chieveStark Educationment Partnership, Inc. Raising student achievement in Stark County, ! A Winter-Spring 2004 S tark County’s P-16 Compact Continues to Grow

Why Do They Leave? by Dr. Joseph Rochford, Vice President, Subcommittee on Labor, Health of two major state systems), sees Stark Education Partnership and Human Services, Education, the Stark County P-16 Compact and Related Agencies. Regula as the finest regional approach he Ohio has too few college calls the Stark County P-16 has yet to encounter. 3 graduates, experts say, and too Compact “historic” and believes few jobs for those who do finish that its model should be studied at Recognizing the ambitious nature college. As a result, despite fewer the national level. of Ohioʼs Third Frontier Initiative, GEAR-UP Program Shines than average college grads, Ohio Portch states that “any state intent is an exporter of educated young Equally impressed was Dr. Stephen on building a knowledge economy people to other states with better R. Portch, Chancellor Emeritus has to address its key knowledge job opportunities. This is no of the Board of Regents of the component: the education of its 4 environment in which to expect that University System of Georgia and residents.” He feels that, “this has Ohioʼs economy will turn around Senior Fellow of the Education to be a P-16 approach because, and become robust. Commission of the States. Portch, truth be told, the pipeline leaks who offered the keynote address along its entire length.” Stark P-16 Update At a home level, Stark County at the conference, is author of a mothers and fathers who work to white paper called “Of Paradoxes, Portch says that “itʼs time for a send their kids to college donʼt Pioneers, and Possibilities: Ohioʼs new compact between the state, 5 want to lose them to a job that is New Covenant Imperative.” the university, and the business an airplane ride away. And neither community.” He also maintains do the education and business Portch, who was instrumental in “if there is no new compact, leaders who have joined the P-16 the establishment of Georgiaʼs then no new relationship can be What Is A PSA2? Compact in Stark County.- David P-16 system of education (one continued on page 2... Kaminski, Editor, The Canton Repository Panel members at October 23rdʼs P-16 Compact Conference: (Standing L to R) Dr. John McGrath, Ward J. Timken, Senator , Dennis The growing impact 6 Saunier, David Kaminiski, Daryl Revoldt (Sitting L to R) Dr. John Ewing Jr., of a P-16 approach in Congressman Ralph Regula, Larry Morgan, and Dr. Stephen Portch Stark County has begun State & Nat’l Presentations to have ramifications at both state and national levels as illustrated by the attendance of over 6 100 national, state, and community leaders at the Second Annual P-16 Conference held in AlignOhio Partnerships Canton on October 23rd.

Offering greetings at 7 the conference was U.S. Congressman Ralph Regula, Chairman of the House Appropriations 2

Ohioʼs Only P-16 Compact Science Foundation of a $7.5 Chamber on graduate retention ...continued from front page million Math and Science (see related article, “Why Do Partnership grant involves all 17 They Leave”) and noted that both realized. If there is no attention of Stark Countyʼs school districts chambers would be releasing a to undergraduate education and, and five institutions of higher marketing plan next month to help one can argue, to K-12 education education and is the third major keep top graduates in the area. (especially in Math and Science) grant received from that agency then there is no future workforce since 1994. Following the reaction to of any type for the economy.” Portchʼs address attendees Portch told Stark County leaders convened in workgroups to Stark County, however, is paying that it was “amazing” what consider and suggest strategies particular attention to Math and they had accomplished, to guide the second yearʼs Science. Last yearʼs award particularly since the compact operations for the Compact. from the had only been in existence National slightly over a year. He also Stark County is Ohioʼs first cautioned leaders not to forget true P-16 Compact and the first economic development. “The two such effort to surround one of go hand in hand,” he said. “You the stateʼs major urban areas. can not have P-16 without paying The Compact brings together 17 attention to the economic public school districts and six development aspect.” institutions of higher education as well as the business and Dennis Saunier, President philanthropic communities. of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, one The Stark Education of a group of community Partnership in cooperation leaders responding to with the Stark County Educational Portchʼs address agreed. Service Center established the Saunier referenced the Compact in March of 2002. Dr. Dr. Stephen Portch and Stark Education Monica Turoczy, Associate Director of the Northeast collaboration of the John McGrath, President of Stark Partnershipʼs President, Dr. Adrienne OʼNeill Ohio Council on Higher Education, and Stark Canton Regional Chamber State College of Technology is the reflect after the conference. Education Partnership Board Chair, Judge W. Don with the Greater Akron chair of the effort. Reader (retired) during a P-16 breakout session.

