Recently, teams of teachers and administrators from McGavock and Antioch High Schools attended the 2010 Focus on Freshmen conference in Los Angeles. The conference was hosted by Academic Innovations, a leader in Freshman Transition curriculum development and implementation. Both schools presented workshops at the conference. McGavock Academy Coach Paula Barkley and Antioch Assistant Principal Debbie Booker served as panelists in the general session. At the end of the session, McGavock's team was presented the gold medal and Antioch's team the silver medal for their outstanding implementation of the Freshman Transition curriculum.

The intensive professional development conference focused on several tools and resources that have been proven successful at increasing student success and graduation. Breakout sessions included effective teaming for small learning communities; overcoming challenges to increase student, parent and community involvement; implementation of a school-wide initiative built around every student having a 10-year plan; how to fund the freshman transition effort; and how to ensure lasting school-wide change through the use of technology and media resources.

Built around the Course Standards for Freshman Transition Classes, which were developed by George Washington University’s Freshman Transition Initiative, the McGavock and Antioch teams came away with a 10-step plan for a school-wide reform effort that will impact dropout rates, academic achievement, and college matriculation.

For details about this national model program, visit http://www.academicinnovations.com/fti