1. C OMMUNITY P ARTNERS ’ M EETING September 12, 2011 Greene County Board of Education G ateway to E ducational A chievement and R eengagement

2. Welcome and Meeting Overview Breakfast/Meet & Greet Introductions Sign-in Sheet Goal for Today to Discuss: Program Initiatives Program Goals Opportunities for Partnerships

3. High School Graduation Initiative Purpose 1)Effective Early Identification, Prevention, and Intervention Programs Early intervention programs to identify at-risk students and prevent such students from dropping out Effective programs to identify and encourage students who have dropped out of school to reenter and graduate 2) Collaboration with Other Agencies

4. GEAR Goals Goal 1: Increase the graduation rate. Goal 2: Identify and encourage youth who have already dropped out of school to reenter school and complete their secondary education. Goal 3: Prevent students who are at risk from dropping out of high school. Goal 4: Ensure students successfully complete the ninth grade.

5. GEAR Team Members GEAR serves and consists of personnel in Jones, Greene, and Upson Counties. GEAR Coalition Task Force Project Director (Dr. Charlene Hampton) Assistant Superintendents (Ms. Cynthia Brictson, Greene County) Evaluator 5

6. GEAR Team Members GEAR Dropout Prevention Team in Greene County Dropout Prevention Coordinator, Rotonya Rhodes Learning Academy Director, Rotonya Rhodes Graduation Coach, Manus Caldwell 9 th Grade Guidance Counselor, Tracy Ivery Counselor, Torri Merritt Regular and special education teachers Other Professionals as Needed

7. Key Components of GEAR 1.Early Intervention Programs to Identify At-Risk Students Coordination of Data Collection and Monitoring Led by Dropout Prevention Coordinator Analyze data and develop dropout prevention plan based on individual student needs Personalized Learning Environments a.Freshman Academy b.Professional Learning Teams Interdisciplinary Learning Teams in ninth grade Common Planning (content specific) for grades 10-12 c.Middle School Transitions Led by middle and high school graduation coaches Focus on students identified as at risk for dropping out

8. Key Components of GEAR 2. Dropout Prevention Programs – School-wide Rigorous / Relevant Instruction a.Professional Learning Teams b.College and Career Related Education Partnership to provide dual enrollment with Athens Technical College College application and financial aid forms assistance, college and career fairs, and preparation for entrance exams Work-based learning: internships, employability skills development, youth apprenticeship

9. Key Components of GEAR 2. Dropout Prevention Programs – Student-Targeted Adult Advocates a.Teachers-As-Advisors Coordinated by graduation coach Advisors will collaborate with the Dropout Prevention Team b.Mentors Includes school administrators, support staff, or community members Students identified as at risk of dropping out

10. Key Components of GEAR 2. Dropout Prevention Programs – Student-Targeted (continued) Academic Support a.Monitoring and Interventions b.Extended Learning Time / Credit Recovery / Deliberate Tutorial Help Extended learning time: before and after school, Saturdays, summer, evenings Incentives including transportation and meals

11. Key Components of GEAR 2. Dropout Prevention Programs – Student-Targeted (continued) Academic Support a.Focused Reading and Math Support Classes offered throughout the day and after school to provide remediation b. Middle School Preventative Support Target 6-8 grade students to limit incoming ninth graders who need to catch up Counselors actively engage with rising ninth graders to discuss course selection and goals

12. Key Components of GEAR 2. Dropout Prevention Programs – Student-Targeted (continued) Social and Behavior Initiatives a.Help Students Establish Goals Teacher Advisors and Mentors b.Recognize Student Accomplishments c.Strengthen Problem-Solving Skills d.Improve Interagency Coordination

13. Key Components of GEAR 3. Reentry Programs Identification of dropouts Individualized Reenrollment Options Learning Academy (Evening School) Credit Recovery Work-based learning

14. Key Components of GEAR 5. Collaboration With Community Partners Interagency Coordination Local Churches Local Banks Families, Youth and Communities Alliance Program Media Support Universities and Colleges Family Connection

15. CONCLUSION D ISCUSSION & Q UESTIONS

16. GREENE COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM 101 E. Third Street, Greensboro, GA 30642 Phone: 706-453-7688, Fax: 706-453-9019 Dr. Barbara Pulliam-Davis, Superintendent Board of Education: Mr. Arlie Collins, Chair Ms. Velicia Cobb, District 1 Ms. Deborah Smith, District 2 Mr. John Carver, District 3 Ms. Leah Dukes, District 4 16