CROOMS ACADEMY OF INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY (AOIT ) A FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS STORY AND MODEL FOR THE NATION

8/16/2015Henry C. Okraski and Associates CROOMS AOIT provides cutting edge innovation in teaching and learning in a technology-enriched academic environment, engaging students in a curriculum that prepares them for both admittance to college and the technology labor market.

8/16/2015Henry C. Okraski and Associates CROOMS AOIT BACKGROUND Crooms AOIT, located in Sanford, Florida, evolved from a segregated community school in a low income area to an A+ school, rated “Best 100 Schools in the Nation” by U. S. News and World Report and Newsweek’s “ List of Top 1,000 Schools in the United States”. Crooms, in 2011, named Number 1 in the Nation for Classroom Connectivity.

8/16/2015Henry C. Okraski and Associates HISTORY OF CROOMS AOIT Founded in 1926 by Professor Crooms as the only black high school in Sanford, Florida Founded in 1926 by Professor Crooms as the only black high school in Sanford, Florida Seminole County desegregated in 1970 and the community high school was lost Seminole County desegregated in 1970 and the community high school was lost Crooms became a school for academically-struggling students, those with behavioral problems and pregnant teenagers Crooms became a school for academically-struggling students, those with behavioral problems and pregnant teenagers School burned to the ground in 1973 School burned to the ground in 1973 In year 2000, Justice Department would lift desegregation order in 2003 if Crooms were to be rebuilt as an information technology academy In year 2000, Justice Department would lift desegregation order in 2003 if Crooms were to be rebuilt as an information technology academy Crooms was named a “magnet “ school for information technology Crooms was named a “magnet “ school for information technology

8/16/2015Henry C. Okraski and Associates CROOMS AOIT REPORT CARD A+ School for fourth year in a row A+ School for fourth year in a row Highest FCAT science scores in the district Highest FCAT science scores in the district Greater than 95% graduation rate for three years- 100% in 2010 Greater than 95% graduation rate for three years- 100% in % of students earn college credit through dual enrollment 30% of students earn college credit through dual enrollment 57% students pass Advanced Placement tests 57% students pass Advanced Placement tests Engineering team wins Lockheed Martin engineering competition Engineering team wins Lockheed Martin engineering competition Received State of Florida STEM Award in 2010 Received State of Florida STEM Award in 2010 Student body approximately 50% minority Student body approximately 50% minority

8/16/2015Henry C. Okraski and Associates What Made Crooms a Success? Founders had a vision and “stayed the course” with a defined mission Founders had a vision and “stayed the course” with a defined mission Designation as “Magnet School” fosters student demand and technology focus Designation as “Magnet School” fosters student demand and technology focus High quality, motivated teachers and administrators High quality, motivated teachers and administrators Positioned in a rich technology environment of modeling, simulation and information technology with local job opportunities Positioned in a rich technology environment of modeling, simulation and information technology with local job opportunities Post-secondary academic degree programs available in modeling, simulation and instructional technology Post-secondary academic degree programs available in modeling, simulation and instructional technology Spawned an active Business Advisory Council that influences curriculum and provides monetary, internship and other support Spawned an active Business Advisory Council that influences curriculum and provides monetary, internship and other support Requires parent cooperation and involvement Requires parent cooperation and involvement Incoming students issued laptop computers Incoming students issued laptop computers Student assignments, grades, progress reports, homework all on-line Student assignments, grades, progress reports, homework all on-line

8/16/2015Henry C. Okraski and Associates SUMMARY Professor Crooms established a high school in a minority neighborhood Professor Crooms established a high school in a minority neighborhood Desegregation essentially eliminated community school-building served other purposes Desegregation essentially eliminated community school-building served other purposes Crooms building burned to the ground in 1973 Crooms building burned to the ground in 1973 New high school constructed with a bold, innovative high technology mission New high school constructed with a bold, innovative high technology mission Central Florida became the National Center for Simulation with military acquisition agencies located in Orlando with over $5B business/year Central Florida became the National Center for Simulation with military acquisition agencies located in Orlando with over $5B business/year UCF and the Institute for Simulation and Training offer advanced degrees and conduct research in modeling and simulation UCF and the Institute for Simulation and Training offer advanced degrees and conduct research in modeling and simulation Large industry base supports simulation and provides advice and support to Crooms Large industry base supports simulation and provides advice and support to Crooms Students issued laptop computers as freshmen. Parents receive training and are totally involved, especially through the internet Students issued laptop computers as freshmen. Parents receive training and are totally involved, especially through the internet Teachers have superior credentials, administrators and students are highly motivated for success. Teachers have superior credentials, administrators and students are highly motivated for success. Graduation rate for 2010 was 100% Graduation rate for 2010 was 100% Crooms named in top 100 high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and Newsweek’s top schools Crooms named in top 100 high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and Newsweek’s top schools

8/16/2015Henry C. Okraski and Associates Connie Collins Principal Dr. Connie Collins has been principal of Crooms Academy of Information Technology since 2000 which marked the development of the planning and implementation of the technology magnet program. Dr. Collins previously worked as an assistant principal at Seminole High School and Teague Middle, and taught social studies in Orange County Public Schools for 10 years. She has worked as an educator since Dr. Collins received her Bachelors Degree from University of West Florida, Pensacola and both Masters and Doctoral Degrees from University of Central Florida, Orlando. She was selected as the Florida nominee for the NASSP National Principal of the Year.