Advisory Council Summary
"We Open Tomorrow's Eyes"

Below is a summary of the work done by all Area Advisory Councils from all five high school feeder clusters during their first meeting of the 2004-05 school year. The topics of discussion are listed and members areas of emphasis are reported. The work was done by Paul Hultburg and Terry Masielo of Integrity Communications for the Iredell-Statesville Schools.

Fall, 2004

Preparation of Students for the Workforce
8-emphasis, 58 points Promote dual enrollment with MCC
8-emphasis, 4 points, Create a school for students interested in vocational and technical related careers
4-emphasis, 34 points, Vocational School? Get credit by working in the field kids are studying.  Wouldn’t this help drop-out rate?
1-emphasis, 38 points, explore early college model
64 points, explore the academy concept, consolidate and upgrade the CTE curriculum, and visit “best practice” sites
43 points, establish a system of CTE advisory committees made up of business and community leaders (should be partially former students of program and should not be a group that sits back and advises from the sidelines – needs to be very hands on with kids)
23 points, 8th graders visit HS vocational programs for a day
22 points, system-wide vocational courses at middle school level
19 points, survey all graduates 3 years after graduation (3 yrs is way too late; recruit and survey early; monitor during)
17 points, guidance in middle schools
16 points, grab kids early, you know who or who is not an academician.  Lead/direct towards hands on work
15 points, career fair – Jr’s and Sr’s maybe via community college
10 points, 5th grade students need to see a 4 year college; possible field trip?
10 points, the “community” around the students must have high expectations for the kids
8 points, return career development coordinators (CDC’s) to middle schools
6 points, exposure to other crafts is a great idea
4 points the low numbers in CTE may be due to transportation problems.
3 points, agreement with students commuting to a Vo Ed center from all county schools; expand beyond Auto Tech

Preparation of Students for State Tests
9-emphasis, 110 points, Provide adequate classroom space for teachers (renovations/construction)
4-emphasis, 120 points, Reduce class sizes in EOC courses
4-emphasis, 62 points, Align elem, middle & HS curricula
3-emphasis, 40 points, additional funding for more teachers to reduce EOC class sizes
2 emphasis, 55 points, Remove students with constant discipline problems from the Send progress reports to parents every three weeks.  Revisit the current Mulberry idea.
2-emphasis, 13 points, study current inclusion model & improve. (Talk to those that do it.)
1 emphasis, 42 point, Provide remediation classes prior to EOC testing
1 emphasis, 28 points, is our exam instructional day adequate?
41 points, require passing grade on course and end-of-course test, to get
Credit.  (There needs to be a safety net.)
39 points, Offer traditional and block scheduling
32 points, enforce promotion gateways
31 points, Implement quarterly assessment tests followed by intensive remediation
29 points, send progress reports to parents every three weeks
26 points, establish common planning times for EC and nonEC teachers
24 points, alternative learning separate from schools
20 points, Preparation classes for 10th grade comprehensive test
18 points, Re-instate the extended day program
18 points, promote Donors Choice program
15 points, Provide funding to pay teachers for curriculum enhancement staff development during the summer
13 points, Limit number of EC students in each class (not enough EC teachers)
12 points, Implement exam exemptions for all grade levels
11 points, visit/study alternative educational designs
8 points, utilize SAP, clubs, sport etc., to enhance student achievement
8 points, alternative school (full-time) renovate existing school properties
5 points, consider A/B scheduling
3 points, attendance incentives/policy
3 points, implement read 180 program in HS’s.  (Needs to be site based.)
2 points, consider other incentives similar to exam exemptions
2 points, follow SCOS
2 points, look for needs and identify: create a school for students interested in vocational and technical related career
 (wayside) to house school for discipline problems
Provide combination EC classes: comment on this is, Poor Concept
Progress reports:
Radio stations, newspapers, publish dates for progress reports
Offer incentives to students to return signed progress reports
Email/mail reports to parents of students who don’t return signed reports
Parent/student corps to tutor students/classes

Preparation of Students for College
14-emphasis, 144 points More guidance personnel in high schools
9-emphasis, 7 points, split block so Arts classes could be shorter and AP classes longer
4-emphasis, 50 points, Identify and use creative scheduling models to increase the number of students in AP courses.  (Not enough AP courses.)
4-emphasis, 21 points, encourage parents to be involved every year in career planning discussions
4-emphasis, 29 points, develop programs that inspire Elementary school kids to think about college, like 1) partnerships with universities that provide on-campus experiences and 2) college mentors
3 emphasis, 33 points, Hold yearly transitional meetings at elementary, middle and high schools to keep stakeholders abreast of the latest college/university information
3-emphasis, 35 points, Implement SAT improvement strategies:
1 point Determine which review system is most effective
Encourage students to enroll in SAT/ACT and problem solving course
8 points Provide SAT prep materials for Algebra II and English II/III teachers
5 points Implement district wide review sessions during regular school day
12 points Encourage teachers to include Latin root words in all English Classes
2 emphasis, 9 points, scheduling for AB:
Allow for continuity for foreign language
12 points Look at AB to allow for more arts
Provides enough class time
More difficult for some teachers
45 minute class period is good because allows more, but shows same results in testing as 90 minute classes
2-emphasis, 32 points, Educate the counselors; we have to help students more Keep the same counselor all 4 years (they know you)
2-emphasis, 23 points, Encourage students to enroll in the 20632sSAT/ACT and Problem Solving Parent-student counselor meeting to develop plan for student (did it once before)
2-emphasis, 23 points, same course choices at all schools
1 emphasis, 29 points, Foreign language earlier, middle school at least
1 emphasis, 9 points, Prep exams or sitting for exams helps with fear; SAT/ACT course, is it available and is it allowed a place in the schedule?
1-emphasis, 61 points, start more guidance in eighth grade for thinking what to take in high school (start at beginning of the year) properly trained guidance counselors in HS curriculum/choices
1 emphasis, 32 points, make honors courses more rigorous
1-emphasis, 8 points, virtual high school – get info out to all parents
72 points, students may design schedule to challenge them more (2 maths as a freshman) to promote more college level courses while still in HS
35 points, scholarship information for all students; seek more opportunities
31 points, financial planning tips for parents well before senior year
26 points, Develop brochure and posters to promote a better understanding of college entrance requirements
26 points, guidance counselors to push students toward college
24 points, add writing component to prepare for new SAT
24 points, eliminate “can’t find teachers” excuse for not offering courses (higher level)
24 points, reinstate college visitation days
22 points, college information room
22 points, most kids don’t know what they want to do; need parent involvement
14 points, schedule balanced (one science course/semester rather than both in same semester)
13 points, need more information earlier, by 8th grade
12 points, use MCC as resource, look at CVCC model and Alex. Central
11 points, need to talk at alternative funding sources to get kids to college
11 points, scholarship/college application essay writing workshops at no charge
10 points, More info to parents re: SAT and when they should take it
10 points, Kids need to know that Latin helps with SAT
9 points, extracurricular (newspaper/journalism) activities now have to be taken as courses rather than after school, prevents more rigorous challenges
8 points, early college for more students
7 points, raise teacher expectations for making good grades; make courses tougher
7 points, students/parents don’t know
6 points, Name of counselor to be put on child’s schedule (so they know who to go to)
6 points, Teachers need to be cooperative/encouraging with SAT prep classes
6 points, website for scholarships/shadowing/mentoring
6 points, use newsletters, auto-call systems and email for information
6 points, problems with PA system make it hard to hear announcements (West)
2 points, Colleges involved in College Fair at each school
Block can be too long in some courses
Clear up misconceptions around key issues like funding, personal information, etc.