This document describes a student-led cohort model used at a charter school in Texas. It discusses how the school uses blended and flipped learning through student cohorts to provide a flexible schedule. Students take on leadership roles within their grade-level cohorts to drive their own learning. While this model provides benefits like personalized learning, it also faces challenges with student and parent accountability and transparency. Overall, the school aims to prepare students for independent learning in college through this cohort system.

1. STUDENT LED
COHORTS
Within a College Prep, Hybrid Learning Model
Texas Charter School Convention
Monday, December 3, 12

2. PRESENTERS
Steve Werlein, Head of School
steve.werlein@orendaeducation.org
Wayne Boggs, Head of Secondary Programs
wayne.boggs@orendaeduation.org
Terise Boggs, High School Team Leader
terise.boggs@orendaeducation.org
Monday, December 3, 12

3. STUDENT PRESENTERS
Sarah Tobin, Cohort Leader for 9th Grade
Thomas McDaniels, Cohort Leader for 10th Grade
Riki Birkman, Cohort Leader for 12th Grade
Monday, December 3, 12

4. • Compe&&ve
Op&on
for
4a/5a
schools
in
Williamson
county.
• Small
school/community
based
feel.
“Start
here-­‐Finish
here”
• 38
students
in
2009.
(grades
9
and
10)
(Exemplary)
• 200
students
in
2010.
(grades
6-­‐11)
(Recognized)
• 600
students
in
2011.
(grades
K-­‐12)
– First
Gradua&ng
Class
in
June
2012:
100%
Gateway college
acceptance.
• 840
students
presently
enrolled.
• Growth=1000
total
campus
enrollment.
College • Full
complement
of
UIL
academic,
fine
arts,
and
athle&c
op&ons.
(This
is
costly-­‐but
a
priority)
(1a/2a)
Prep
• 40
acre
“green”
campus
outside
of
Georgetown.
Monday, December 3, 12

5. Unique Challenges
• New,
growing
school=encultura3on
challenges.
• Defining
our
mission:
Ci3zen.
Scholar.
Athlete
• Number
and
quality
of
courses
offered.
• Extra-­‐curricular
par3cipa3on
and
athle3cs
• Rigorous
curriculum
offered
in
a
relevant
manner…..?
Monday, December 3, 12

6. Taking
a
Blended
Approach
What is blended
learning?
(short version): Learning programs in
which students learn in a SUPERVISED
location away from home, at least some
of the time. Students also learn through
online delivery with control over time,
place, path, and/or pace.
(innosightinstitute.org)
Obvious
benefits:
remedia&on,
enrichment,
re-­‐teaching,
saving
&me,
and
sharing
exper&se.
Monday, December 3, 12

7. Taking
a
Blended
Approach
What is blended
learning?
(short version): Learning programs in
which students learn in a SUPERVISED
location away from home, at least some
of the time. Students also learn through
online delivery with control over time,
place, path, and/or pace.
(innosightinstitute.org)
Obvious
benefits:
remedia&on,
enrichment,
re-­‐teaching,
saving
&me,
and
sharing
exper&se.
Monday, December 3, 12

8. What
is
“Flipped”
Instruc&on?
• Quite
literally—a
challenging
concepts
for
students
and
adults
alike!
• The
teacher
doesn’t
teach.
• When
do
I
get
to
lecture?
Monday, December 3, 12

9. What is a cohort?
NOT merely a small group!
• A group of grade specific students.. Students spend time in “cohorts” in
taking the same courses, a flexible, dynamic schedule that
allows THEM to drive their learning.
who support each other,
work collaboratively,
establish routines, outcomes, and accountability protocols within
an established framework.
ALSO:
Student driven
Heterogeneously mixed (ability)
Designed to replicate group processes that students will
encounter in post-secondary life.
Often mirrors extra-curricular participation. This adds a level
of ownership and accountability.
Monday, December 3, 12

10. Cohorts-a way to maximize the blended
approach.
Assumptions:
1. As an open enrollment school, students can enroll at any time, and from anywhere.
(when space is available).
2. Students begin taking high school courses in 8th grade (Spanish 1 and Algebra 1).
3. Students take AP Human Geography as freshmen.
4. The number of AP courses increases as students move up.
5. We have no “core” or “traditional” track.
6.We make a learning management system (LMS) our primary platform for
everything.
7. We are a BYOD campus with 100 mbs access. This is not a requirement-but realistic
expectations must be made.
8. We have a board that supports risk-taking and will support instructionally sound
programs.
9. We purposefully and openly recruit teachers who buy into and will likely thrive using this
model. (blended and cohort)
10.Not all students will be successful in this model, as it requires a high level of autonomy,
ownership, and self-direction (college).
Monday, December 3, 12

11. The Good, the Bad, and the not
so bad...
Feedback that we get
• Parents: once used to the LMS, love the
transparency.
•This model was partially • Students: once used to the LMS, often
driven by student HATE the transparency.
feedback:
• Accountability: can be a cause of
•
Wasted class time (bad) frustration for students and parents
•
Group work (good) (“My son did all of the work.”)
•
Accountability (not so • “Your teachers aren’t teaching and the
bad) kids are always in groups.” (sound
•
-TRANSPARENCY! (bad) familiar?)
• This is too hard! We didn’t have this
much work at my last school
• This helps me stay organized!
• Coaches=cohort adds a level of
accountability to teams!
Monday, December 3, 12

12. Things to Bear in Mind
• This model requires teachers to re-think their approach (often).
• Be prepared for a bumpy transition.
• Make sure that students, staff, and administration completely
understand what your cohort model is and is not, and that you are not
defined as being “just an online school.”
• Don’t forget your electives! Elective and fine arts teachers can benefit
greatly from a flexible model such as this one.
• Build your cohort system in a way that fits your school, your mission, and
your reality.
AFFIRMATION from a former student, now at a 4 year college,
“college is just like what you guys said it would be last year!”
Monday, December 3, 12