1. Sustaining an Academy in Tough Economic Times
This presentation can be viewed at:
http://www.sjrbiz.info “P.D. Presentations”
or
http://www.ezeport.com/NAF%20Institute/index.htm
Presenter: Stephen Rocco
Academy of Finance Director
Smithfield High School
Smithfield, RI
Email: SRocco@smithfield-ps.org
Our website: http://www.shsaof.org
Slide Handouts – 1-2, 7-15, 44
7-Jul-10 SRocco@smithfield-ps.org 1
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Fun & Interesting Resources
• You Tube “Sesame Street Explains Bernie Madoff”
• ABC News’ Robert Krulwich Explains the Credit Crunch
• Mike Barnacle’s View on College Acceptance/Rejection Letters
• Father Guido Sarducci “Five Minute University”
• Teacher Tube “Pay Attention – Digital Learners”
• Google Docs
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2. We Earn District Support
• School Committee, District and Building
Administrators, Families (Taxpayers)
How do They Support Us?
• Commitment to the Program through:
– Job Retention (4 Business Teachers)
– Lower Class Sizes and Priority Scheduling
– Funding ($6,000)
– Approval of Field Trips
– Approval of Professional Development
– Allow some Autonomy
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We Earn District Support
• Why do they support us?
Because we . . .
– Provide Publicity – Newspaper, Radio Show, Legislature
– Report Annually to School Committee to Show Data
– Maintain Student Achievement at a High Level
– Meet Expectations and Standards
– Go The Extra Mile
– Maintain College Articulation Agreements
– Have 100% Post-Secondary Enrollment
– Provide Community Outreach
– Include them in all Meeting and Event Invitations
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3. We use “Entrepreneurial Actions” to create a “Root Structure.”
Embedding your Academy Roots so
deep it makes it difficult for the school
board and administrators to pull up.
Like a tree and like a business, your
academy has internal factors (controlled)
and external (uncontrolled) threats that
lead to your success or failure.
Take control internally and minimize the
risk of damage from outside threats!
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Some Recommendations
This is not about your job security. It is about
your entire Business, FCS, or Technology
department’s security. Create your own “added
value” and “think long term” even if they (district
administrators) can’t.
– Look for Opportunities – Be Proactive
– Be Aware of Threats
– Be Innovative & Flexible
– Be Patient
– Don’t Get Discouraged – Be Perseverant
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4. Some Recommendations
Electives are an “endangered species”, but
with an academy you can develop them
into a “branded” product.
Most Importantly
– Understand that nothing you do is fool proof.
– There is no true security.
– You are working to put the odds in your favor.
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3 Stages of Academy Development
1. Planning and Initial Implementation to Develop
• Y.O.P., Course Structure, Outcomes, District and Admin. Approvals,
Student Application Process, etc.
2. Build/Grow
• Build Member Benefits, Advisory Board, Use Data to Self-Assess, Begin
Promoting
3. Sustain (Maturation)
• Modify, Revise, Use Data to Self-Assess, Continue Promoting
Ultimate Goals are:
– Embed Those Roots
– Maintain your Enrollments and Membership
– Maintain District Support
(Illustrations Next)
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5. Stage 1 - Prioritizing to Startup and Develop
Initial District
#1 Sustain *High Effort
Commitment Build Active
Faculty *Effort
“The How?” Advisory Board
*High Effort *High Effort Develop Internship
Process
Build Data to Show Begin Promoting to
Student Achievement Promote Program to Students District Administrators
Build And Parents
College Connection
Build
Develop
Class Enrollments
“Added Value”
and Membership
Membership Benefits
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Stage 2 - Prioritizing to Build/Grow
Begin Building
Community
Outreach
#1 Sustain Medium
N/A Faculty *Effort Continue Building
Advisory Board
Remain High Remain High Assist with
Internships
Maintain and Show Promote Program to Students
Continue Promoting
Student Achievement Ongoing Basis
District Administrators
Involve Student Membership
Maintain and Parents
Bi-Annual Student Recruitment
College Connection Add Community
Maintain and Revise Build and Maintain Begin to Build
“Added Value” Class Enrollments District
Membership Benefits and Membership Commitment
“The Why?”
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6. Stage 3 - Prioritizing to Sustain Success
*Click on a Shape to Access Topic of Interest Maintain
Community
Outreach
#1 Sustain Low
N/A Faculty *Effort Maintain Active
Advisory Board
Medium Remain High Assist with
Internships
Maintain and Show Continue Promoting to Students Continue Promoting to
Student Achievement Ongoing Basis District Administrators
Involve Student Membership Parents and Community
Maintain Bi-Annual Student Recruitment
College Connection
Remain High
Maintain and Revise Sustain Sustain
“Added Value” Class Enrollments
Membership Benefits
District
and Membership
Commitment
“The Why?”
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Visit us at: www.shsaof.org
• Our Teaching Entrepreneurship Web Site
http://www.ezeport.com/NAF%20Institute/Entrepreneurship.htm
• EZ E-Portfolios
http://www.ezeport.com
• Excellent Business Ed. Resources
http://www.sjrbiz.info
http://www.ezeport.com/NAF%20Institute/Resources.htm
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