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Public Education Forum Board of Directors and Board of Governors
Public Education Forum Website
Mississippi Scholars Website
NOTE: You are receiving this Public Education Forum newsletter because you are a member of PEF or a member of the Mississippi Economic Council, have attended one of the many PEF or MEC meetings on education issues, or have been in contact with MEC.
What's going on in your community with Mississippi Scholars?
Natchez High School – Sixty-one Natchez High School students were honored as Mississippi Scholars in May up from 10 in 2007. The number is the highest ever. This year marked the districts 3rd year of participation in the program. Seven presenters made 35 presentations to 923 students.
Corinth School District and Alcorn County - The Alliance Community Development Council and CARE Community Foundation partnered in 2005 to sponsor and promote Mississippi Scholars locally bringing both Corinth and Alcorn County school districts to join the initiative. This year, 135 seniors graduated as Mississippi Scholars compared to 20 in 2006. All students graduating as Mississippi Scholars received T-shirts. Again this year CARE Community Foundation awarded 5 Mississippi Scholars with $500 scholarships. Additionally, in random drawings students received laptop computers, iPods, and gift certificates. More than 50 business presenters made over 1,400 presentations to middle and high school students in Corinth and Alcorn County school districts.
Lee County and Nettleton School districts made 23 presentations to 545 eighth graders in Plantersville, Guntown, Shannon, Mooreville and Nettletown. More than 140 classroom presentations have been made since 2005, touching over 2,700 eighth grade students. Lincoln County - The Scholars program generated participation by the state’s institutions of higher learning. Brookhaven- Lincoln County joined the program in 2005-2006 school year and had 29 Scholars, approximately 30 volunteers and the community sponsored 8 - $500 scholarships. This year, the program surged and recognized 202 seniors from around Lincoln County – about 40 percent of all Lincoln County seniors. Participation by the state’s institution of higher learning helped boost the total number of available scholarships to around 60 and increased the amount of scholarships awarded to more than $90,000.
North Forrest – North Forrest joined Scholars during the 2008-09 school year. Three presenters made 3 presentations to 58 eighth graders. Petal – Four presenters made 4 presentations to 350 eighth graders. Louisville – Twelve presenters made 9 presentations to over 400 students from Winston Academy, Eiland Middle, Nanih Waya, Noxpater and Grace Christian in Winston County. Baldwyn – Eleven presentations to 265 students. Seven seniors were recognized as Scholars. Simpson County – Over 100 seniors were recognized as Scholars from Magee, Mendenhall and Simpson Academy combined in May at the family life center of the First Baptist Church in Magee. All of the counselors are relatively new in the position. Magee - Mr. Nash; Mendenhall - Mrs. Proctor; Simpson Academy - Mrs. Aultman. The community provided scholarships.
Upcoming involvement with Mississippi Scholars Beginning in January, Leadership Mississippi and Mississippi Scholars will have a conference call to open up the door to more communiations between the two programs, which could result in more collaboration. More details to come on these important programs working together.
DID
YOU
KNOW?
More than 11,000 medallions were awarded to Mississippi Scholars graduates since 2003.
Results
Since its inception in 2003, the Mississippi Scholars program has recognized 295 graduating seniors with the Mississippi Scholars distinction from the two pilot school districts in 2009, compared to 24 in 2004. It has also: • Recruited 68 districts, 118 high schools and over 80 middle schools to join the Mississippi Scholars network. • Trained more than 1,500 volunteers to conduct SSI presentations. • Recognized over 11,000 graduating seniors with medallions or cords for completing the Mississippi
Scholars Course of Study since inception. • Delivered presentations and SSI materials to more than 25,000 students.
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Testimonial “Last summer I received a call from a parent of an incoming senior. She had decided at the last minute that she would like her daughter to be recognized as a MS Scholar. She was very adamant about fitting in the World Geography and additional language into her daughter’s schedule. She inquired about MS Virtual School or summer school to meet this requirement. Needless to say, this student was recognized as one of our 100 MS Scholars during our commencement. We are very proud of our students and their accomplishments. We plan to match or exceed this number next year.” -Dr. Teresa Poole, Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum,
Hattiesburg School District
This year, Hattiesburg High had 225 graduates and 100 were recognized as Mississippi Scholars, the largest number ever.