hen We Say P-16

wby Dr. Joseph Rochford, Vice President, conditions to enable such systems Comprehensive, Accountable • Testing at all levels of the Stark Education Partnership to flourish at either level. System: A seamless system from P-16 system pre-school through college that • Assessment and monitoring While some say P-16, others The Stark County P-16 Compact results in a lower drop-out rate of entire system outcomes by talk about P-20, K-16, or K-20 increasingly is recognized as and an increased graduation and the entire system systems. The basic idea, however, one of the finest regional college-going rate. Everyone • Common and rigorous standards is the same. An “integrated” P-16ʼs in the country (see article becomes responsible and for all students P-16 system of education, whether from above) and lessons from the accountable for success. preschool or kindergarten through Compact are being studied by Policy makers, whether at college or graduate school, ought funders and policy makers alike. Well Constructed and Articulated regional state, or national levels, to be able to produce higher The following are a few of Framework for the System: This need to understand the following: student achievement, more those lessons. needs to be longitudinal, horizontal • P-16 is ultimately about policy students going on to college or and vertical. Everyone needs to and a collaborative process, not postsecondary education, and P-16 systems need to strive to understand the part of the system about a program. better outcomes for students, create necessary and sufficient for which they are responsible. • We know how to measure educators, and communities. conditions for success. Three such Also, everyone needs to know how success in P-16 components conditions are paramount. those parts work with other parts such as early college outreach, Such a system should also be able and what collective eventual aligned curriculum, quality to dramatically impact economic Collaboration: Useful action outcomes need to be. “Silos” are teaching etc. development and the bottom lines among K-12, higher education, not allowed. • We know what our results are of whole regions or states as many business, foundations and now with separate systems. studies are now indicating. Yet, social service agencies targeted Specific global components are • The overarching question is despite the good things experts toward accomplishing different, required of P-16 systems. Among whether such components are now beginning to say about yet collectively powerful, these are: can become more efficient P-16 systems, there is little overall economic results for regions • A common “core curriculum” and successful in a agreement as to how to create the or states. for all, pre-school through college comprehensive system. 3

