Horne meets with AZ education leaders to talk academic performance
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On Monday afternoon, educators from district and charter schools across the state sat down with Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne.
The nine school leaders were invited to talk about what they’ve done to improve student performance because their schools have either consistently received an A grade or they've brought their ratings up to an A or B from a D or F.
Despite the loss of teachers across the state, Stepping Stones Academy in Phoenix has had next to zero percent turnover over the last five years. Vice Principal Tina Panagopoulos said "happy teachers make happy schools."
"I actually asked the teachers: 'Tell me ‘why is it that you stay?’ and every one of them said to some effect, ‘We know you have our back. When I fail, I can come to you and tell you, I failed and when I have a success, I can come to you and you’ll be my biggest cheerleader,’” Panagopoulos said.
Creating a positive culture amongst staff and students was a theme throughout Monday’s meeting, as well as making extra resources available to struggling students and creating incentives for good performance.
Snowflake Unified School District Superintendent Hollis Merrell said high school students there have a modified schedule and are on campus four days a week. Only those who need extra help come in on Fridays.
“That really propelled the high school academic achievement to greater heights," Merrell said. "It’s a motivation for some students: ‘You mean if I am doing what I’m supposed to and everything looks good, I don’t have to come to school on Friday?’”
