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A good school that will get better
While the recent designation of Albany High School as a
“persistently lowest-achieving school” is sobering news, we have known
for several years that the high school had to undergo important changes.
That is why its future was among the most important elements in our
strategic plan, “A Vision for Tomorrow,” which the Board of Education
adopted in November 2008.
Forty years ago when the district built Albany High it
made sense to have one comprehensive public high school. Today, we
believe smaller learning communities will best serve Albany High
students. Community feedback from a December survey that drew more than
800 responses supports this notion.
How we will structure these communities is the focus of a
district-wide committee of administrators, staff and parents that has
met every week since November. The committee will present a basic
structure of a retooled high school during a series of March forums to
be held throughout the city (click
here to see related story).
The forums will give students, families and community
members an opportunity for input on the plan that will transform the
school to meet the needs of all students.
Should Albany High be one building divided into several
small schools? Should the learning communities be located throughout the
city? Should each one have a special focus? We will raise these and
other questions at the forums, and we look to you for advice and
direction as we move forward.
In addition to smaller learning environments,
restructuring Albany High also could mean changing how we evaluate
teachers and how we connect students to the services they need in and
outside school doors.
The latter subject is the focus of the Alternative
Education Think Tank (click
here to see related story), another
component of our strategic plan. The think tank began its work in
November and anticipates its first report this spring.
Should you wish to become involved with the think tank or
the high-school restructuring committee, please contact my office at
475-6010.
There is no more “business as usual” at Albany High. By
June you will see higher pass rates on Regents exams and lower failure
rates in the classroom. By September you will see fundamental changes in
the way the school and its programs are structured. I urge you to be an
active part of decisions about these changes.
Together we can and will help Albany High meet its vast
potential, and we look forward to working with you on this exciting and
important endeavor.
Raymond Colucciello, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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