Who’s Leaving? Job Title Professional # That Left Manager/Supervisor/Director 645 hy Do They Leave? President/VP/CEO/Partner/Owner 247 Researcher/Consultant 143 w Retired/Homemaker/Unemployed 114 by Dr. Joseph Rochford, Vice President, doctoral and 50% of its are accompanied by Technical/Web Specialist the percentage of 77 Stark Education Partnership professional degrees. This is Student not good news for a state that those who agreed 60 Production Line Employee Graduate Retention can best be wants to transit to a knowledge- or strongly agreed 26 seen within the larger dynamics based economy. In part, itʼs with the statement. Did Not Respond 3 of a community or region which responsible for Ohio ranking 39 • To have a better Total 46 seeks to maximize the potential out of 50 states on attainment of a quality of life - 57.9% 1,361 of human capital. The first issue baccalaureate degree. • To be in a better climate - 47.4% is one of retaining the “best and • Because there were more jobs elsewhere. While some maintain the brightest” in the region. This Why graduates leave, particularly available here - 47.2% this is a question of poor degree is not to minimize or denigrate in the five county Northeast Central • Because I was recruited to work match larger issues emerge. the achievements of any college Ohio region, has never really here - 43.4% Graduate retention to some is graduate. The question is how been understood. Now a new • Because of the recreational keeping the “best and the brightest” we convince graduates who are study commissioned by the Stark activities here - 45.3% to others its about building the highly mobile due to the quality Education Partnership in association • Because the economic conditions education levels of a community. of their academic performance with the Greater Akron Chamber are better here - 44.1% While the “thorny” question as or the nature of their degree to and the Canton Regional Chamber • To have access to more cultural to whether more degrees attract remain within the region. It is a of Commerce is shedding new light. opportunities - 41.9% high skill jobs, or more high skill question of how we can compete.- The study, funded under a Graduate jobs attract more degrees, remains College Graduate Retention: An Retention Initiative grant from the While many factors seem to open, it is increasingly becoming Initiative Planning Document for Ohio Department of Development, determine why alumni leave, it is clear that a community must move Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, is the largest known polling of Ohio clear from the Kent/Stark study that simultaneously on both fronts. and Wayne Counties (2002) grads who have left the state. “employment opportunities and economic environment Yet, former Ohioans often do The cry is often heard, “our kids Over 1,300 alumni from eight area seem to be primary indicators of maintain an affinity for their grow up, go on to college, and institutions of higher education relocation.” Interestingly when former state. Even though they leave because there arenʼt any jobs responded to the poll which was asked if they would move back to say its unlikely they would return here” For many Ohioans this most conducted by the Office of Corporate Ohio in the next five years, over in the next five years, The most certainly seems to be the case. In and Community Services at Kent 70% indicated that it was unlikely. frequently cited reasons that fact, according to the Ohio Board of State University, Stark Campus. As one alumni said, “graduates will respondents would relocate back Regents, Ohio loses fully 25% of its Interestingly, the majority of those gravitate back to the area where to Ohio are “to be closer to family graduates from state-supported two who left (over 800) were originally they grew up if job opportunities are (39%),” “because I was recruited and four year institutions within a Ohio residents. While some research there.” Clearly the perception that to work there (26%)” and year after graduation. maintains that those who grow up job opportunities or the economic “because I grew up there (9%)”. and go to college in the same state climate in Ohio will improve in the That, however, is only are likely to stay, these alums near future is not there. The Akron and Canton Chambers half of the story. The chose to leave. have created a marketing loss of graduates is While many felt that opportunities plan and new web site (www. graduated. In other The study also shows the were not available in Ohio, many NEOhioCareers.com) for use by words, while Ohio magnitude of the loss. Nearly also indicated that they were area businesses and organizations only loses 13% half are in professional positions aggressively recruited from outside to assist recruiters in convincing of its associate and 91 are presidents, CEOʼs, the state. In a study conducted Ohio graduates to stay in Ohio. degrees, it loses partners, or owners of businesses. about the brain-drain in Northeast The plan is viewed as the first 62% of But why is this so? Ohio by Case-Western Reserveʼs step in an ongoing and long term its Center for Regional Economic effort to retain college graduates. Those who left Ohio studies, the Cleveland-Akron area A host of groups from the state were asked to agree or virtually “swaps” engineering level on down continue to work disagree with a series graduates with other states. to help Ohio transit into an of statements as to information age economy while why they left. The We produce enough to meet our building on the existing strengths following factors demands, but they leave and go of its manufacturing heritage.

Two College Grads Who Left Ohio Said... Graduates leave for greater job opportunities in strong business sectors like Technologies and Creative Arts–Ohio is seen as the epitome of the Rust Belt, a place for blue-collar workers to stay and a place where white-collar workers are not needed.

