"One of the most important education imperatives facing the state of Missouri is to reach out to youngsters who are not headed to college and keep them from dropping out of high school. About half of our high school graduates do not go on to college and one in four students entering high school never graduate. We must provide them with an exciting and rigorous program of academic and technical education that leads to community college or workplace skill development. The A+ Schools Program is designed to accomplish that imperative.
The A+ Schools Program will mobilize an intensive partnership among high schools, community colleges, students, teachers, parents, labor, businesses, and communities to give these students the motivation, skills, and knowledge to graduate from high school. It will create an innovative and well-designed path from high school to high skill, high wage jobs."
The Outstanding Schools Act establishes the A+ Schools Program to provide grant awards to Missouri’s public secondary schools that demonstrate a commitment to ensure that:
- All students be graduated from school;
- All students complete a selection of high school studies that is challenging and for which there are identified learning expectations; and
- All students proceed from high school graduation to a college or post secondary vocational or technical school or high wage job with work place skill development opportunities.
These goals are paramount to the solvency, revitalization, and economic well being of the state.
Goals of the A+ Schools Program
- All students to graduate from high school;
- All students to complete a selection of high school studies that is challenging and for which there are identified learning expectations; and
- All students to proceed from high school graduation to a college or post-secondary vocational or technical school or high wage job with work place skill development opportunities.
History
May 26, 1992
Gubernatorial candidate Mel Carnahan issued his educational plan for Missouri entitled, "World Class Schools for Missouri," with the A+ Schools Program as a centerpiece of educational reform.
August 28, 1993
With the passage of SB380, Governor Carnahan's educational reform plan becomes law, and the A+ Schools Program is implemented.
June 15, 1996
Kennett School District No. 39 is awarded an A+ Schools Grant.
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What is the A+ Schools Program?
The A+ Schools Program, funded by a state grant, is a multi-faceted process involving:
- Curriculum revision
- Implementation of new classes
- An active community partnership
- A mentoring program
- A school-to-work program
- Career Paths
- Post high school tuition and other fees
Who is affected by the A+ Schools Program?
All students at Kennett High School will benefit from the A+ Schools Program.
What changes has the A+ Schools Program made?
- Principles of Technology I & II
- Applied Communications
- Introduction to Electronics
- Physical Science
- AutoCAD for Drafting
- Automation & Networking of the Science Building
What other changes will the A+ Schools Program make?
- More Applied Communications
- Applied Mathematics
- Applied Economics
- Applied Biology & Chemistry
What is the A+ tuition incentive?
With A+ Schools designation in the Spring of 1999, KHS students enrolled in the A+ program can receive scholarships from the state of Missouri to pursue additional studies or training in a Missouri community college or vocational/technical training school.
To be eligible for the tuition and other fees, students must meet the following criteria:
- 2.5 grade point average over four years
- 95% attendance over last three years in high school
- 50 hours of tutoring and/or community service
- A record of good citizenship
- Avoidance of drugs and alcohol
- Application for federal financial aid before applying for A+ scholarship
- An A+ Schools contract signed in good faith
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