DIXFIELD — Dirigo
High School Principal
Michael Poulin is studying methods to better communicate student
progress to parents and guardians as part of the current school
reaccreditation process.

“They want a specific plan,” Poulin
said, referring to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation team, which has recommended handling teacher-parent conferences differently.

The school held its first round of conferences from 5 to 8 p.m.
Thursday and has scheduled the second round for Monday, Nov. 16, at the same time. Each session has 12 slots of 15 minutes each, which means 24 conferences in all are available, Poulin said. The school has about 380 students, and each teacher carries a student load of about 90. 

Poulin said the school sends out periodic
report cards, as well as interim grade reports, but he wants more
parental contact. He said other options, such as
offering student-led teacher-parent conferences, or changing the
hours of conferences were scenarios to consider.

Along with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges team is the school's accreditation team, which involves all 25 teachers in various ways, Poulin said. The accreditation process calls for the school to meet NEASC standards
in its mission and learning expectations, curriculum, instruction,
assessment, leadership and organization, school resources for learning,
and community resources for learning.

The school is accredited every 10 years. It began its current evaluation in 2006. The visit by the NEASC team
that year resulted in a number of commendations for the high school. Among
them were the school's exemplary range of learning opportunities, its
well-established adviser-advisee program, the emphasis placed on
professional development and peer collaboration, the recognition of
student successes and the supportive school climate.

“I like other educators coming in and
seeing what we do,” Poulin said.

eadams@sunjournal.com