There are not many employment opportunities within the State of Ohio— the state should be working with businesses to recruit new businesses to Ohio and create more job opportunities for graduating college students. 43

C anton City Schools GEAR-UP Program Shines at DC Conference

by Adele Gelb, Program Officer, GEAR-UP National Conference Schools programʼs success was and web-based technology Stark Education Partnership in Washington, D.C. the focus of lawmakers, policy that directly impact student chiefs and educators throughout achievement in math, science Paralee Compton, GEAR UP Nearly 2,000 educators and the nation. Canton, this year, and/or literacy. In addition, the coordinator and veteran Canton community partners were was selected to present at an twinning program, currently educator, lead a delegation to the present at the annual unprecedented two sessions at the in schools in Canton City, NCCEP/ conference. GEAR conference. Perry, Minerva and Plain Local UP stands for Gaining Schools enhances professional Early Awareness The Canton City Schools development; technological and Readiness for delegation for the first session proficiency, technology Undergraduate included: Dr. Joseph Rochford, integration through first-hand Programs and Vice President of the Stark experience in a global and represents a major Education Partnership; Rita international environment. Federal program Schaner, Canton Partnership to prepare students 2000 Chair; Dr. Yehuda The delegation for the second for success in K-12 Peled, Western Galilee, Israel session included: Paralee education and for Partnership 2000, Gloria Compton, Gloria Dunnivan, entry into college. Dunnivan, GEAR Up Assistant local businessman Bill Luntz, The Canton City Coordinator; and Martha community volunteer Chet Lottman, Canton Warren, and Hartford School Partnership 2000 Principal Richard Brown. That Coordinator session focused on Project who presented Wheelbarrow, the highly on “Twinning successful local community Partners: Sharing mentoring effort and was Projects between entitled, “Project Wheelbarrow: GEAR UP and Engaging Businesses and Israeli students.” Communities in Improving Academic Achievement.” The overarching goal of this In addition to the presentations, ongoing project Mrs. Compton and Dr. Rochford in Canton is were featured on stage at the to provide Tuesday morning plenary session meaningful with Ohio Congressman John A. SEP Board Member, Paralee Compton and VP, Dr. Joseph Rochford share the stage while instructional Boehner and Under Secretary of Congressman , Chairman of the House Committee on Labor and Education speaks uses of computer Education Eugene W. Hickok.

R ochford and Hutchinson Present in London

by Adele Gelb, Program Officer, new technology goals in the the purpose of meeting increased teachers. It also addresses Stark Education Partnership reauthorization of the Elementary expectations for pre-service and the barriers and practical and Secondary Education Act (No first year teachersʼ knowledge considerations inherent in Dr Joseph Rochford and Dr. Child Left Behind) of Ohioʼs new and use of technology. In a virtual conferencing and Lynn M. Hutchinson recently Leadership Standards. addition the project provides rich collaboration approach. This presented at the Tenth Annual cultural exchange opportunities. fall the project involved Learning Conference in London, A virtual K-16 educational pre-service teachers from England. “Expanded Community: community has been created The presentation examined the Walsh University, supervised Introducing Pre-Service Teaching between the Mateh Asher and value of early field experiences by Dr. Hutchinson and from into a Global Virtual Community” Akko Schools in Israel and in the context of a virtual Kent State University Stark described one Stark County schools and institutions of higher community focused on creating campus, supervised by Dr. response to the introduction of education in Stark County for engaging work for pre-service Russell Hurd. 5

