The Future of Education

Torrington High School

Lisa A. Debany
Post University

Torrington School District

Torrington High School

Public Secondary Education

Total student enrollment- 984
28.6% minority population
40.6% of students receive free or reduced lunch
4.1% students are not fluent in English
8.2% of students identified as talented and gifted.
Graduation rate- 79.9%
Drop out rate- 2.0%
Percent pursuing higher education- 74.2%

Technology
Blended Learning Models
Provide progress to
personalized learning.
Active learning and
engagement
More collaboration among
students- peer engagement.
Improve 21st century skills

Futuring Techniques
Scenarios
Technique used to anticipate
future changes in education.
Several future situations are
anticipated and creative
thinking is used to develop
strategies.
Collaboration among key
team members.

Scanning
Collect statistically
significant data to assist in
futuring process.
Observations of students,
faculty, parents and
administration. Identify
perceptions.
Monitor trends in
educational institution

Positive Aspects and Challenges of

techniques
Positive Aspects
Allows for strategic, proactive
decision making.
New situations can be handled
with confidence.

Challenges
Process of scanning and
building scenarios is time
consuming and costly.

Increase rapport and

communication among faculty,
administration, and parents.

Monitoring of the environment

is required to ensure prior
decisions made still apply.

Resources can be anticipated and

allocated.

Challenging process requiring

skilled individuals or experts.

Technology Trends
Student Centered
Learning

Flipped
Classroom

Accommodate students
with varying ability
levels.
Work at own pace.

Increased teacherstudent- peer

interactions

Students are more

active learners. Take
ownership of education.

Adaptive to meet
student & teacher needs

Reinforce 21st century

skills

Class time used to

reinforce higher level
thinking

Student partnerships
and internship
possibilities.

Self-directed learning is
facilitated

Demographic Trends

Increase in ELL populations

Cultural misunderstandings may occur
Increase need for bilingual resources
Self-directed learning specific to
population needs.

ECONOMIC TRENDS
Property tax assessment of wealth results in
discrepancy of funding between districts.
Supplemental funds from grants needed
Develop partnerships with local businesses
to assist with resources and student
internships
Budget planning and preparation for
allocating resources.
Budget to include professional development
and teacher training.

Political Trends
Every Student Succeeds Act2015
State and local districts determine goals for
student success
Curriculum could be revised to align with
technology implementation
Determine appropriate student assessments
to monitor progress
Collect data and use to inform instruction.

Vision/Plan
School Climate
Improve

Involve all stakeholders in the planning

and implementation process of
proposed changes.

Distribute leadership responsibilities to

foster ownership and personalized
learning.

Foster creative and innovative learning

environments by develop the school
courtyard to create gardens and an
outdoor classroom.

Expand the schools Faculty Leadership

Committee to include parents, Board of
Education members, and community
partners.

Provide teachers with common

planning time to build collaboration..

Vision/Plan
And Learning
Increase Student
Engagement

Continue with the approved BYOD policy.

Use Faculty Leadership Committee to

plan steps for implementation and
continue to develop scenarios for future
adaptations.

Hire technology support personnel to be

present on a daily basis.

Provide teachers with professional

development sessions on embedding
technology lessons in the classroom.

Evaluate the technology requirements

for Blended Learning Models such as
network capabilities for multiple log on

Provide time for teachers to work with

other educators to create and align
curriculum to include technology,
problem-based, and cross-disciplinary
lessons.

Use Flipped Classroom model of

instruction.

Create personalized learning

opportunities by partnering with local

Plan for Change

Schedule ongoing professional development for teachers on

using BYOD Technology in the classroom and Flipped Classroom
instruction.
Schedule common planning time for teachers with-in and across
disciplines and modify curriculum to incorporate problem based
lessons.
Expand the Faculty Leadership Committee to include all
stakeholders and utilize the committee to identify immediate
resources needed.
Administration identifies and applies for grants to implement
technology.
Hire technology personnel and make all necessary updates to

Call to Action

Educators work together to share ideas and best

practices. Brainstorm ideas on how to implement
technology and personal, blended learning
approaches to increase student engagement and
learning.

Plan visits to exemplar schools that are using the

blended learning model.
Update technology needs for successful
implementation.

References

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