higher learning academy

HIGHER LEARNING ACADEMY

Building wealth, Owning our destiny, Taking the lead…

Ronald King4/15/11

Audience: Dr. Revilla 21st Century Schools

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Model Features African Centered Education Certification Programs Inclusion Student Compensation Ninth Grade Academy Family Support Non-Cognitive Assessment Holistic Economic Development Character Education Extended Day and Year round function Teaming

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Pedagogical Theories Multiple Intelligences Theory Double Loop Learning Theory Experiential Learning Theory Cognitive Load Theory Constructivist Theory

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Research Based Approach Researched based strategies that are geared towards African American malesLearning preferences found in AA males: Emphasize group cooperation Value harmony with nature Accept affective expression Tend to be holistic or Gestalt Thinkers (sum of all parts make up the

whole) Perceive the field as responding to the person and as possibly having a

life of its own Use strong colorful expressions Require that relevant concepts have special or personal relevance Use language that is dependent upon unique context and many

interactional characteristics of the communicants time and place, on inflection, muscular movements, and non-verbal cues

Prefer learning material that has a human social content and is characterized by fantasy and humor

Perceived conceptual distances between the observer and the observed

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Curriculum Components Black male success has been found more

accurate with the following predictors in this order: Leadership Academic Organization Long range goals Racial Homogeneity – Negotiating the

system and dealing with racism

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Pedagogy Multi-age Grouping Teaming Cooperative Learning School Projects Skill Certification Programs Career Exploration Holistic Economic Development

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SubjectsUPPER CLASSES (10-12) 9TH GRADE ACADEMY

Geometry, Algebra 2 Biology, Chemistry, Physics Legal Environment Health/Exercise Money Management (Advanced) Character Education Real-estate Civic Engagement Auto Ed Technology Business Management Elective 1 Critical Race Theory Psychology

Sociology Pre Algebra/Algebra Reading Comprehension, Writing

Mechanics Skill Certification 1 and 2 Research Internship Money Management (Beginner or

Intermediate) Technology Civic Engagement – Summer Project Real-estate Auto Ed Health/Exercise

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9th Grade Academy Special Block Periods with Reading

Comprehension, Writing Mechanics and Research 60-90 minutes

Emphasis on projects rather than core subjects Strong holistic advising for effective goal

planning Skill Certifications Tech Ed Career Exploration Internship/Employment Community Summer Project

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African Centered Education

Skin recognition includes heritage as well as color that distinguishes one as a person of African descent.

Environmental recognition which raises awareness of ones race discrimination and abuse within one’s environment attributes to one’s skin color or heritage.

Personality awareness pillar that makes individualized distinctions of a students preferences related to one’s heritage.

Interest concern demonstrates concerns about issues and solutions for people of African descent.

African centeredity is a phrase that again, raises awareness of collective and conscious will.

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Critical Race Theory Counter story telling - Historical accounts that

convey stories of struggle and discrimination which are often not validated by the mainstream.

Micro-aggressions - Acts of disregard that stem from unconscious attitudes of white superiority and constitute a verification of black inferiority.

Interest convergence - Gains for blacks coinciding with whites self-interest and materialize at times when elite groups need a breakthrough for African Americans, usually for the sake of world appearances or the imperatives of international competition.

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Character EducationCharacter Education Must: Have an adequate theory of what good character is –

Knowing the good, desiring the good and doing the good Must contain 6 moral qualities- Awareness of dimension of

situation at hand; knowing what moral values and what it requires of us in concrete cases; Perspective taking; Moral reasoning; Thoughtful decision-making; self knowledge

Desiring the good- Moral education that is merely intellectual misses the crucial emotional side of character, which serves as the bridge between judgment and action. The emotional side includes these qualities: Conscience, self respect, empathy, self control and humility.

Doing the good-Moral action draws upon 3 additional moral qualities: Competence, will and moral habit

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Holistic Economic Development (HED)

One of the central focuses of HLA is to ensure wealth building assets are made available for graduating students Home ownership Vehicle Enterprise Post Secondary Education

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Non Cognitive Assessment William Sedlacek’s Non-Cognitive

Questionaire (NCQ) contains 8 predictors for predicting retention, GPA’s, and persistence to graduation of a post secondary institution on which Ownership Education ensures it’s successful approach to educating African American males.

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8 Predictors Positive Self Concept Realistic self appraisal Successful handling of the system

(formerly “racism”) Preference for long range over short

term goals Availability of a strong support person Successful leadership experience Demonstrated community involvement Knowledge acquired in a field

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Community/Family Engagement

Parental and Family Services after traditional school hours

Community oriented projects that students have to coordinate in their assigned teams throughout the extended year

Open door policy for parents to speak to faculty and leadership about any issues affecting them or their child

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School Structure/Management Students will be divided into two large multiage teams led

by a senior teacher operating in separate wings of the school. Under the senior teacher 5 Teachers 5 Volunteer Advisors 1 Special Ed Teacher Upper classman (approx. 20-30) Lower classman (approx. 20-30)

Students will use three teachers as their chain of command for any issues that may arise privately or academically First line - scheduled teacher Second line - special ed. teacher/advisor Third line – senior teacher Fourth line - Principal

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School Management Open until 6pm for the extended day No more than 3 days off for traditional

holidays for students Most faculty will have no more than 2 weeks

off at a time for traditional holidays and summers

Advisors will be more involved in academic enhancement/community projects

Students will be assigned employment, internship and special training opportunities for traditional holidays and summer vacations

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School Management Block Preparation for teachers Rotating days for special activities Advisors can be used as aids Recruit from local colleges and

universities Retired executives, CPA, lawyers, bankers

etc.

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Professional Training Teachers will be trained in pedagogy, student culture,

community organization, and professional expectations/school culture.

Teachers will be expected to participate in the development of the school in all aspects of management

Senior teacher advisors will be teamed with educators. Senior teachers will conduct career advisement

meetings to gauge leadership qualities early in their teams respectively.

Senior teachers will also meet privately with the executive leadership to discuss emerging leaders and overall school management /structure.

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School Operational Cost

First Year Building Purchase – 2.4m

Renovation Annual Operating Expenses

Curriculum and Materials – 250k Technology Meals Books Office and School Supplies School Activities Professional Training Family Support

10 Volunteers /Advisors – 120k 12 Teachers – 840k 3 Administrators – 170k 50 Student Compensation Plan – 1.15m Total = $4,936,000.00

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FOCUS