Secondary Education: The School Development Program at Work in Three High Schools

Abstract

This article brings together stories of how the School Development Program (SDP) is working at three different high schools. West Mecklenburg and Myers Park in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Timberland High School in Berkeley County, South Carolina, all had to reexamine their educational programs as well as the entire school environment when new groups of at-risk students transferred into the schools. The SDP provided a means of bringing all members of the various school communities together--parents, students, teachers, and administrators--to manage appropriate changes. The processes of team formation, committee work, and collaboration with the community are described as well as the various scheduling changes and new academic programs that were created to address student needs. The cumulative growth of experience with the SDP through personal contacts, national training events, and interdistrict consultation is also emphasized.