S tark County’s P-16 Compact: An Update Preparation for Math and Science The goals of the P-16 Compact are to increase the college-going rate and to College Admission Partnership: With a $7.5 retain those graduates in Stark County. Completing the Application: million grant awarded by Preparation for Aligning Funding Using ACT as Students find the college the National Science College Admission Curriculum and College Costs Admissions Test & application process daunting. Foundation to the Stark Programs for Decreasing Need for Student Success Remediation As a result, the Stark Education County Educational Service Partnership applied for and received Center, our 17 districts • Completing the • AfterSchool • Stark Access • Dominion Fund a two year grant from OCAN (Ohio will team with our five application • AlignOhio Web Site for ACT Fee Waiver • Preparation • GEAR UP Program • Stark State College College Access Network). College local institutions of higher • Care Teams/ Program for ACT Wrap Around Teams of Technology access advisors (PSA2s) are education to improve math • College Access • Digital Academies Advisors (PSA2) assisting guidance counselors in the and science education. • Math and Science 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 school Partnership • Small Schools years. The goal is to increase the Small Schools: Canton City number of applications completed Schools embarked on the by students at each high school in huge task of converting large Alliance, Canton, and Massillon comprehensive high schools to Education Partnership and the small schools with a rigorous Care Teams: Fairless Local taught Stark County Educational Service Preparation for ACT Tests: curriculum and a personalized us that graduation and college Center are collaborating to create Students need to be prepared environment through the Timken going rates could be increased and continue this project. Funding to take the ACT test. Sisters of Grant at Timken Senior High School with Care Teams. Similar teams for this project has been obtained Charity Foundation of Canton and the Freshman Academy. The are now being established in from H.W. Hoover Foundation has funded an ACT preparation work continues at McKinley Senior Alliance and Canton City Schools. and the Timken Foundation. program for Alliance, Canton and High School through a grant from Massillon. The Stark Education the KnowledgeWorks Foundation. Funding College Costs ACT Tests Partnership has matched this It is expected that over time these GEAR UP: Canton City School ACT as an Admission Test: grant. All juniors and seniors small schools will result in increased students currently in grades 9 and Admission to college in this area will receive a preparation book. graduation and college going rates. 10 are benefiting from a federal requires that a student take the Preparation classes will be taught grant. The Stark Education ACT Test. Not enough students are by guidance counselor interns AfterSchool: The Stark Community Partnership will provide taking the test particularly in the from local colleges. Foundation–based on a study scholarships to graduating Stark County city school districts. supported by Community Health students in those classes based To change that phenomenon, Aligning Curriculum and Foundation of Western Stark upon $25 per proficiency Dominion has provided a grant Programs for Student Success County, the Deuble Foundation, examination passed in grades that pays for students to take AlignOhio is a project of the Stark the Herbert W. Hoover Foundation, 6 and 7 through graduation. the test. The Stark Education County Educational Service Center. the Hoover Foundation, Sisters of $474,000 is dedicated to this Partnership will match this grant. Using funding from Battelle Charity Foundation of Canton, and project. Students signed up for free lunch for Kids, the Ohio Department the Stark Education Partnership– are eligible for these funds. of Education, and the Timken held a county-wide conference and Local Scholarships: Weʼve Foundation, teachers are designing formed regional councils in Alliance, learned that students do not Decreasing Need for College and testing engaging student work Canton and Massillon to coordinate know enough about available Remediation: Each local college tied to the new Ohio learning quality afterschool programs. local scholarships and loans. or university has previously standards. All teachers in Stark We are developing a local web administered a test to determine County will be able to access Digital Academies: 15 of the 17 site that will list scholarships remediation needs. Beginning these lessons. The system is tied to Stark County Schools districts and loans available from local with Stark State College of student performance data and allows have digital academies. We are colleges, local foundations, local Technology, cut off scores on the individualization of the curriculum beginning to explore the related businesses, alumni etc. The Stark ACT will now be used to exempt to address student needs. P-16 possibilities. Community Foundation, the Stark students from remediation.

Imagine a system of education where every child enters school ready to learn, where all third graders read at or above grade level, where all students have taken algebra by the end of the 8th grade, where high school exit exams test students at the 12th-grade level and are aligned with college admissions requirements, where all young people graduate from high school prepared for college or work, and where every student who enters college finishes college.

What Is P-16 Education? A Primer for Legislators – A Practical Introduction to the Concept, Language and Policy Issues of an Integrated System of Public Education-Education Commission of the States 6

