Bridgeport Schools strengthening student agency
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BRIDGEPORT -- The students of Bridgeport Exempted Village School District are taking a leading role in determining their futures, with educators learning new ways of making student agency central.
On Sept. 8, the Bulldogs welcomed back Mike Nicholson, founder of Learning InspirED, who is working with area schools using a grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation. Last school year, Nicholson met with administrators and staff leaders who would go on to gather information about student agency. They reviewed the data during the summer, and Nicholson said they expect to find more applications every year.
"How do we learn and equip ourselves to give kids more control over their educational lives, where kids can have more decision making over their school experience?" he said in between talks with teams of teachers.
Bridgeport Schools is creating a culture where students feel secure in exercising control.
"How supportive is the environment for kids? Does it allow them to make decisions? If they do make decision and make the wrong decision, how forgiving is the culture so kids can rebound and go at it again?"
The teachers looked at different factors that influence culture, including practices, structures and communication. They looked for patterns, asking themselves if these factors are repeated with positive or negative results.
Nicholson guided the teachers as they found themes and made connections across groups.
"They're sorting it through the kids' eyes."
Nicholson was impressed by the local participation.
"This is a culture change, so it's a multi-year effort," he said. "They've been committed to this."
The teachers will seek feedback from students, such as how they respond to adults trusting them with more decisions.
Nicholson complimented the newly opened multipurpose Bridge facility as a sign of Bridgeport's commitment to nurturing the whole child.
"They were doing some things that were already moving in this direction," he said. "The new building is going to open up more space. This is about creating space, metaphorically and literally creating space for kids to have more choice and more decision making."
Nicholson noted many see "culture" as an abstract concept, but they were bringing in specificity and zeroing in on areas of improvement.
Teachers offered suggestions such as more structured downtime or ways adults can send regular cues to students to let them know they have a voice at Bridgeport Schools.
Middle School Principal Aaron Marovich spoke up about the value of giving students autonomy, recalling when he took College Credit Plus classes. Having started his first year at the district, Marovich is impressed by the initiative and working with his teachers as they give the middle schoolers some early experience with choice in their education.
"This is a great idea, putting agency into students and allowing them to build out their education," he said prior to addressing the teachers.
He added students will have even more choices in high school. The newly opened Bridge, with its variety of courses, including advanced manufacturing and veterinary health, reflects this value.
"That all goes into student agency and our building is shifting towards that way," he said. "Go Dogs!"
Bridgeport High School Principal Jack Fisher said his staff has already started with a core group of student leaders who are voicing opinions and giving input.
"We're giving students more choice. They have more options and direction. It gives them a voice in their future and the pathway they want to choose. Some personalization for how they want to go through high school," he said. "I'm excited we were able to share this with K-12 staff and teachers."
Bridgeport Elementary School Principal Kamaron Sabinski said this was a great way to start the year.
"Really excited about the progression of student agency. Very excited that Mr. Nicholson is doing professional development for the entire district at one time."
John Martin is one of the new teachers in the Bridge, introducing his students to advanced manufacturing. He appreciates Nicholson helping staff analyze themselves to offer the best instruction.
"It's nice to go through and discuss and try to understand what the culture of Bridgeport High School is, and how we may actively alter that to help students learn better," he said. He was interested in seeing more student-teacher collaboration to develop projects. "That may be something in the future to focus on, where students devote time where students can bring their ideas and contribute to the learning experience themselves, especially after they get some experience."
Dana Kreiter, teaching health at the Bridge, agreed more choices could improve the hands-on elements.
Curriculum Director Leslie Kosanovic observed the active participation.
"We're known for an invitational culture here at Bridgeport and I'm grateful to always be a part of that team," she said. "We're always in an improvement mode. Always trying to make what's already good better."
The district also hosted Ashley Garrett, national literacy consultant with Benchmark Education Company, who visited classrooms with Bridgeport Schools literacy coach Sharon Liston. Garrett observed how teachers implemented Benchmark's program for pre-K through sixth grade. Afterward, she met with teachers to discuss the lessons.
"I'm seeing great things in the classrooms," she said. "The teachers here have embraced it very well and they're doing a great job with their implementation."
ELA teacher Tessa Kinsey, for example, had her middle schoolers read a book about the California Gold Rush and ask in-depth questions about the time period.
In addition, some of the new teachers learned more about the teacher evaluation system and the different evidence teachers can produce when evaluated. Speaking for his fellow teachers starting out at Bridgeport, Martin appreciated the help.