Mission Statement:Mission Statement:

Teach IT, a technology based, charter high school located in Teach IT, a technology based, charter high school located in Center City Philadelphia, is committed to offering a Center City Philadelphia, is committed to offering a rigorous, technology-centered curriculum for those students rigorous, technology-centered curriculum for those students who are interested in careers in IT or other technology who are interested in careers in IT or other technology fields post high school. We offer a safe, student-centered fields post high school. We offer a safe, student-centered environment where students are molded into lifelong environment where students are molded into lifelong learners. Co-ops with professionals from technology fields learners. Co-ops with professionals from technology fields supplement the standard academic courses, along with life supplement the standard academic courses, along with life skill classes, to help create well rounded and complete high skill classes, to help create well rounded and complete high achievers who are prepared to take on the multitude of achievers who are prepared to take on the multitude of issues facing the generations of the 21issues facing the generations of the 21stst Century. Century.

EnrollmentEnrollment Enrollment is open to anyone, but based upon previous Enrollment is open to anyone, but based upon previous

academic grades in grade school.academic grades in grade school. City environment – accessible through public transportation City environment – accessible through public transportation

for both suburban and urban students.for both suburban and urban students. There is a test for enrollment, must have a certain score or There is a test for enrollment, must have a certain score or

score in a certain percent to be considered.score in a certain percent to be considered. Interview is used to see if student is truly interested and Interview is used to see if student is truly interested and

displays desired characteristics for a student of Teach IT.displays desired characteristics for a student of Teach IT.– Parent or guardian is interviewed as well.Parent or guardian is interviewed as well.

Parents are held at certain expectations to help educate Parents are held at certain expectations to help educate student.student.– Teach IT alone needs parental involvement and supportTeach IT alone needs parental involvement and support– Parents need to be tech. savvy as well Parents need to be tech. savvy as well

Teach IT can provide tutorials for parents throughout the year.Teach IT can provide tutorials for parents throughout the year.

Community ServedCommunity Served

Urban setting located in Center CityUrban setting located in Center City– This offers easy access to public This offers easy access to public

transportation.transportation.– It also takes advantage of the cities It also takes advantage of the cities

culture.culture. Historic PhiladelphiaHistoric Philadelphia MuseumsMuseums

– Franklin Institute, Art Museum, Academy of Franklin Institute, Art Museum, Academy of natural Sciencenatural Science

– Center City is booming with businessesCenter City is booming with businesses

Non Academic FeaturesNon Academic Features

After School ActivitiesAfter School Activities SportsSports

– Various Intramural SportsVarious Intramural Sports Mandatory for all studentsMandatory for all students

Online coursesOnline courses Summer courses offeredSummer courses offered Music, culinary, and “life-skill” classes Music, culinary, and “life-skill” classes

offered.offered.

Day ScheduleDay Schedule

School year: TrimestersSchool year: Trimesters– This will allow for students to take on This will allow for students to take on

various courses.various courses. Length of the day: 9 A.M. – 3 P.M.Length of the day: 9 A.M. – 3 P.M.

– Starting before 9 could impose arrival Starting before 9 could impose arrival time difficulties that increase tardiness.time difficulties that increase tardiness.

– Due to the many areas that the students Due to the many areas that the students will be coming from, more time is will be coming from, more time is allotted for the morning arrival.allotted for the morning arrival.

Distinguished Curriculum/Model Distinguished Curriculum/Model CharacteristicsCharacteristics

School uniforms/dress code mandatorySchool uniforms/dress code mandatory Courses offered in information Courses offered in information

technologytechnology– NetworkingNetworking– Database administrationDatabase administration– Web ProgrammingWeb Programming– Application/Software ProgrammingApplication/Software Programming– Systems designSystems design– Reporting ToolsReporting Tools– Graphic ArtsGraphic Arts

School UniformsSchool Uniforms

“All our schools should teach character education. And if it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.”

Arguments Against School Arguments Against School UniformsUniforms

Infringements on students’ First Infringements on students’ First Amendment rightsAmendment rights

Administrators overuse school Administrators overuse school uniforms as a power tooluniforms as a power tool

Economic hardship for parentsEconomic hardship for parents Non deterrence of gang activityNon deterrence of gang activity No effect of social differentiationNo effect of social differentiation Eliminates warning signsEliminates warning signs

Benefits of School UniformsBenefits of School Uniforms Promotes school safetyPromotes school safety Fostering school unityFostering school unity Reducing social pressures Reducing social pressures Increasing student self-esteem and Increasing student self-esteem and

motivationmotivation Reducing costsReducing costs Improving attendanceImproving attendance Improving academic achievementImproving academic achievement Reducing distractionsReducing distractions Eliminate competitionEliminate competition

