-- The R.I. Board of Regents regulations (2003) to implement new graduation expectations/ requirements for the class of 2008.

-- PHS academic, civic and social expectations.

-- Breaking Ranks II recommendations that state:

1. Each high school will identify a set of essential learnings—in literature, language usage, writing, mathematics, social studies, science and the arts in which students must demonstrate achievement in order to graduate.

2. Schools will develop a strategic plan to make technology integral to curriculum, instruction and assessment, accommodating different learning styles and helping teachers to individualize and improve the learning process.

-- NEASC standards: 1.3, 2.2, 2.4, 3.2.

1. Adjust graduation requirements to include two of the following: Senior project, Digital Portfolio, Certificate of Initial Mastery, Standards-based exams

1a. Hire a coordinator to oversee the graduation by proficiency mandates.

1b. Continue to increase communication to parents regarding graduation by proficiency.

1c. Train teachers in the rSMART system, which will be utilized by students and teachers to place work on a student digital portfolio

1d. Train teachers on the four primary elements of Senior Project and the specific details under all four elements.

1e. Teachers will attend the NCEE (America’s Choice) training.

1. Continue to provide professional development opportunities to faculty in all elements of graduation by proficiency

1a. Post a job description, and interview candidates for a GBP coordinator.

1b. Continue the utilization of the following to inform parents /guardians of the GBP mandates: principal list serve, principal newsletter, interim reports, academic progress reports, report cards, and regular meetings.

1c. Following their training, teachers will teach students how to upload their work into their portfolios.

1d. In conjunction with the GBP Coordinator, teachers will train members of the faculty on the elements of Digital Portfolio and Senior Project.

1e. Teachers will return to school following the NCEE (America’s Choice) activities and train others on how to connect their work to specific standards for student performance.

1. Higher frequency of teacher participation in professional development opportunities regarding graduation by proficiency.

1a. Begin implementation of GBP with the hiring of a coordinator.

1b. The hard evidence of the following that will exhibit continued communication with parents/guardians regarding GBP: list serve messages, newsletters, interim reports, academic progress reports, report cards, regular meetings.

1c. Students will showcase their work on their digital portfolio. Through various means, students will explain their work and how it aligns with the PHS academic expectations for student learning

1d. Timelines and other protocols will be implemented for all seniors in order to begin their Senior Project work.

1e. Department meeting agendas will be collected by administration to guarantee the implementation of new, specific strategies to help with the alignment of GBP elements with content standards and applied learning standards.