County: Lynn Jackson for Alliance students in cooperation with the hat Is a PSA2? High School; Shawn Monahan guidance counselor. for McKinley High School; Sam w ElFaye for Timken High School; In addition to advisors the program and Pam Wedman for Washington offers ACT test preparation to High School. Adele Gelb, from interested students with the support the Stark Education Partnership, of a grant from the Sisters of Charity serves as Program Director for the for learning materials. ACT fees new undertaking. for qualified students have been provided by a grant from Dominion. Advisors have been trained by Geraldine Hayes Chavez, The PSA2s are well aware Assistant Dean of Students, that military, technical and Kent State University. Geriʼs apprenticeship opportunities are experience as a coordinator with extremely valuable and will help Now a new Post Secondary Access Upward Bound and Gear Up, two students to explore those avenues by Adele Gelb, Program Officer, Advisor (PSA2) program has programs designed to increase as well as college. Stark Education Partnership been funded for Stark County by college going rates, make her a a $30,000 grant from the Ohio valuable resource. The Stark Education Partnership One of the goals of the Stark County College Access Network (OCAN). is currently developing a website P-16 Compact is to raise the number That grant is being augmented PSA2s are meeting with students for students/parents with the of high school graduates going by additional funds from the and their families during non- following information: on to college or post-secondary Stark Education Partnership. In school hours encouraging • Tips on completing a training. An effective strategy in the first year the program will participation in the ACT testing college application accomplishing this goal is to create a provide advisors to skilled students program; working with students • Tips on writing a college essay targeted program to increase student identified by the schoolsʼ guidance and counselors to prepare and • Local scholarship opportunities. and parent awareness of what counselors as those who need submit college applications; preparation is needed for college or additional assistance to go on to helping with financial aid and Pictured Above, L to R: Sam ElFaye post secondary education; the types advanced education. assistance applications; and (Timken HS), Lynn Jackson (Alliance HS), Shawn Monahan (McKinley of education available; admissions supporting the process as needed. HS), Pam Wedman (Washington HS), requirements; costs; and how to PSA2s have been named to Each schoolʼs advisor will and Geraldine Chavez (Kent State obtain financial aid and assistance. four urban high schools in Stark accommodate the needs of the University)

N ational and State P-16 Presentations by Dr. Joseph Rochford, Vice President, conference in Washington, was June Steckfus, executive director president of Stark State College Stark Education Partnership “Maximizing Philanthropyʼs of the Maryland Business of Technology and Vickie Conley, Impact on Education. Among the Roundtable for Education. The executive director of the Sisters Grantmakers for Education featured sessions was “When Stark County P-16 Compact of Charity Foundation of Canton. GFE is the only national we say P-16: A comparative was presented by Dr. John organization in the examination of successful P-16 McGrath, compact chair and Materials from this presentation representing both small and large systems with strategies and are available on the GFE website education foundations. recommendations for funders.”

For that reason, membership in This session featured an the organization ranges from examination of two P-16 systems. “mega” foundations such as The first was Marylandʼs state Ford, Rockefeller, and the Bill level effort; the second was the and Melinda Gates Foundation Stark County P-16 Compact. to organizations with specific regional impact, such as Akronʼs The session was moderated by GAR Foundation and the Stark Dr. Adrienne OʼNeill, president Education Partnership. Over 180 of the Stark Education foundations belong to GFE and Partnership and featured a the groupʼs annual conference national perspective offered has long been recognized as one by Janis Summerville from of the most prestigious education the National Association of conferences in the nation. System Heads, the Maryland The theme of the November system was presented by 7

