Expectations

//**__Expectations for Learning and Achievement__: Teacher and students work together to create and maintain high expectations for the learning of all students.**//
As part of D-PAtH we have a scheduled monthly meeting. The purpose of the monthly meeting is to talk, in an open forum, about things that are going well academically and behaviorally, and things that may not be going well. The real purpose of the meeting is to review expectations for learning and achievement. I meet with Pat D'Amboise before the meeting to set an agenda, and after to debrief. One important rule that came out of the last family meeting that helped to maintain a high expectation of learning was the cell phone rule. Before I was the program director, students were allowed to use their cell phones. Because of a family meeting, we have tightened the rules. We saw immediate academic achievements, mostly more time on task. This is a reflection from Pat D'Amboise from the meetings.
 * Evidence 1 Family Meeting**:

Throughout or D-PAtH "family meeting" we have decided on three non-negotiables for all D-PAtH students: progress towards academic goals, behavior, and attendance. If I feel that a student is not meeting one or more of the non-negotiables I will have a meeting with the student and other D-PAtH teachers if necessary. At this point a phone call home is usually made. If the student continues not meeting the D-PAtH non-negotiables a meeting with student, parent and administration is held and the student will be put on either an academic, behavioral, or contract for both. Unfortunately, the sample I have provided is from a student who was unable to meet the requirements of his contract and was therefore removed from D-PAtH in September. Rather than receive a mainstream schedule, the student dropped out and enrolled in Adult Ed. Without student contracts, the high expectation for learning can not exist. Currently out of the twenty-nine D-PAtH students, there in one on a contract.
 * Evidence 2** **D-PAtH contracts:**

Last year was extremely rewarding for both Linda Chaisson and myself. We co-advised the D-PAtH RT and had an alternate curriculum approved by Vision Keepers. Students were responsible for maintaining a portfolio. We piloted a program called ePUB which allowed students to electronically publish their portfolios. These portfolios could be viewed in book form on iPads, iPods, and eReaders. Student buy-in was tremendous, and the majority of students were successful. We had one student who showed particular interest in this project. A student who had struggled for years behaviorally and academically. The ePUB set high expectations which we took a step further when we asked a student to put in an application to present at the annual MLTI conference at UMO. After the student was approved he had to meet several times with the co-ordintor of the conference to make sure he was prepared. This was far above and beyond anything this student had done before. He was one of three opening speakers who spoke in front of 2000 7-12 graders. I have linked the video of his presentation.
 * Evidence 3 D-PAtH RT:**

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5EHbBkmPac