Ypsilanti, Willow Run high schools on state lowest-performing schools list

Two high schools in Washtenaw County are among the state’s lowest performing 5 percent.

Willow Run and Ypsilanti high schools both made the dubious list, which is called the Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools list. Both now have a deadline to meet to file a reform plan and are eligible for grant funding to help make changes.

The inclusion of Ypsilanti on the official list is a small surprise.

Ypsilanti officials had been told several months ago the school was on the list and began drafting plans, which included the possible shift of the high school to having a communication/arts focus.

Then state officials told Ypsilanti district administrators they were off the list.

But on Monday, they were back on. In a way, that’s good news for the district because it means it can get money to help make the changes, district administrators said.

Superintendent Dedrick Martin weighed in on the inclusion of Ypsilanti on the list.

“Embarking on an initiative of this magnitude would be a challenge without the assistance of significant federal funding, up to $2 million per school, through the ARRA School Improvement Grant,” Superintendent Dedrick Martin said in a press release. “The development of strong educational systems is an ongoing effort - this grant funding will help provide additional services and opportunities.”

The news is no surprise to Willow Run officials. They’ve been working on a restructuring plan for several months now.

The plan calls for establishing a STEMM magnet school inside the high school focusing on science, math and engineering and a cyber school academy. Other changes in the plan include more extended day or extended year options for students; getting a 1-to-1 computing for STEMM students; shifting to a project-based learning environment; increasing the safety at the school; and involving the community in the school through mentorships, community service and internships.

Districts with schools on the Persistently Lowest Achieving Schools list must submit a redesign plan to the Michigan Department of Education's school reform officer by Nov. 16, using one of four improvement models required by the U.S. Department of Education.

Schools may begin to implement their redesign plans immediately, but must begin implementing them no later than the 2011-12 school year.

The four federally-required school improvement models from which the schools must select, are:

Transformational model: Districts would address four specific areas: 1) developing teacher and school leader effectiveness, which includes replacing the principal who led the school prior to commencement of the transformational model; 2) implementing comprehensive instructional reform strategies; 3) extending learning and teacher planning time and creating community-oriented schools; and 4) providing operating flexibility and sustained support.
Turnaround model: This would include among other actions, replacing the principal and at least 50 percent of the school's staff, adopting a new governance structure and implementing a new or revised instructional program.
Restart model: School districts would close the school and reopen it under the management of a charter school operator; a charter management organization; or an educational management organization selected through a rigorous review process. A restart school would be required to enroll, within the grades it serves, any former student who wishes to attend.
School closure: The district would close a failing school and enroll the students who attended that school in other high-achieving schools in the district.