Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 10, 1994 TAG: 9408100063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Principals must give high priority to reducing the city's dropout rate of 7 percent in middle school and 9 percent in high school, Harris said Tuesday at a conference for principals and central office administrators..
It was more than just a routine request or remark. Harris said he means it - and he made clear what he expects.
"This is a mandate to all administrators at each high school and middle school and includes early intervention strategies by each elementary principal," Harris said.
"We must increase the graduation rate by developing programs to reconnect students to school. We must decrease the dropout rate by increasing the graduation rate."
The superintendent said the school system must make better use of computer technology to monitor and track attendance to prevent some dropouts from being counted twice.
In Virginia, the dropout rate averages 5 percent, but there are several school divisions with a higher rate than Roanoke.
Those with a higher dropout rate include Norfolk, with 11 percent, and Martinsville, Halifax County and Petersburg, with 10 percent.
Roanoke County's rate is 2 percent, and Salem's, 4 percent. Other nearby counties' rates are: Bedford, 2 percent; Botetourt, 3 percent; Franklin, 8 percent; Montgomery, 6 percent; and Pulaski, 7 percent.
Harris said instructional and staff technology will remain a top priority in the next school year with the establishment of a technology office for the school system. It will include several people to help manage and maintain computers and other technology.
The school system has developed a $7.5 million plan to upgrade technology over the next five years. The first $1.5 million is included in a city bond referendum in November.
Begining next year, Harris said all employees must have the ability to use computers or be willing to be trained to use computers and other technology.
"Demonstrated technology literacy by all employees will become a prerequisite for employment beginning with the next hiring season," he said. "It is that important."
Harris said schools will continue to use computer whiz kids in high school to help train teachers and school staffs.
Harris said the school division must remain committed to safe schools and not back away from the tough policy of expelling students who bring drugs or weapons to schools. Thirty-six percent of middle and high school parents have signed pledges to support a firm disciplinary policy. Harris said the forms will be circulated again next month and more parents will be asked to sign them.
A conduct code also will be developed for elementary pupils in the next year, similar to that adopted for middle and high schools in the past year, he said.
The superintendent said principals and teachers must develop a plan for improving students' scores on standardized tests.
As part of the focus on academics, eighth-grade students will be encouraged to take a foreign language and algebra. Middle school students will also be counseled on the benefits of an advanced studies diploma, Harris said.
The superintendent cited the school system's achievement in the past year, saying that principals and other administrators deserve part of the credit. He pointed to the high number of graduates who will go to college - 65 percent - and more than $1 million in scholarships awarded to the graduates.
Nearly 160 seniors were honor graduates this past June, including three National Merit scholars. Nearly 250 students took dual-enrollment classes, for which they received college credit for classes taken during their high school years.
Harris said the two-day conference for principals and others is designed to help build a team approach.
"Team effort is the key to improving our own performance and the performance of our students," he said. "This is the wisdom of teams."
by CNB