Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/755919
SHATTERING MYTHS Coronado High continuation school, West Covina R ecently, students from Coronado High School took a field trip to the beach to conduct scientific exper- iments. They were so well behaved that a passerby asked if they were students from a posh private school nearby. ere was disbelief upon learning they were from a continuation school. Shattering stereotypes is something that comes naturally to Teachers Association of West Covina members who work at the site. But it wasn't always true, and they credit former Principal Armando Marentes with initiating huge changes that led to Model Continuation School awards in 2011 and 2013 from the California Department of Education. At 65 percent, the graduation rate is high for a continuation campus. " We had to understand that the tradi- tional way of school didn't work for these kids before they came here, and it wasn't going to work now," says Marentes. " We had to change the culture and build the school around the kids, rather than mak- ing the kids mold to the school." Marentes retired last summer and was replaced by Principal Veronica Pendleton, who inspires students as a former contin- uation student herself. e school's 50 rules were streamlined down to eight. Positive reinforcement took precedence over punishment. Staff decided to create a culture that emphasized con- sistency, fairness and clear expectations. e "bad kids" were treated like other kids — who went on field trips, performed com- munity service and planted a garden. Staff even took them on camping trips. Te a c h e r s s e t a g o a l o f b u i l d i n g stronger personal connections to help students succeed. "Personal connections are everything — it's our currency," says English teacher Tunisia Fountain. "We show students we care about them and are vested in their success. It keeps them coming to school and out of trouble." At Coronado High School, clockwise from above: Monica Cruz (shown with Daniel and Adrian Ortiz) teaches leadership; Rebeca Peters teaches independent studies; Luis Barriga teaches art and also coaches sports. 38 cta.org Feature