Mississippi
Scholars
Mission To encourage and motivate all high school students to complete a defined, rigorous academic course of study that prepares them for successful transition to college or university coursework or vocational and technical training necessary to enter today's competitive job market.
Public Education Forum
of Mississippi
Vickie Powell
P.O. Box 23276
Jackson, MS 39225
Phone: 601-353-5488
Fax: 601-353-0247
www.publiceducationforum.org
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| | Letter from the Chair
Raising the Bar
Dear ,
Mississippi Scholars - The Public Education Forum of Mississippi voted unanimously to make changes to the curriculum for Mississippi Scholars. These changes include requiring seniors to complete one Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) course to be recognized as a Mississippi Scholars beginning with the class of 2012, and two IB or AP courses beginning with the class of 2013. Additionally, students cannot have any in-school or out-of-school suspensions. These changes are designed to increase students' chances for success in this highly competitive, global economy and to challenge them to become more responsible citizens. Click here to see the new changes to the course of study requirements.
National research indicates that many schools are offering Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) classes and dual enrollment opportunities as strategies to promote higher-level courses including math and science. These offerings assist students in their journeys toward successful college or workforce experiences. Data also demonstrates that students at all levels of achievement, even those who began with poor test scores and low expectations, benefit from taking rigorous courses. In addition, they are less likely to drop out of school and more likely to perform better in vocational and technical courses. In 2000, only 29 percent of U.S. students completed a course of study that would prepare them for college or job training while more than half of all high school graduates intended to enroll in higher education. By raising the bar and integrating these changes into the curriculum for our Mississippi Scholars program, students will surely benefit for years to come. Their academic success enhances all the positive indicators for quality of life and reduces those that are detrimental to our society. While we are extremely excited about our success thus far with 68 school districts and 118 high schools participating in the program, we are convinced that this program should be statewide in all 152 districts. To compete for jobs in the 21st century global marketplace, Mississippi's citizens will need advanced skills training beyond high school. Sadly, Mississippi ranks 47th in the nation for people holding a bachelor's degree or higher. This fact affects all citizens of our state by limiting our potential for recruiting those businesses and industries that seek strong minds as their employee force.
We all must continue our efforts to prepare every student in Mississippi for success. The Public Education Forum through Mississippi Scholars is striving to raise the bar to ensure that all Mississippians receive a superior education that empowers them to be productive, responsible and self-sustaining citizens. We invite you to join us at our first ever "Salute to Mississippi Scholars" on Thursday, April 15th at the Jackson Convention Center. Your sponsorship will show tremendous support for Mississippi Scholars in your community. We are asking you to host a school(s) in your community so that their representatives can attend this exciting event. Your sponsorship will support the attendance of school administrators, Mississippi Scholars coordinators, high school counselors and students as well as representatives from your company. It also will provide critical support as we move forward on our expansion plans by organizing this program and making it available to additional communities. Please call (601) 969-4418 or visit our website site at www.publiceducationforum.org to sponsor or register for the event.
Becky Montgomery
Chair, Public Education Forum
DATE CHANGE
Salute to Scholars event
rescheduled for April 15
We are changing the date of our Salute to Scholars event, which will honor teachers, students and business leaders. It has been rescheduled to April 15, 2010. Among the many reasons for this change is that we want to pull all organizations together so we will have this meeting in conjunction with MEC's Annual Meeting and focus all our attention at one place. It is our goal to create greater synergy and start a broader conversation on education by enlisting our multiple stakeholders.
Seniors awarded
for Scholars participation
For the fourth consecutive year, Mooreville, Shannon and Saltillo high schools participated in the Mississippi Scholars program with a combined total of 70 seniors graduating as Scholars. Students received gift cards in recognition of their achievement.
