexico High School Credit Recovery, portales education
