Glenbard East to boost peer programs

For schools such as Glenbard East High School, failing to meet federal learning standards for the fifth year presented a daunting challenge.

"Restructure" and prove to state officials that significant change is in the works. That's the mandate from No Child Left Behind.

The district presented its plan Monday night and it builds on significant changes the Lombard school started three years ago.

For the next school year, Glenbard East will focus on peer coaching in two areas: its Freshman Academy teams and teachers working in Professional Learning Communities. The Freshman Academy developed three years ago when the school revamped the class structure for that grade of students.

Professional Learning Communities allow teachers in similar disciplines to meet regularly and learn from each other' successes and challenges.

History teacher Leland Livingston gave the example of a recent test she and two other teachers administered. They met the day after the test and determined that while students in one class fared well on a segment that had to do with chronological history, two other classes lagged behind.

The teacher whose students seemed to grasp the topic best then shared how he had presented the information to his peers.

"If we had not had this immediate feedback, it would have been lost," she said.

Parents also are included in the changes. The school is creating a Parent Academy that will start monthly with a newsletter streamlining information they receive about school, whether that means deadlines, meetings or conferences.

But it could develop into workshops developed around parent needs -- such as something designed to help them learn a topic like algebra to help their child study, Assistant Principal Jan Reece said.

In the second year, the school will undertake a comprehensive study of alternative course scheduling. Options could include block scheduling or an extended day. One of the problems, Glenbard East Principal Bob McBride explained, is that many students ride the bus.

They arrive right before the start of school and leave as soon as it ends, so if they need additional help from teachers, there isn't any time.