Hamilton R-2 takes a look at Project Lead the Way
High School Principal Tim Schieber visited the high school in Kearney and gave a presentation to the Hamilton school board on Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a program that Kearney has implemented in their school. Schieber began by stating that the U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that jobs in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) will grow 17 percent by 2018—nearly doubling their growth compared to non-STEM fields.
High School graduates who participated in this project were more than three times as likely to major in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields and 3 to 4 times more likely to study engineering vs. non-Project Lead the Way graduates. Kids who took three or more of these courses while in high school were six times more likely to study STEM in college, and eight times more likely to study engineering. PLTW participation is significantly related to persistence in the second year of college. Schieber said, “That is one thing that is difficult, we have a lot kids that go to college, but getting them to be successful and stay is something that is important as well.”
Kearney is battling with trying to get girls to go in to fields that are non-traditional for females and feel like the project is helping there. The medium wage for their students was 13.6% higher, even if they didn’t go to college. They felt like the skills they were learning in this program gave them an opportunity to earn a better wage. According to a survey of PLTW students at the end of their senior year, 70% said they intended to study engineering, technology, computer science or another applied science. 93% intended to pursue at least a 2 to 4 year degree.
Schieber said that Penney High School has had a lot of successful graduates in the medical field for which the school promotes through classes and would like to see more support in other fields as well. Training for the program consists of four years of courses that teachers will have to take. If Hamilton were to accept this program, the teacher who would teach the subject would first go to a required two week intensive course in Rolla this summer, and after the training, he/she would teach the first year program called Engineering Design. Schieber said that when you go into this program you will be committed to doing it every year.
The second year called Principles of Engineering (math intensive) would require another two weeks training in the summer. Schieber suggested they see how the first year goes in order to make a determination. Kearney advised that it is good to have more than one teacher involved in the training. At the third year you have to make some decisions on courses of which there are several options: aerospace engineering, civil engineering architecture, computer integrated manufacturing, computer science and software engineering, digital electronics or environmental sustainability. The fourth year is a capstone course of Engineering Design and Development.
Schieber said that before they become too serious about the program, they need to know if it is financially possible. The basic cost to start the program is $39,250. He believes the program can be funded through the Vocational Enhancement grant that they are currently utilizing in the high school, and part of that grant money is at 50/50 and some is at 75/25. The biggest cost will be the computers and other equipment needed. His projection for the cost for the first year with the grant is $12,725. Because this is Vocational Enhancement money, after three years, they can move the computers off and rewrite the grant again.
The course would be offered to students of all high school grades. When asked about classroom size, Schieber said his goal for the first year would be 10 and 20 later on. The program would be an opportunity to help the students who don’t qualify for a gifted program.
Ford said if they were not able to use the grant money for the project and had to come up with $50 or $60 grand, his decision would be no. But if they would only have to come up with $12,000, from the District standpoint, he thought they could handle that. Schieber added that there was a $3,000 fee every year. He left the decision with the board to determine it is was something the district would be interested in.
News from the student council is that they will be testing out the web using electronic voting for candidates for Courtwarming, they welcomed the new physics club, FFA has a new sign out by the school, wrestling has a big tournament this Friday and Saturday with 37 class 1 teams participating, cheerleaders have their first male cheerleader. A pie fundraiser was held that earned $350 to help pay for uniforms and they will be doing holiday performances Friday. Choir’s concert went well and some of the choir members will be singing at the Methodist Church.
Board member Jesse Green gave the MSBA report. The legislative session starts Jan. 6. The school board advocacy network day is Feb. 9 and you can register at the MSBA website. The 2015 legislative forum is Feb. 16. Keep a watch on what happens with the Students Success Act which will give more local control back to schools.
The school’s accountant, John Gillum, CPA from Kirksville, attend the board meeting and presented his audit report. The cost of the audit was $6,500. Superintendent Ford said he was pleased with the way the audit turned out. He said the budget was a working guide that he uses to make sure the district goes through the year without any issues. “Overall, I think we have a good plan here,” said Ford. The board made a motion and approved the 2016 budget.
Superintendent Ford said one of his projects for 2016 will be to replace the guttering on the high school, which will be fairly costly, adding that if they don’t get it fixed, they will have more issues down the road. Ford said he had been in touch with the insurance company regarding the water damage in the gym. He complimented principals Schieber and Richmond on their help given with the students that traveled to St. Louis for the football championship game. The District has also written a grant to purchase a double door refrigerator for the high school kitchen. Ford said they had only one Belcher scholarship application, and that was Meredith Clevenger. Her application will be sent to the State.
