Reinventing 9th Grade – Academics Through Personalization

Reinventing 9th Grade – Academics Through Personalization is a guidebook for high school leaders who are ready to make a significant commitment of resources to the academic success of all 9th graders.

As a comprehensive resource for planning a 9th grade initiative, the chapters are designed for a "flow" in the decision-making process, beginning with the rationale for why high schools must change and why 9th graders' success is the foundation for the greatness of any high school.

Next, the focus turns to what needs to be considered as a school progresses through the planning process. Among topics covered are:

• planning and goal setting
• personalization
• overview of small learning communities
• role of parents
• program structure decisions
• curriculum decisions
• rigor and relevance
• school civility and character development
• staff assignments
• pyramid of academic interventions
• critical relationship to grades 10 through 12

• professional development strategies
• program marketing suggestions
• case studies of five 9th grade success initiatives