DPS initiates historic high school improvement effort
November 19, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dr. Ann T. Denlinger, Superintendent, 919-560-2503 Dr. Judith Rizzo, Executive Director, James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy, 919-843-4085
DURHAM--Bolstering the successful efforts in high school improvement already under way in Durham Public Schools will be the focus as 45 Durham Public Schools leaders meet with a team of experts later this week to continue the process of delivering first-rate instruction at the high school level.
On Wednesday, November 20, Superintendent Ann T. Denlinger will co-host a daylong conference with Judith Rizzo, executive director of the James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy. High school principals and teachers, DPS Central Services professionals, and a team of educators from the New York City Department of Education--comprising master principals from the Bronx and Queens--will join them.
Dr. Rizzo has followed DPS’ upward trend in student achievement over the last five years, along with several initiatives the school district is pursuing to close the Achievement Gap by 2007. Her interest in the district’s progress led to her offer to partner with Dr. Denlinger and other DPS professionals as they pursue the next level of achievement. Each member of the New York City public schools team has experienced considerable success in the secondary education arena, and will serve as an invaluable resource in the process.
"Durham Public Schools' progress positions the school system at a prime stage for the Hunt Institute’s involvement to be a mutually beneficial experience," said Dr. Rizzo. "We very much look forward to assisting these committed educators in their quest for quality refinement of instructional services, and we anticipate gleaning a significant amount of meaningful information in our efforts to likewise assist school systems across the state and the nation."
The meeting will begin with a discussion on what the ideal high school classroom looks like. Afterward, all of the participants will divide into groups to identify common beliefs around which that classroom should be structured, and the best practices that support it. At the end of the day Dr. Denlinger will lead a discussion around the steps that will be necessary to achieve the ideal. Each high school team will work with members of their staff to determine next steps within their schools.
"This effort is the first of many to increase the level of academic rigor among all of our high school students, preparing them well for postsecondary and professional options," said Denlinger. "It is imperative that Durham Public Schools offer the highest degree of academic excellence at all levels, and we are grateful for the opportunity to work with Dr. Rizzo and her colleagues as we make thoughtful decisions around this crucial endeavor."
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