Solutions That Work

At HSA, our focus is simple: use what works. We advocate for proven strategies to increase student outcomes, promote a positive learning environment, reverse enrollment decline, and build back trust in our district leaders.

Curriculum & Instruction:

Adopt a strong, knowledge-building Tier 1 elementary ELA curriculum aligned with The Science of Reading.
Adopt a strong, Tier 1 elementary math curriculum aligned with The Science of Math. Provide teachers with support and training in The Science of Math.
Restore accelerated learning options in elementary and middle school. Take inspiration from diverse peer districts that have maintained their accelerated learning programs.
Learn from successful in-district programs, like XinXing Academy, and replicate what works across all schools.
Increase the amount of explicit, fully-guided instruction across grade-levels.
Reduce reliance on Educational Technology (EdTech) and increase access to physical books, paper, and writing utensils.

School Board Policies & Practices:

Establish an official Curriculum Advisory Committee that meets regularly and makes recommendations to the school board.
Require official school board review, discussion, and approval of all major curriculum adoptions and/or changes.
Adopt school board goals that focus on improving student outcomes.
Revise or create a new district-wide strategic plan that focuses on improving core instruction, academic growth and proficiency, and stabilizing enrollment. Align the new or revised strategic plan to required state initiatives including Local Literacy, Comprehensive Achievement and Civic Readiness, and Achievement & Integration plans.
Offer regular public reporting on student growth/achievement based on high-quality, objective data.
Set clear targets to keep administrative spending in line with peer districts.
Set clear targets to direct funds toward classroom instruction and student support services.

The Learning Environment:

Create shared behavioral expectations with consistent enforcement of appropriate consequences, and implement behavioral supports across all school sites.
Adopt a strong cell phone policy that is enforced consistently district-wide.
Ensure adequate paraprofessional staffing in classrooms, especially in the early elementary grades.
Improve access to gender-neutral bathrooms, especially at the high school.
Restore the relationship with local law enforcement and emergency management partners.
Reinstate trained school resource officers (SROs) at the high school.