School community engagement and research approaches

¶ … Kanawha as part of the research school community; it will look at the district's philosophy and mission as well the innovative programs that it has put in place. It will also look at Kanawha areas of particular interest and review its achievements too.

Kanawha district philosophy is aimed at seeing that it provides quality programs to the students in an attempt to support their growth and encourage their success from the very beginning. The district recognizes the importance of education and how it can change an individual future life and so its philosophy is to see that this is provided with a lot of quality. By working together, we will ensure that every child has a great chance to succeed as the next

Besides that the Kanawha district recognize the importance of technology especially in the 21st century and so it is also prepared to move through the 21st century by adopting technology to ensure that children receive an education that prepares them for tomorrow. This means introducing technology to help students be technologically savvy.'

Besides philosophies towards students the Kanawha County School district is also working towards breaking new ground in education delivery models and professionals development strategies for teachers. As a mater of fact, the largest district in Kanawha country and the 17th largest district in the state of West Virginia is rapidly becoming a model for the state and the nation by introducing models for student's future success and teacher's professional growth. (Banks, 2001)

The Kanawha district also aims at having a group of graduates from the school who have acquired technological and critical thinking skills they need to compete in today's global market place. 'Our ability to achieve greatness is entirely dependent upon our desire to achieve that greatness.' (Hirst & White, 1998)

Last year saw the completion the first three newest schools. The schools are designed around principles of 21st century. What this means that they have adopted the 21st learning that emphasize higher-order thinking skills, problem solving, and comfort with the latest technologies. The district has already passed an excess levy that aims at paying for a technology investment plan that will ultimately put smart boards and presentations stands in every classroom and dramatically lower the districts' students-to- computer ratio.

Apart from that the Kanawha district is also aimed at introducing a new academic curriculum. There is already a program in place called TechSteps that integrate blogs, podcasts, and more cutting-edge technological applications into the curriculum and two new curriculum concepts, Global Loria for the high school students and Depth of knowledge for the elementary and middle school students. The former uses technology to integrate all curricular areas and the latter emphasizes pushing students beyond what typical multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank tests required.

The district will introduce an elementary school that will rely on the self-directed learning and leadership principles set forth by Stephen Covey in the book The Leader in Me. Already the school and the students who will attend the school are working together; both the students and the schools are working on the new school programs, they are also working on introducing important principles like how to have a win-win situation and doing the most important things first.

The district also aims at teaching and bringing teachers and students together and also to be more effective in solving problems and how to analyze and answer questions at a higher critical-thinking level.

The Kanawha district also aims at building another third school- an elementary school, but this one will be designed around truly bleeding-edge education principles. Apart from that the district will also be making efforts to support the teachers in the district by making ground breaking programs for its professional support for teachers. The program uses professional learning communities. Currently there are 69 programs at community level across the district, seven to 10 each high school and about four in each elementary or middle school. (U.S. Dept of Defense, 1995)

In each of the community there is a facilitator from a consulting firm, these facilitators were hired four years ago to launch the program and train the teachers during five professional development days. The state grants each district along with two-early-release days. Between those meetings, each community meets to review the material and develop plans to apply the principles, such as second chances for students in the classroom.

The Kanawha district school has also come up with innovative programs meant to assist the students excel and have outstanding performances. Talented students with outstanding performances, or have been identified to be potential performers at high levels of accomplishments are identified and given enriched instructions. Each school has instructions tailored for students identified as gifted and talented. In addition to local school offering, MCPS offers a selection of specialized programs.

The other innovative thing that has been put forward by the Kanawha County School systems is the provision of the summer foodservice program. The program will provide free breakfast and lunch to students 18 and younger. Those that are 18 and over will be charged $3 for breakfast and $4 for lunch. The summer menu is on a two-week rotating schedule. The meals will provide the nutritional value and it will be easily packaged and transported to the students. Meals that will be provided include foods such as nachos with beef and cheese, corndogs, chicken tenders, hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, pizza and other food delivery the required nutritional value. Some of the sites will provide sustenance for a student's mind as well.