Episode 384

full
Published on:

27th Mar 2025

Four-day School Week, No Grades K-8 and Over 95% Graduation Rates: This Superintendent Shows How

Summary: Join C.T. and guest Dr. Derek Fialkiewicz Superintendent of Corbett School District in Oregon, as they explore the innovative approaches that have made Corbett a model for educational excellence. This insightful conversation delves into the district's use of multi-age classrooms, a four-day school week, and a no-grades policy for K-8 students.

Key Takeaways:

Multi-Age Classrooms: Corbett uses multi-age classrooms, where students of different ages learn together. This fosters mentorship and helps teachers build strong relationships over multiple years.

Four-Day School Week: Implemented 20 years ago to save resources, the four-day week allows for longer school days and Fridays for catch-up sessions, contributing to a graduation rate consistently above 95%.

No Grades Policy (K-8): The district uses narrative-based assessments instead of traditional grades, focusing on feedback rather than numerical scores.

Project-Based Learning: Teachers use project-based learning units that infuse standards into cross-curricular topics, ensuring students learn differently each year.

Teacher Support: Many teachers are homegrown, and new hires are supported by a strong mentorship system, helping them adapt to Corbett's unique educational model.


Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:04 Background on Corbett School District: Location and Unique Features

4:24 Multi-Age Classrooms: Philosophy and Implementation

9:09 Benefits of Multi-Age Classrooms: Academic Performance and Student Mentorship

14:58 Project-Based Learning and Cross-Curricular Topics

20:43 Teacher Support and Onboarding in a Unique Educational Environment

25:00 The Four-Day School Week: History, Benefits, and Community Impact

30:00 No Grades Policy in K-8: Narrative-Based Assessments and Feedback

35:00 Implementing a No Grades System: Challenges and Successes


Connect with CT: linkedin.com/in/cheetung

Connect with Dr. Derek Fialkiewicz: linkedin.com/in/derek-fialkiewicz

Music Credit: Shake it Up - Fesliyanstudios.com - David Renda



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