he AlignOhio Partnership Tby Mel Lioi, Assistant • Disseminate district level teachers, Superintendent, Stark County curriculum information to produced 137 Educational Service Center teachers by grade level English, Math, and course. Science and The Stark Portage Area Computer Social Studies Consortium (SPARCC), the Stark The ability to use this powerful exemplar and Portage County Educational tool helps increase student lessons aligned Service Centers, The Ohio achievement by allowing to Ohioʼs Department of Education, The teachers to analyze student data Academic Stark Education Partnership, and then to make curricular and Content Standards Battelle for Kids, The Timken instructional decisions based on using the Center for Foundation, and Schoolnet Inc. the data analysis. Rich content Leadership in School have collaborated on a project to resources, available at each Reformʼs Design improve the teaching and learning teacherʼs desktop, provide the Qualities Model. process. This initiative, called materials needed to implement AlignOhio, provides a sophisticated educational decisions and • Members of the New Further information about resource and instructional deliver high quality instruction Millennium Kids Distance AlignOhio can be found at management tool that allows for each student. Learning Consortium www.sparcc.org teachers and administrators to: contributed 120 lessons, Easy access to extensive each containing a virtual SPARCC is expanding its work • Create lesson plans educational resources is key learning component. with the AlignOhio partners • Link those lessons to Ohioʼs to the success of this project. through participation with the standards, benchmarks, Therefore, area teachers are • The North Canton City Ohio Partners In Promoting and indicators participating in multiple projects Schools staff entered over Student Academic Achievement • Post lessons to a web-enabled to design high quality, aligned 1200 web resources aligned (OPIPSAA). When the extensive network database, content. Examples of resources to the content standards into resources of AlignOhio are • Share lessons, resources, and designed or linked to standards the database. utilized in conjunction with a assessments with other teachers by our teachers are listed below. comprehensive student data within the consortium, • The Math and Science collection tool (DaSL) and a • Integrate the use of student • The High School Core Content Partnership is developing powerful gradebook package data into the instructional Initiative, a collaborative best practice math and (Pinnacle), teachers will have planning process, project of Alliance, Canton science lessons to be shared unbounded capacity to manage • Manage and track whole class City, Fairless, Massillon, with teachers throughout their data, instruction, and resources and individual student instruction, and Plain Local high school the consortium. to improve student achievement.

at www.edfunders.com/events/ our resources are limited. It is economy,” finding ways to Foundation, and Larry Morgan, presentations03.asp. therefore imperative for the state increase college access, and Superintendent of the Stark County to establish policies that secure deliver results to Ohioans for their Educational Service Center. State Commission a maximum return on our public investment in higher education. “Ohioans face a dilemma. investment in higher education.” A complete copy of this Higher education is more On December 18th, the presentation is available on important to our economic With that charge, Ohio Governor Delivering Results Committee the Partnershipʼs web site at future than ever before, yet Bob Taft of the Commission requested www.edpartner.org. created the a presentation on the Stark Governorʼs County P-16 Compact due to its Public Education Network Commission “visibility as one of the finest Dr. Adrienne OʼNeill, on Higher regional compacts in the nation” President of the Stark Education and Education Partnership, the Economy The Compactʼs presentation, presented at the 13th Annual last year. The entitled “Ohio Can Lead the Public Education Network work of the Nation in Education” featured (PEN) national conference commission testimony from Judge W. Don on November 10, 2003. is seen as Reader (ret.) chair of the Stark Together with Battelle for critical in Education Partnership, Drs. Kids, the topic was “Journey preparing Adrienne OʼNeill and Joseph Through Data: Destination Ohio to Rochford from the Partnership, Student Achievement.” compete P-16 Compact Chair Dr. John AlignOhio CDʼs were given in the McGrath, Ward J. Timken, to all of the participants in “knowledge president of the Timken this workshop. Stark Education Partnership 220 Market Ave S, Suite 350 A publication of the Canton, Ohio 44702-2181 NONPROFIT ORG. Stark Education Partnership U.S. POSTAGE (330) 452-0829 phone PA I D (330) 452-2009 fax 220 Market Ave S, Suite 350 www.edpartner.org PERMIT NO. 748 Canton, Ohio 44702-2181 CANTON, OH Board of Directors W. Don Reader, Chair Sarah M. Brown, Vice Chair Robert F. Vail, Treasurer Michael L. Howard, Secretary Theodore V. Boyd Paralee W. Compton Sheila M. Markley-Black John J. McGrath, Ed.D. Richard S. Milligan Ward J. Timken Candy Wallace

Staff Adrienne OʼNeill, Ed.D., President Joseph A. Rochford, Ph.D., Vice President Stephanie Boka, Bookkeeper Adele Gelb, Program Officer Kimberly Ross, Graphics Designer

chievements Worth Noting!

