Clarksville Montgomery County Schools Bridges: Transitions to Graduation Dr. Kimi Sucharski

Transition Program……Why……. Only 14% of the students who were administratively promoted to the 9th grade in 2002/03 and 2003/04, in the Clarksville Montgomery County School System, graduated High School. CMCSS Data

Further……. 38% of students administratively promoted drop-out of high school before their senior year US Dept. of Ed 2004 NCREL 2004

In today’s global economy, 97% of all jobs require some education beyond high school. Forbes 2005 Business Week 2005

What is Bridges? Bridges is an innovative transition program designed to provide administratively students with the supports necessary to graduate high school on time with their peers.

Why… 94% of administratively promoted students who participate in this type of a program successfully complete high school. US Dept. of Ed 2005 NCREL 2005

Why… Currently less than 1% of the students in CMCSS who participate in the Bridges transition program are at-risk of dropping out of high school. CMCSS 2004/2013

BRIDGES EOY Data Number of Entering 9th Graders% Graduating on-time % (class of 0708) % (class of 0809) % (class of 0910) %(class of 1011) % (class of 1112) % (class of 1213) Class = 38 moved from district, 110/116 graduated on time, 3 moved out of area without finishing HS, 3 involved with justice system. Source: CMCSS EOY Bridge data Created: Sucharski.Tomes

Program Design: Summer Component 1 Reading in the Content Area Teacher 1 Foundation Math (Algebra focus) Teacher 1 Building Aide/Nurse 1 Tutor 2 classrooms in students assigned high school 2-4 high school student mentors 1 bus Class size: teacher/student 1/12

Program Design: Summer Component Pre/Post Assessment (Learning Links: Lexiles and Quantiles) Reading in the Content Area (National Geographic materials) Foundations/Carnegie Math (Algebra focus, hands on manipulatives) Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens (Sean Covey) Classroom Strategies that Work (Robert Marzano) Structure Your Reading (Barbara Ehron)

Program Design: Academic Year Components 1. Personal monitoring by principal and guidance counselor 2. Teacher monitoring 3. Mentoring 4. Tutoring 5. Grade Recovery 6. Credit Recovery 7. Summer Remediation

Grade Recovery Student failed first 9 weeks Works on those standards in after/before school setting. If passes second 9 weeks, and completes the afterschool component (standard set at 80%), awarded 70 for first 9 weeks. Credit Recovery Student failed course Works on those standards in after/before school setting (66 hours per 1/2 credit) Standard set at 80%

Pathways Established 2006 – 07 73% of students identified for Bridges began experiencing problems in the 6 th grade Identified at risk 5 th graders transitioning to middle school. 97.3% experience success in middle school and transition to HS successfully (note: approximately 50% move from district before the end of 8 th grade)

100% Graduation Project The campaign began when the “Silent Epidemic” report of falling graduation rates across the nation was released. The report noted that the national graduation rate for the high school class of 2007 was 68.8%. This meant that approximately one-third of all high school students across the nation were failing to graduate. With this in mind, the Clarksville-Montgomery County School System and the community it serves initiated a collaborative effort to unite everyone in promoting high school graduation. Together, business leaders, faith leaders, elected officials and school leaders are lifting up the community with a 100% graduation commitment.

100% Graduation Project The district has many intervention and at-risk programs in place using traditional and non-traditional processes to assist students from Kindergarten through 12 th grade as they progress toward earning a high school diploma. However, research from organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Alliance for Excellent Education, and the Center for Evaluation & Education Policy, cite America’s falling graduation rates and the disparity between those students who are at risk of dropping out and those who don’t is the inclusion in their lives of at least one strong relationship with an adult, as well as connectivity to their school and community. CMCSS knew that it could put every possible program in place but support was needed from the community if the schools were truly going to be successful in raising the graduation rate to 100%.

100% Graduation Project Over one hundred organizations have joined this effort since June 5, To view a copy of the contract and a list of partnerships go to

Clarksville Montgomery County Schools Bridges: Transitions to Graduation Dr. Kimi Sucharski