This Action Plan is the centerpiece of the Community High School of Vermont's (CHSVT) collective efforts at continuous school improvement for enhanced school learning. Its roots go back may years and is the culmination of the work by many people, much experimentation, program development and program evaluation. The school's purpose is to provide an alternative educational program for Vermont :place> :State> students, many who have found their way into the corrections system.

Due to factors that are beyond the scope of this Overview, typical statewide tests used in local public school systems to measure and track student learning and to form instructional and management practices are not useful for these purposes at CHSVT. In search of more appropriate and effective strategies to measure student learning and gauge school improvement, seven Common Ends for the school and its students have been identified (see Figure 1 and accompanying chart). Each is indicators of student learning and, over time, school improvement. They are directly related to the achievement of student learning standards (e.g., Vermont :place> :State> Framework of Standards and Learning Opportunities). Achievement of standards is dependent on the demonstration of evidence or student performance of certain observable behaviors, which are then described in Graduation Plans, used to issue high school credits, and award diplomas and local/industry trade certificates and employment.

A number of support systems have been developed and field tested to help the faculty develop programs and practices addressing our Common Ends, monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to improve performance of the school and its students. The accompanying chart details central and local uniform practices, addressing each Common End. As baseline data are collected, each site will have information indicating its current performance, which then suggests targets for further Local Site Action Plan development that takes into account unique site strengths and areas needing improvement. With this information, each site can arrange for a broad range of additional input from Advisory Committees, facility administration and other community members.

COMMON ENDS

1. Academic Assessments - Increase the quality and focus of student learning.
2. Student Learning Hours - Increase the number of students and frequency of attendance which demonstrates progress in engaging students in learning.
3. Proficiency Requirements - Increase the number of students meeting the proficiency requirement.
4. Graduation Plans - Increase the number of students placed on Individual Graduation Plans so they have a road map to a Diploma and a procedure for plotting progress.
5. High School Credits - Increase the number of High School Credits Awarded that is a measure of measuring student learning of secondary school standards.
6. High School Diplomas - Increase the number of Diplomas awarded by Local schools and CHSVT to certify attainment of public education standards.
7. Trades/Industry Certificates & Employment - Increase the number of Trades/Industry Certificates awarded to certify student learning to industry standards and increasing number of students employed and their wages.

Work + Education = Economic Success!