• Independence High School

    A community of students and teachers committed to sustaining a personalized learning environment that better meets the needs of all. We work collaboratively to focus on learning rather than teaching, in order to constantly improve our program and student performance.

    1)What should each student know and be able to do?

    • Create a written weekly plan reflecting their schedule, commitments and learning goals.
    • Follow their plan closely and attend school regularly (on time, prepared and organized).
    • Work both independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively and think critically.
    • Accept responsibility for their learning and show respect for all involved in the process.
    • Believe they are capable, innately wise and have direct access to their own best answers.

    2)  What systems are in place to monitor a student’s learning in a timely manner?

    • A mutually safe, comfortable, encouraging and inspiring environment that fosters learning.
    • Clear written and verbal expectations for learning that are articulated regularly.
    • Repetitive, positive and celebratory responses to mastery of subject matter competencies.
    •  Regular communication of progress through phone calls, emails and conferences.
    • A chain of support and encouragement through a pyramid of Response to Intervention.

    3)  How do we respond when a student does not learn?

    • Reinforce the safe and comfortable learning environment and review goals.
    • Identify areas of concern and need using student performance data.
    • Examine, explore and discuss the student’s access to their own best answers.
    •  Remediate, strategize and encourage students to take responsibility for their learning.
    • f Response to Intervention.   Utilize the Response To Intervention Pyramid of community support


    4)  What do we do when a student already knows the content?

    • Challenge the student to delve deeper to enrich their learning experience.
    • Inspire the student to discover, design or create their own project or invention.
    • Urge the student to share their knowledge to support their peers that need help.
    • Encourage the student to enroll in advanced or college level classes.
    • Recommend an appropriate community service project.

    The above was compiled using the Professional Learning Community and Inspired Learning Models