Highline Public Schools has applied for a federal grant that would fund changes at Cascade and Chinook Middle Schools. The grant opportunity is part of new federal regulations that identify high-poverty schools with large numbers of struggling students. In order to get the funds, districts must agree to restructure the schools by next fall.

Though the restructuring is not mandated this year, school districts have been told to expect that it will be required next year and that funds to implement the changes will be substantially limited at that time. By moving ahead with restructuring now, Cascade and Chinook each stand to receive a substantial amount of federal money over three years to pay for the changes.

School districts applying for the grant were required to select one of four restructuring models, including closing the school, turning it into a charter school (which is not allowed under Washington State law), and replacing the principal and half the staff.

Highline has selected the model dubbed "transformation," which requires the district to replace the principal, establish new evaluation criteria for teachers that include student progress, increase community and parent involvement in the school, extend learning time for students, and other reforms.

Highline Superintendent John Welch acknowledged that the new federal regulations imply that sole responsibility for getting middle school students to grade level lies with middle school teachers and principals. "We know there are other issues that need to be addressed-in elementary schools, in our system as a whole, and in the community," says Welch. "Still, this is an opportunity to gain significant resources we haven't had before to tackle issues at the middle school level."

In late February, a team of 45 people, including teachers, central office staff, parents, and community partners, gathered for a two-day summit to begin formulating a restructuring plan. Sarah Weir of the White Center Community Development Association, one of the community partners to participate on the planning team, says she left the summit "feeling really optimistic about the passion and commitment of the people who serve our kids."

"We recognize the need for school reform," says Chinook teacher Amber Larson. "We believe all students are capable of reaching their dreams, and we're excited about the possibilities these changes will mean for our students." She emphasized that "school staff, central office leaders, the school board, and parents all hold responsibility and need to work together to make changes."

Theresa Carlson, Cascade teacher and vice-president of the Highline Education Association agrees. "We need to start climbing this mountain and taking some risks. We are all in this together." The plan calls for the school district to support the restructuring plans through policy, technical assistance, commitment from the school board, and creation of a plan to sustain the changes beyond the life of the three-year grant.

"The plan builds on the great work that is already happening and Chinook and Cascade," says Superintendent Welch.

The school district expects to know by March 26 if the funds will be granted. The money could start flowing to the schools by April. If that happens, teachers would start professional development this summer. There could also be summer programs for incoming seventh graders. The schools would open in September with the changes in place.

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