"Going from Good to Great!"

Santa Susana High School

Intervention Program

The intervention program began in February 2005 as a program for 9th graders who had under a 2.0 GPA at semester time. A referral form was sent around to every teacher to find out what were the students’ major weaknesses, and based on the given information, interventions would be applied. One major observation made by teachers was incomplete homework. The Intervention Specialists then worked on making sure all assignments were written down in a central location and asked for parental supervision of those assignments. Those students who had very active parents showed remarkable progress, but of course the reverse was also true. Out of the 106 originally identified, 40 were put on contract (their parents had attended meetings and signed contracts outlining interventions), and many had improved grades at the end of 4th quarter.

At the beginning of this school year (05-06), we invited those same students again to participate in the program using weekly agenda book sign-offs by IS and daily checks by parents. At the end of the first quarter, we found that many of the students who had improved at the end of last year, slipped again during the 1st quarter because IS was not having enough influence over their work habits. We decided that an additional intervention was necessary: Homework Time. The IS would monitor students, provide a time and place for students to complete homework and answer questions when needed.

At the same time we set up two nights for all identified students and their parents to come as an information and sign-up meeting. 250 letters were sent to all freshmen, (142 students) and sophomores (106) with first quarter GPA’s under 2.0. Out of these meetings, almost 100 contracts were signed. These contract required attendance at homework time on specific days, and concerns of the parents and students were spelled out. A tracking system of weekly, bi-weekly or daily agenda book checks as requested by parents was established for those students who had an 8th period and were unable to attend homework time. Parents are notified on a daily basis if a student does not check in or attend the homework session as specified in the contract.

Currently there are 95 students enrolled, the vast majority having at least one day of after-school homework session specified. At the semester mark, after only four weeks of homework time and interventions, there were 67% of student who had improved their GPA’s, (including 10 by 1 full point or more!) There were 12 that stayed the same and a few who still were going down. These students, we are watching closely second semester, to find the weak link that is not allowing then to succeed (is it a question of organization? time management? or something else?)

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