I learned late last week that Monroe County's Falcon Academy will be recognized as an alternative school Best Practice Site by the Kentucky Department of Education. More information will be forthcoming on the KDE website and the school will receive official recognition at an upcoming meeting of the state Board of Education. I want to extend my congratulations to the staff of Falcon Academy and to the Monroe County Schools for this impressive accomplishment.
In an effort to highlight and promote high-quality learning in alternative school environments, since 2009 KDE conducts a rigorous annual nomination and on-site visit process to discover and celebrate the state's best examples of schools that serve at-risk students. Awards are given in three categories, including (1) Curriculum, Instuction, and Assessment, (2) Culture, Support, and Professional Devleopment, and (3) Leadership, Resources/Organization, and Planning.
I'm familiar with this award in part because Simpson County's Learning Opportunity Center alternative high school, where I formerly served as principal, was recognized as Exemplary in Category 2 in 2010.
Falcon Academy will be recognized as Exemplary in Category 1 (Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment). I can attest to the Academy's accomplishments and worthiness for this designation because I spent time there during the last school year working closely with Principal Max Petett on a research project that provided professional coaching designed to enhance instructional leadership.
In an era when so many districts are relying more heavily on computer programs to provide credit recovery and fill hard-to-staff subject areas, Mr. Petett and the staff of Falcon Academy have pursued a deliberately different strategy. Concerned that students in online courses were not receiving a sufficiently rigorous exposure to curriculum that is assessed on End of Course assessments, Mr. Petett initiated a new effort to provide regular, teacher-facilitated instruction in almost all core area classes. The goal was to provide routine instruction and formative assessment that would ensure students were exposed to the same curricular standards as students in traditional classes, and to offer enrichment and intervention for students based on their progress.
The Falcon Academy still utilizes online courses, but relies on it as a supplement to instructor-led learning.
Full outcome data won't arrive until the fall, of course, and given the transient populations of most alternative schools it will be difficult to fully assess the impact of this strategy in the short-term, but Mr. Petett reports gratifying results on portions of the End of Course assessments, and is confident his staff is now providing a richer, more rigorous learning opportunity for Academy students.
Additionally, the Academy boasts an impressive aviation program offered in conjuction with the Monroe County Airport in which students get real-world experience working with aviation technicians and flight instructors to learn about airplane mechanics, aerospace engineering, and piloting.
All of these programs reflect an alternative school that has high expectations for student learning and has faith that all students can learn and achieve at high levels.
I commend Mr. Petett, the staff of the Falcon Academy, and the leadership of the Monroe County Schools, for their dedication and success.
Update: Official KDE announcement here.
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