This is a podcast designed to help people evaluate what they have for a schedule and how to consider changing it. As usual this podcast involves lots of my opinions and observations. This episode is a process to follow and all the things to consider when you look at your current schedule and other options. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
Feb 24, 2023•20 min
This is an overview of the setup and issues surrounding special education in the public schools. This one is full of opinions of mine but based on my experiences. Special Education is ahead of regular education in many areas but has huge issues of their own. Please feel free to contact me with questions, concerns or opinions. mwesterburg@gmail.com Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website...
Jan 15, 2023•21 min
This episode helps people to understand the difference between a Middle School and a Junior High. There is no research that says one is better than the other. A middle school focuses on the whole student and most commonly has an SEL program like Character Counts in a homeroom, and core classes run for longer times than electives and students get lots of elective choices. A junior high is a high school preparation program that focuses on preparing students for high school as its primary goal. Oft...
Dec 15, 2022•12 min
This is an overview on evaluating master schedules for a secondary school. The staffing needs and other issues that a schedule can address. The schedule used is only second to the quality of staff you hire in importance. The demographics, size, grade levels and non-curricular issues you want to address are directly tied to the schedule chosen. There is lots more information available on Trimesters.org. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strate...
Dec 09, 2022•16 min
This some common sense practice to use when you get transfer students. The key is to have a practice written down for your schedule. There is an example on the trimesters.org website on how to do it. They have to take as many required classes as possible but be given some room for failures based on the potential credit they can gain in your schedule. Students who come from a schedule with more credits available should be held accountable to a policy you have in place for not having any part time...
Nov 29, 2022•8 min
This is a simple explanation of what district fund balances mean and why it is important to know. 17% represents 2 months of operational cost and should be the goal of all district to achieve and maintain. Don't systematically spend more than you take in. It is important to know the difference between "Need to Do" and "Nice to Do". Staff expenses range normally between 60-80 percent of a budget. The closer your district is to 80% the more difficult it is to have a fund balance at 17%. Fund Balan...
Nov 09, 2022•12 min
This episode talks about the different types of work experiences a student can get in high school. For example; Work Experience - no credit usually 1 period per day for a senior in good standing and on track to graduate. Co-op is usually 2 periods or more a day and the student gets high school elective or CTE credit based on monitoring from the school. The student should have completed the high school pre-reg courses in the CTE area. Apprentice or Intern position are half the day or more where t...
Nov 05, 2022•11 min
This is a very simplistic policy on weekly checks on students to make sure they are passing all their classes. A student with a failing grade, sits out until they are passing all their classes. The student still attends practice and games but does not participate in the events. This grade check should be after the second week of each marking period and be done weekly on all students. Band and Choir are co-curricular and do not follow this policy. The goal is to keep them engaged in the activity ...
Oct 30, 2022•9 min
How to do merit pay for teachers. Simple formula; decide on a total dollar amount, put a point sheet together, divide the total points earned into the amount, write out checks to teachers. Key items: 1. Must have a satisfactory evaluation. 2. Building academic goals are set. 3 Attendance is rewarded. 4 PD and committee work on non-paid time is included. 5. Attendance at school events is rewarded. Here is a sample to look at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vZdkg0FNgVw39hM5zebvkS6kQPAV9HeDdG5...
Oct 30, 2022•14 min
This is a review of what the role of social studies should be in high school. Social Studies is 4th in importance of the required core curricular, however is usually more required than math or science. Very few states have a secondary social studies test for students and therefore it becomes a state by state mandate issue. The key to a quality program is to; create critical thinking, enhance language arts in reading and writing, do charts and graphs for ACT prep, and most of all to give student ...
Oct 26, 2022•12 min
This episode is about high school honor courses. HS honors class create academic Darwinism. Taking the top students in a grade and having them compete is not a good practice especially in smaller districts. The honors class deludes the quality of the regular classes and in small school the delusion is much greater. The best solution is to set criteria for a student in the previous class to jump up a grade. For example, an A in the 8th grade English class and passing the state assessment could be...
Oct 19, 2022•6 min
Guided Academics is a Tier 2 RTI intervention. The class is added to a teacher's assignment during the school day. The class can be taught by anyone, it is considered an other in the coursebook. I would keep the class at 15 or less and make sure that students who are attendance and discipline problems are not put in there. Everyday they get a 10 to 15 minute mini lesson on study skills and the rest of the time they work on their core classes. Sound familiar, yes this is resource room for regular...
Oct 18, 2022•13 min
I briefly explain the four options for students to get college credit in high school. The first is to simply go to the college campus and sit in on a college course. This option is the most authentic for content and atmosphere. However, the timing of the course and the travel can greatly effect there high school schedule. The second option is to take a course online. This provides the greatest access to courses and the easiest to put in a student schedule. However, this option is also where stud...
Oct 17, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 10
This is about the importance of taking College Algebra in High School. College Algebra is far more important than calculus at the high school level. About 70% of college degrees require 1 math class usually called college algebra. A high school student with college algebra done is 70% more likely to get a four year degree. It has always been the gate keeper for getting a post secondary degree. We don't have enough time to talk about why a social work degree needs to be able to do college algebra...
Oct 13, 2022•8 min
This is about helping to improvement secondary parent / teacher conferences. Make a policy of no grades less than a C- can be given without parental contact. No text message, voice call, zoom or in person. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
Oct 10, 2022•10 min
This is about changing the community access and perception of the school. Fill the stands and let the concession stands boom. 70% of your gate fees are home crowd, stop charging admission. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
Oct 07, 2022•10 min
This episode does have some of my personal opinions about the need to prepare students for these tests. This preparation goes with creating a senior scholars program and college prep for students. Much more on the trimesters.org website. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
Oct 03, 2022•32 min
This is an important step in changing graduation from singling out students to recognizing the class. Check the website at trimesters.org for more information. Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
Sep 23, 2022•22 min
This is a very simple policy to help students and encourage them to retake failed or low grade Classes. By the way, we do not allow students who have a B- or better to retake classes to build their GPA. The second policy is on seniors taking their final final exams. Seniors should have the option to take them if they are in good standing on it can only help them basis. Good Standing means under the attendance limit, no major discipline issues, and passing the class. They can earn days off at the...
Sep 20, 2022•7 min
The third episode is about creating and using a common set of classroom expectations. This is a major policy for schools to create the culture of learning and respect. This policy also uses the process of the teachers coming together and voting on a policy they create and are obligated to support. Annually buildings should review their common classroom expectations, late homework policy and extracurricular participation policy. If you want more information and examples please go to trimesters.or...
Sep 15, 2022•11 min
This is my second podcast on Progressive Honor Roll . The concept it to find and reward students who go up .5 on their term GPA compared to their cumulative GPA. This can be done at any secondary level and rewards a group of students who generally never get recognized for academic performance. Additional information is available at Trimesters.org. If you have questions please contact me at mwesterburg@gmail.com Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homewo...
Sep 14, 2022•10 min
This is my introduction to the audience. The first policy I do is on Student Attendance. An example can be found at https://www.trimesters.org/uploads/3/4/7/1/34719762/attendance.pdf Trimesters.org - CLEP testing - Larry Bell - Merit Pay - Bart goes to SP.Ed. - Homework Strategies - CLEP - ASVAB Email: mwesterburg@gmail.com Website: www.trimesters.org Text: 269-449-6091...
Sep 13, 2022•12 min
