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Studio school sees students progress |
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Wednesday, 03 June 2009 |
By SHEA STASKOWSKI
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In their first semester of implementation, the Studio School programs at East and West Oktibbeha County high schools have seen impressive success, program administrators Kay Brocato and Chris Monson say.
Brocato, an associate professor of leadership and foundation at Mississippi State University, and Monson, an associate professor of architecture at MSU, addressed the Oktibbeha County School Board during its Monday night meeting.
The school-within-a-school concept began in January with 15 seventh and eighth graders who were at high risk for dropping out. Monson reported to the board that five of the 15 students were moved from high risk list to little or no risk of dropping out and that the program as a whole received positive feedback from all involved.
The program is designed for students who haven’t been as successful in a traditional school setting as district administrators would like. Roughly 50 percent of the students’ day is spent in a studio-type environment that incorporates all subject areas into a tangible project the students create.
Brocato showed the board a video of two student interviews where the students were asked questions about the program.
Both students had been held back for several years and were frustrated with traditional school, and both students had extensive history of truancy and failing grades.
During the interviews, both students reported that Studio School had helped changed their attitudes toward school and both reported that they had not skipped school a single day this semester because they were genuinely interested in what was happening in the classroom.
The program was initially funded by the OCSD, but is sustained from federal grants. However, Monson and Brocato applied for two separate grants, the largest being the National Science Foundation Grant, during the semester and were unable to have their proposals accepted by the grantors.
Brocato and Munson asked the board for funding to continue the program in the fall when classes resume for the 2009-2010 school year.
“We’ve worked extremely hard to get the grant money to continue this program,” Monson told the county school board. He added that the Studio School facilitators would continue to apply for the grants and he felt confident of their chance for approval in the coming months.
Brocato and Monson projected the sustainability cost of the program to be $14,000. The board did not take action on the request.
In other business Monday night, the county school board:
• Voted to increase school days for secretaries from the usual 10-month program to 11-month program as to ensure clerical duties would be taken care of during the summer months.
• Called a special meeting for June 22 at 6 p.m. in hopes that state legislators would agree on a school budget for the upcoming school year. As of Monday night, state legislators still had not agreed upon a budget, therefore Supt. James Covington did not feel comfortable discussing a budget until actual figures were known.
• Approved ICS partnership agreement between East and West Elementary.
• Approved the federal mandate to increase minimum wage from $6.55 to $7.25 by July 24.
• Approved all state-mandated school policies.
• Approved the consent agenda.
• Approved all financial items.
The next school board meeting is scheduled as special and will be held on June 22 at 6 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be help on July 13 at 6 p.m. in the central office.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 June 2009 )
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