Eight Stark seniors Woods is Cathy Crewse, Moffitt Heights smaller schools, each with its own AReceive Bryrd Outstanding in principal, said that Tuslaw has principal, counselors and teaching Scholarship Science Education gone from an efficient rating to staff. Each learning community The Ohio Department of Education Hoover High School teacher, an excellent rating in reading will have a separate budget and will announced eight Stark County Darrell Woods, received the Great efficiency since receiving the grant handle its own governance, staffing, seniors as Robert C. Byrd Scholars. Lakes Science Centerʼs WOW! and credited Tuslawʼs teachers scheduling and data analysis. The award, $1,500 this year, was Science Award recognizing for their sacrifices in the program. based on the studentʼs GPA, ACT/ Northern Ohio teachers for their Crewes also pointed out the grantʼs This transformation will be made SAT scores, and class rank. Stark outstanding achievement in effect on many of the studentsʼ possible through the second recipients were: Emily Coury– science education. parents, who have been given round of the statewide Ohio High Hoover, Christopher Davis–Canton videos and handbooks on how School Transformation Initiative Central Catholic, John Erickson– to teach their kids to read. “A lot (OHSTI) grants funded through the Washington, Stephanie Finical– McGrath is Most of parents have responded to the partnership of KnowledgeWorks Northwest, Jennifer Rutledge– Distinguished program, saying they appreciate the Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Jackson, Jennifer Sehn–Jackson, College President tools that it gives them.” Tuslaw Gates Foundation. Additional Sarah Shivers–St. Thomas Aquinas, Dr. John McGrath, President of Local has received $250,000– support is also provided by the and Leland Spencer–Perry. Stark State College of Technology, divided evenly among the three U.S. Department of Education, was named “Most Distinguished elementaries–during the past three the Ford Foundation, and the College President” by Phi Theta years from the grant and Crewse Ohio Department of Education. Hartville Elementary Kappa, the international honor is hoping for a continuation. McKinley will receive $1.52 Is Honored society that recognizes academic Davids estimated that the grant–in million through this grant A healthy environment promoting and service achievements of existence since 1999–gives $25 good nutrition, physical activity students at two-year colleges. million per year to about 1,200 Each of the five schools will and tobacco prevention led Gov. schools across Ohio. accommodate approximately 100 Bob Taft to recognize Hartville students per grade level, or up Elementary as among the healthiest Tuslaw Honored for its to 400 students in total. Initially in the state. The school received a OhioReads Program McKinley High students and staff will be randomly Gold Award plaque and special flag Tuslaw Local Schoolsʼ OhioReads School Receives assigned to each school. for their distinction. Other Stark program was one of 12 programs Small School Grant County schools honored were: statewide to gain recognition recently No new buildings will be added. For more information on the Ohio Silver Award–Central Catholic, from OhioReads and Gov. Bob But next year, students at Canton High School Transformation Jackson HS, Longfellow, Sandy Taft. Kelly Davids, the executive McKinley will attend one of five Initiative, visit the KnowledgeWorks Valley, and Timken. Bronze Award– administrator of OhioReads, said smaller learning communities, or Foundation website at www.kwfdn. Belle Stone, William R. Day, East Tuslaw was recognized for a variety schools, housed under the umbrella org. Details will also be available in Canton MS, Edison, McGregor, of reasons, including the improvement of the McKinley High School name. the coming weeks on the McKinley North Nimishillen, Northside, St. of reading skills, parental involvement, From the outside, McKinley will High School web site (www. Maryʼs, Waynesburg, Youtz, and and collaboration of teachers within still be one high school -- one ccsdistrict.org/McKinley) and Hoover. Recognition Award–Lake the program. “The impact of the football team, one band, one speech through community meetings that Elem., Lake MS, Magnolia schools, program on the individual student at team, one chess club -- but inside, will be publicized by the school and and St. Joan of Arc. Tuslaw is remarkable,” said Davids. students will be divided into five on Canton City Schools Television. Foundation, and the Ohio Department of Education KnowledgeWorks Canton City Schools, the Repository, Source: