May 24, 2012
GREENUP, Ky. (WSAZ) -- More than a decade after President Bush signed, sealed and delivered his 'No Child Left Behind" law, President Obama has granted an opt-out request by Kentucky and nine other states.
The highest concentration of the lowest performing schools in Jefferson County.
In Eastern Kentucky, Greenup County High School is considered a low performing school with measurable reading and math scores.
The district's superintendent said this news will help the state focus more on correcting the problem rather than labeling it.
"It's difficult being judged by two sets of standards" Steve Hall said. "This will allow us to just focus on what needs to be done
to educate our students to graduate onto college or a successful trade."
Since being labeled a low performing school, in 2010, Greenup County High School has qualified for more than $2.5 million dollars in grant money over the next three years to boost academic achievement.
That money has been used for a variety of projects.
Assistant Principal Jason Smith documents some of those here:
School Improvement Grant:
1. Read Right Program- intense reading program used to bring students back to grade level in reading.
2. EKU Math Initiative- Dr. Robert Thomas from Eastern Ky. University has brought his Math improvement program to GCHS.
3. Morehead State University Cohort: allows funds from the grant to be used for teachers to work towards advanced degrees and certifications to better serve students.
4. 2 Full-time State Department of Education employees in our building to help improve instructional practices.
5. Coordinator of Student Advocacy and Mentorship: Full-time student advocate and also supervises our mentorship program that pairs a student with a retired teacher or community member.
6. Coordinator of Student Cultural Programs: coordinating the creation of a LIFE-LONG LEARNING LAB to help students learn coping strategies to help them deal with behaviors that are hindering instruction.
7. We now have 43 functioning student clubs.
8. 2 brand new Math computer labs.
9. Food Pantry for students.
10. Professional Development opportunities for staff: Dr. Anthony Muhammad will be here February 20th to train our staff. Dr. Muhammad is a nationally renown speaker, author, and expert on School Culture.
Superintendent Hall said the new mission statement is simple.
"It will help illustrate whether the strategies we've implemented, this year have been effective." Hall said. "If there are some that aren't effective, then we'll stop, refocus and move in another direction."
Critics of No Child Left Behind, call the 2014 deadlines unrealistic for accountability in reading and math for all students.
At least 29 other states are considering waiver requests.
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