Legal IssuesLegal Issues

• Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)• “public school students do not shed their right to free speech at the schoolhouse

gate”• Kelley v. Johnson (1976)

• Reversed the notion that hair length regulation could be rejected because of free speech

• Hazelwood School district v. Kuhlmer (1988)• School officials may impose reasonable restrictions on free speech

U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Education RecommendationsRecommendations

Parental involvementParental involvement Protect students’ religious expressionProtect students’ religious expression Protect students’ other rights of expressionProtect students’ other rights of expression Determine whether to have a voluntary or Determine whether to have a voluntary or

mandatory school uniformmandatory school uniform When a mandatory policy is adopted, When a mandatory policy is adopted,

determine whether to have an opt-out determine whether to have an opt-out provisionprovision

Do not require students to wear a messageDo not require students to wear a message Assist families that need financial helpAssist families that need financial help Treat school uniforms as part of the overall Treat school uniforms as part of the overall

safety programsafety program

Effects of Alternative Effects of Alternative Scheduling on Student Scheduling on Student

PerformancePerformance

Overall Research FindingsOverall Research Findings

The schedule of the school day and/or The schedule of the school day and/or school year has little to no effect on school year has little to no effect on student performancestudent performance

Studies show that initial performance Studies show that initial performance gains are lost over timegains are lost over time

There are positives in areas other There are positives in areas other than grades, found mostly in block than grades, found mostly in block schedule schools, and possible schedule schools, and possible negative results from alternative negative results from alternative schedulesschedules

PositivesPositives

Increased levels of overall student Increased levels of overall student attendanceattendance

Decreased incidences of tardinessDecreased incidences of tardiness Decreased discipline problemsDecreased discipline problems Increased student interest in subjectsIncreased student interest in subjects Increased student enrollment in a Increased student enrollment in a

variety of classesvariety of classes

NegativesNegatives

Longer school day means less Longer school day means less teacher prep timeteacher prep time

Longer school year means less of a Longer school year means less of a break for teachers (burnout)break for teachers (burnout)

Longer day and/or year creates a Longer day and/or year creates a further drain on already thin further drain on already thin resources in many areasresources in many areas

What Does it all Mean?What Does it all Mean?

Block scheduling seems to create a Block scheduling seems to create a more relaxed school atmosphere and more relaxed school atmosphere and greater student interest, but it does greater student interest, but it does not translate into better grades.not translate into better grades.

The overall school schedule does not The overall school schedule does not affect student performance in the affect student performance in the long term when it comes to grading.long term when it comes to grading.

Special Education at Teach Special Education at Teach ITIT

Studies show that students with special Studies show that students with special needs, especially those with behavioral and needs, especially those with behavioral and emotional disorders, are more successful emotional disorders, are more successful and more likely to attend school if enrolled and more likely to attend school if enrolled at a vocational high school.at a vocational high school.

Transition programs for post secondary Transition programs for post secondary education and/or careers has become education and/or careers has become crucial in the success of graduates. crucial in the success of graduates.

Social, Academic and Vocational education Social, Academic and Vocational education is necessary for the success of students is necessary for the success of students with special needs and Teach IT provides with special needs and Teach IT provides opportunity to thrive in all three opportunity to thrive in all three concentrations. concentrations.

Charter Schools and Special Charter Schools and Special Education Education

Pennsylvania law requires the residential Pennsylvania law requires the residential school districts of students attending a school districts of students attending a charter school to pay per pupil the amount charter school to pay per pupil the amount allotted for non-special education and a allotted for non-special education and a larger amount for those pupils needing larger amount for those pupils needing special services.special services.

Charter schools may use Intermediate Unit Charter schools may use Intermediate Unit services needed to aid students with special services needed to aid students with special needs.needs.

Students with IEPs must receive proper and Students with IEPs must receive proper and least restrictive education while attending a least restrictive education while attending a charter school. Students who do not have charter school. Students who do not have IEPs before entering the school but require IEPs before entering the school but require an IEP while attending will be provided due an IEP while attending will be provided due services and accommodations.services and accommodations.

Teach IT and Special Teach IT and Special EducationEducation

In conjunction with IEPs, students should have In conjunction with IEPs, students should have ITPs (Individualized Transition Programs). In ITPs (Individualized Transition Programs). In order for students to make a smooth order for students to make a smooth transition from secondary to post secondary transition from secondary to post secondary endeavors, proper consideration to these endeavors, proper consideration to these programs is necessary.programs is necessary.

Teach IT is dedicated to transitioning students Teach IT is dedicated to transitioning students from secondary to post secondary life. from secondary to post secondary life. Having co-op program and field experience in Having co-op program and field experience in place for non-special education makes for an place for non-special education makes for an opportunity to blend special education opportunity to blend special education transition programs as part of this movement. transition programs as part of this movement.