PACE Minutes – December 2007

Kathy Jackson Presiding

• Updates: CCS Task Force on School Choice have completed their recommendations; sent to Administration;
• Eastmoor Academy, beginning 9^th grade Engineering program
• PACE Meetings:
  • January – No meeting
  • February 11^th – Gifted Staff and Dr. Mary Rizza
  • March 3 – Summer Opportunities Fair – Franklin Park Conservatory; beginning at 3:30 p.m. – set-up around 12 noon. Huntington Bank is a Sponsor, along with North Gate Staff (Step Into College);
  • April – Election of Officers and Assessment and Testing;
  • Francie Nolan is working on the following: Spelling Bee (Former Columbus Public School Board Member – Dave Dobos is working with Francie) – March in Washington, DC, Robotics at Dominion Middle School State Competition and the January Public Hearing related to Gifted and Talented.

Dr. Gene Harris shared the following:

• Levy in November 2008
• Graduation Rates; preparation for College and Ohio Core (2014 Class must pass CORE curriculum in Math and Science).
• When she began in 2001, HS Graduation rate was 55%, now 72.6% in 2006. Expect 90% for Class of 2012.
• Project Mentor: Nationwide and Big Brother/Big Sister – mentor 8^th graders; work with select students to stay in school. All mentors get a background check, training; to date 1200 Mentors.
• Academic Partnerships: Devry Academy – 22 students to graduate from 16 different HS; 2^nd year of the program – Associate Degree in Network System Administration and HS Diploma.
• OSU Partnership – Teacher’s Academy; Students attend their home school and OSU campus.
• Kenyon College – similar program as OSU. 250 students participated.
• PSCO – Africentric HS/Columbus State Community College Partnership.
• Reading Prg: LACES along with Hard Court Storytime reading material; support for Pre-K, ESL, Special needs and Gifted Students.
• Middle School is biggest area of “challenge” (locally and nationally); CCS focusing on fewer transitions and staying in the same environment for a longer period of time.
• CCS has more success in Elementary and HS levels; looking at structure; professional development with MS Teachers regarding Reading, Math and climate issues.
• Leadership Development for Principals;
• Gifted and Talented – CCS committed to the program; Ohio Association of Gifted Children looks at Columbus as a model; using Cluster Program for Elementary and MS; HS – Advance Placement program.
• Will begin Pre-K – 12 (College Prep) in the Linden community;
• District paid for AP exams for 1300 students ($80 each); 100 students for Advance Placement courses.
• 5000 students took PSAT

Q & A followed

Questions were asked concerning ECLIPSE at Ecole – Kenwood (Based on Student/Teacher Ratio), weather delays (CCS does not have delays in order not to inconvenience the parents), school uniforms (Charity Newies will help economically disadvantaged students if uniforms are enforced).

Meeting Adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle Sutton, Secretary