Mooreville High School
Saltillo High School
Shannon High School
Jasper County Supervisors
make college a
reality for graduates
Jasper County seniors have a lot to be thankful for because of a recent investment made by the Board of Supervisors. The board announced a new tuition guarantee program in partnership with Jones County Junior College that will allow every graduating senior in Jasper County the opportunity to attend JCJC tuition-free. “We (Jasper County supervisors) were all for this,” said Jasper County District 5 supervisor, Curtis Gray. “We were talking about our budget, and I said we have to remember our youth. They will put back into the community by working. With this tuition guarantee they will have a better opportunity to get an education than I.” The announcement was made at a Bay Springs Rotary Club meeting at City Hall in Bay Springs. Dozens attended the gathering, including county officials and JCJC representatives. “It is an impressive statement coming from the supervisors that they recognize that college education is the best medicine for an ailing economy. They have helped to create a pathway for citizens to be successful,” said Dr. Jesse Smith, JCJC President. Additional details on the Jasper County tuition guarantee program will be made available this fall on the college’s website, www.jcjc.edu. - Information provided by the
JCJC Community Relations Department
NEW ADDITION
3 school districts
join Scholars Network
The Tupelo School District, North Pike School District, McComb School District as well as Parklane Academy recently signed up to participate in Mississippi Scholars. These additions bring the total number of participating school districts to 68.
Presentations by business people will be made to the students in the coming weeks to emphasize the importance of a more rigorous course of study.
Basic Steps to Implementing the Mississippi Scholars program:
- Adopt the program.
- Let Vickie Powell at the Public Education Forum know that your Chamber or other organization has decided to participate.
- Call (601) 969-4418 or email: vpowell@msmec.com
• Meet with school personnel
• Schedule 8th grade classroom presentations
• Recruit and train business presenters
• Assign classes and times
• Make 8th grade classroom presentations
• Recognize seniors
• Provide incentives
Bay Springs Rotary supports
Mississippi Scholars
Bay Springs Rotary Club Member Jamie Holder addresses
the October 4th club meeting. Holder explained the requirements
of the Mississippi Scholars initiative. After the presentation,
the Bay Springs Rotary Club voted to support the initiative
as part of its program of work.
Recently, the Bay Springs Rotary Club held a meeting and voted to support the Mississippi Scholars Initiative in Jasper County, which will include Bay Springs High School, Stringer Attendance Center, Heidelberg High School, Sylva Bay Academy, and Heidelberg Academy.
Bay Springs Rotary Club member Jamie Holder, President and COO of Hol-Mac and member of the 2009 Leadership Mississippi class addressed the Rotary earlier this month and explained the requirements of the Initiative. After the presentation, the Bay Springs Rotary Club voted to support the Initiative as part of its program of work. Jasper County adopted Mississippi Scholars during the 2006-2007 school year.
Mississippi Scholars utilizes business leaders to motivate students to complete a more challenging course of study in high school to develop a solid foundation for their futures. It is also designed to give students more opportunities as they pursue post-secondary education or careers.
As a result, over 80 students have graduated with the Mississippi Scholars designation from Bay Springs, Heidelberg and Stringer. Lela Bryan, Jasper County Learning Center and Lorann Paige Curry, Magnolia State Bank coordinated these efforts.
Changes are underway
with new requirements
for 2010 seniors
PEF has adopted changes to the Mississippi Scholars Course of Study for Seniors of School Year 2010 and Later.
Click here to see the new changes
to the course of study requirements
Mississippi Scholars’ strategic plan to expand:
- Go Statewide. In addition to keeping the current program going in the state’s 68 school districts, the program would expand to include the districts not yet served by this program. This will directly affect the high school graduation rate in the state and make Mississippi more competitive for economic development projects.
- Increase Access to Vocational Training. Exposure to career and technical education during high school is vital to preparing the 21st century workforce. Mississippi Scholars realizes that and has moved to include these credits in its program. Promoting this and making local connections between schools and businesses will take work and cannot be done without your help.
- Dual Credit and On-line Learning. Today’s high school student is learning in ways not dreamed of just a generation ago. Qualifying Mississippi Scholars can take college level courses that count towards high school graduation, thereby getting a head start on a college degree or advanced skills training and leading to higher graduation rates. This can be done on-line or in the traditional classroom setting.
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