The Challenge of Bridging the Gap Between High-performing and Lower-performing Schools

By Barbara R. Kilponen

Every district has higher and lower performing schools and the challenge should be to close that gap. The Fullerton Joint Union High School District has set as high priority strategies to provide world-class education to all students at all schools.

The District has set high expectations for all students in all schools. Computer labs and tutoring complement the student's responsibility of completing home consistently. Guidance and support from home are necessary ingredients as well for student success.

The District provides resources that may include additional staffing, specialized curriculum, equipment, etc. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination), for example, is designed to increase the number of students qualified for admission to college. This program is offered at five high schools as a four-year supplement to a student's curriculum. Tutoring daily, trips to visit colleges and mentoring all build confidence as students take AP classes and apply to colleges of choice.

Open enrollment among our high schools allows students placement in coursework that meets their individual skills and goals for increased success. There are magnet programs in academics, agriculture, medical arts, JROTC, ROP, fine arts,culinary arts,and engineering, to name a few.

Best practices from within and outside the District are encouraged. Implementing school wide programs such as Small Learning Communities enhances teacher/student interaction and raises achievement.

Deans of Attendance and guidance counselors monitor and increase student attendance, the best indicator of academic achievement. Currently, the District has the 2nd highest attendance rate in the county.

Instructional methods are adjusted for specific effectiveness for various student groups, such as English language learners.

Parent Institutes are available free of charge for parents to strengthen their involvement in their students' high school life, be it in academics, sports, volunteer activities, or work experience.

The District's scrutiny of student programming and instructional effectiveness is intrinsic to meeting the expectations of all students, their families, and the communities in which they live.