Objective 1.2 - Albemarle County School District

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ACPS will develop structures that support students’ academic mental health for both proactive and intervention purposes. We will ensure that academic time demands placed on students allow them adequate time to pursue their personal interests, including enrichment activities, life-long learning and career goals.

Objective 1.2 Strategies

Strategy 1 - Standards-Based Reporting

Strategy 2 - Outside Interests

Objective 1.2, Strategy 2, of Learning for All states:

ACPS will ensure academic requirements allow students time to pursue interests outside of school.

The following work around this strategy was completed in the 2021-22 school year:

Implemented multiple elements of the High School Redesign including the removal of weighted grades and a study of a 7+1 schedule; continued homework policy monitoring; and further developed Career Learning Communities
Implemented Talent Development alignment from K-8 with outlined roles of Talent Development Resource Teachers and guidance counselors

Strategy 3 - Seven Academic Period Day

Objective 1.2, Strategy 3, of Learning for All, states:

ACPS will investigate the value of implementing a seven academic period day with one additional period for enrichment in high schools. The additional period would contain the Freshman Seminar and escalated versions of it for upper grades.

The following work around this strategy was completed in the 2021-22 school year:

Conducted a program evaluation and research with EAB on a 7-period day
Formed a steering team which met multiple times and developed potential 7+1 scheduling options

Strategy 4 - Alternative Pathways Credit

Objective 1.2, Strategy 4, of Learning for All states:

ACPS will increase the number of students receiving course credit via alternative pathways as outlined in Board policy IKFD.

The following work around this strategy was completed in the 2021-22 school year:

Developed, implemented and communicated clear processes for students to request alternative pathway credit
Determined how many students are receiving credit from alternative pathways as of June 2022

Strategy 5 - Digital Citizenship

Objective 1.2, Strategy 5, of Learning for All states:

ACPS will implement an embedded digital citizenship curriculum by grade level to promote the balanced and healthy use of technology for student success.

The following work around this strategy was completed in the 2021-22 school year:

Partnered with the Department of Instruction to provide schools with resources and professional learning to teach digital citizenship
Reviewed the digital citizenship lessons for grades K through 8
Created a revised Family Field Guide for Technology Use and distributed these revised documents to students and families. See the documents here:
- » Keeping Our Kids Safe and Healthy in a Digital World: A Technology & Digital Citizenship Field Guide for ACPS Families
- » Manteniendo A Nuestros Estudiantes Seguros Y Saludables en un Mundo Digital: Una Guía Práctica para el uso de Tecnología y Cuidadanía Digital Para las Familias de ACPS
Held 15 Technology Nights for Families during the 2021-22 school year to promote the safe use to technology by students and families

Objective 1.2 Metrics

Objective 1.2 Key Metrics
Adherence to Grading Practices: Our goal is to ensure that all ACPS staff are adhering to current grading policies that have been developed to provide support structures to our students' academic mental health as outlined in Objective 1.2	Common Sense District Designation: Our goal is to increase the number of schools in our division that receive the Common Sense School badge.
Adherence to Homework Policy: Our goal is to ensure that ACPS staff continue to adhere to our current Homework Policy.	Increased Use of Alternative Pathways: Our goal is to see an increase in students who receive credit from alternative pathways courses.
Panorama Survey Results: Our goal is that the results of our Student Panorama Surveys show that our students are more satisfied with their school experience than the national average.	Understanding Digital Citizenship: Our goal is to ensure that every student at ACPS understands what it means to be a Digital Citizen and that 100% of students report this understand on our annual Speak Up or similar survey.
Reduction in Study Hall Enrollment: Our goal is to see a reduction in the number of students enrolled in a high school study hall.	Mental Health Referrals: Our goal is to see a decrease in the number of mental health referrals from our school counselors and nurses.