By STEFAN VELASQUEZ, 11

 

Big changes are coming to Bryan Adams High

School. Next school year, 2015- 2016, BA will

be classified as a “choice school” and will be

newly branded as Bryan Adams Leadership

Academy.  Choice schools will offer the same

types of instructional approaches and themes as

Magnet Schools but will NOT have any academic

entry requirements which opens up great

opportunities to Dallas students. BA is one of

only seven schools chosen by Dallas ISD’s Office

of Transformation and Innovation in March.

 

To fully understand the changes it is important

to know what it means to be a “choice school.”

The school will have an altered focus from one

of general academics to one with a specific skill or a “best fit” for the student. These different education paths can be a personalized

education school or a STEAM (science,

technology, engineering, arts, math) program or

Leadership Academy. Traditional courses will be

offered but the specialized element will provide students a new direction of education to pursue.

 

As a result of the changing focus at BA the school will be adopting a new schedule. The different format is commonly known as “block schedule.” Two days a week, “A” Days, students attend 1st-4th period from 9AM to 4:15PM. Two other days, “B” Days, students attend 5th-8th periods. One day of the week is called the “C” day where students attend all classes, 1st-8th periods. In addition, during at least three days of the week there will be a 30 minute block of time allowing students to plan and complete activities devoted to clubs or elective classes. Most clubs like JROTC, Student Council, Key Club and Art Club will still be offered at BA. This time could also be a time devoted to improving a student’s academics if he or she is struggling in a particular class. The unique twist on the new schedule is that during 1 day of the 4 block days will be devoted to leadership classes where students learn leadership skills. Assistant principal Mike Moran, one of the architects of the plan, said these plans are tentative and the staff is still working on the details.

 

“Nothing is set in stone yet but the days will still run on the template of 4 days being on the block schedule and 1 day being a regular day,” he said.

 

In order for students to demonstrate the amount of improvement they’ve made during their high school years the program will require a student made and managed portfolio. This portfolio will include examples of how a student has changed during the course of their tears at BA. In order to prove that students have achieved proficiency in leadership abilities the seniors will have to present their portfolio to their teachers, graders and peers in what is called a portfolio defense. During the portfolio defense the student will give a presentation basically about what and how a student has learned through their four years in the leadership academy.

 

The reason for these changes is to prepare students to compete in the future job market with skills in communication, problem solving, making clear decisions and being effective in a team. Today’s recruiters for big industries are on the lookout for these skills.

 

According to Danielle Walker, a corporate recruiter for Raytheon, people with the skill set to be taught at BA will increasingly be in demand in the ever more competitive world marketplace.

 

“Even if a possible employee has the specific education required for the position, we still look into how the person interacts when introduced into an environment where teamwork is required in the job,” she said.

 

Dallas ISD Leadership Academies strive to develop students into impactful leaders through the development of their intellectual, moral, physical, social and emotional skills for the global society of tomorrow.

 

Teachers and administrators at BA know that the change to come will be challenging and difficult but hopefully the future BA graduates will reap the rewards.

 

“This is an exciting and promising opportunity for our students and the community at Bryan Adams High School,” said BA Principal, Richard Kastl.

 

05.13.15