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As the number of low-income students in the bi-state region increases, there is a growing need to improve student outcomes using the proven strategies that PREP-KC supports. The percentage of low-income students in the Grandview School District (GSD) increased from 57.4% in 2007 to 65.2% in 2009. (See sidebar for more information.) In fall 2008 the leadership of the Grandview School District launched a planning process in partnership with PREP-KC, which was designed to bring new strategies to Grandview High School. These strategies are designed to better prepare all students for college and careers.
 More than 50% of the low-income students
in Kansas City's five-county region attend school in one of PREP-KC's six partner
school districts. The percentage of low-income students is growing in
these districts:
The GSD leadership team used student data to drive the planning process. The data below provide a baseline and show where Grandview High School, in partnership with PREP-KC, is focused on improving student outcomes.
- 18.8% of students scored "Proficient" or "Advanced" on the Math end-of-course exams. (2009)
- 59.6% of students scored "Proficient" or "Advanced" on the Communication Arts end-of-course exams. (2009)
- 80.7% of students graduated. (2009)
- 52.6% of graduates took the ACT exam. (2008; 2009 data not yet available)
- The composite ACT score for the district was 18.7. (2009)
"The numbers were not where we wanted them to be," said Barbara Tate, Assistant Superintendent. "We knew we had to make changes. As part of our planning process, we are now working with PREP-KC to set new student outcome goals."
In fall 2009, as a result of strategic decisions from district leaders and technical support from PREP-KC, Grandview High School opened with full implementation of career-themed Small Learning Communities (SLCs), Family Advocacy and Math Benchmarking. In order for students and teachers to develop meaningful, long-term relationships, students take most of their classes within their selected SLCs.
The Grandview High School SLC career themes are:
- International Business Management (IBM)
- Engineering, Manufacturing, Technology (EMT)
- Health and Human Sciences (HHS)
- Performing Arts and Communications (PAC)
"The initial implementation of the SLC structure at Grandview High School is one of the best I have seen across the country," said Steve Gering, PREP-KC District-Level Strategic Coach, who supported the high school in its planning and implementation. "Though this kind of change is challenging, Grandview High School has had a successful launch due to the commitment of its principal and teachers, and support from the superintendent's team and school board."
By implementing SLCs, Family Advocacy and Math Benchmarking, Grandview High School expects:
- Strong, long-term relationships between teachers, students and families
- Improved academic rigor in core courses
- Strategies that support college and career preparation for all students
By making these improvements, Grandview High School has strengthened its ability to create better results for its students. While district and regional demographics may continue to change, the GSD is implementing strategies that can continue to improve student proficiency in math, high school graduation, and preparation for college and careers.
"The most significant change I have seen since implementing SLCs is the way teachers communicate with one another," Susan Dunham, School Improvement Facilitator at Grandview High School, said. "Even though the SLCs are still new at our school, teachers are already taking on leadership roles in ways I have never seen at GHS. Teachers who were passive are now vocal and active in challenging their colleagues to move forward. Many have commented that they value the support they get from their fellow teachers. There is a different energy at GHS, and much of it is fueled by the ideas and interventions generated by teachers in their SLCs."
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