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High school principal and dean outline IXL use, WIN supports and an English 'revamp' for upperclassmen
Summary
Principal Jeremy and Dean Erin McGowan told the board about gains in math scores, expanded IXL use, WIN advisory supports and a planned English curriculum redesign giving juniors and seniors more course choices; college-course partnerships were highlighted as cost-saving options.
High school principal Jeremy and Dean of Students Erin McGowan presented student achievement data and instructional changes aimed at raising outcomes and smoothing the transition to college.
Principal Jeremy summarized fall-to-fall and spring-to-fall score changes: "in math from fall to fall, we went up 6% and from spring to fall, 17%," and he said some of the gain is tied to ongoing supports. The presentation reviewed IXL, an online program the school uses in math and English; Dean McGowan said the system provides monthly diagnostics and that students on average answer about 40 IXL questions per week, enabling teachers to group students for targeted instruction during WIN time.
"IXL is a massive tool that we use to help close those gaps between skills that they may be missing or not strong in," McGowan said, describing how monthly diagnostics inform small-group instruction and WIN (a daily end-of-day block) provides time for tailored supports, advisor-led activities, internships for seniors and quiet study spaces.
The principal described a planned English revamp for juniors and seniors that will give students choice among several course options over two years while retaining Advanced Placement options for those who want them. He also discussed partnerships with Southern Maine Community College and others to offer college courses locally — for example, the district is exploring offering a college math course (referred to in the presentation as O40) free of charge to students to better prepare them for college-level work and reduce family costs.
Board members asked how much latitude students would have in selecting literature under the revamp and how many AP courses the high school currently offers; the principal said students would be given choices and that the school offers about four AP courses, with some rotating on a bi-year basis.
What’s next: The principal and dean will continue refining course options and budget plans for sustaining programs such as IXL, and the board will receive the overall budget presentation in April.
