Salem Releases Draft Of High School Turnaround Plan

SALEM, MA — Salem High School has individual activities in place to help students succeed, but needs a "systematic approach and leadership" to make sure those activities are coordinated to help all students, according to a 2018-19 assessment. The school system released a draft turnaround plan this week that seeks to improve that coordination and leadership over the next three to five years. The district is currently seeking feedback on the draft turnaround plan.

"SHS seeks to significantly improve academic performance and equip students for success in the 21st Century workforce and in college," the district wrote in the plan's executive summary. The school is currently ranked in the ninth percentile in the state. The assessment leading to the plan included soliciting feedback from staff, teachers, students, parents, and community partners.

Among the problems identified in the assessment:

• Lack of connections between students and staff and the school
• Inconsistent quality of instruction
• Lagging student performance results
• Poor attendance and use of time
• Lack of empowerment, engagement and leadership
• Lack of consistent and transparent communication
• Absence of performance management at the individual, program, and systems levels
• Need for an investment in social-emotional learning, mindset, and wellness of staff and students

The turnaround plan outlines strategies and policy proposals for addressing those problems.The complete draft of the Salem High School turnaround plan is available on the school system's Website.