| Great Schools partners with Simon Youth Foundation |
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The media gave a lot of attention to the opening of the new Dr. Paul L. Kelley Volunteer Academy at the Knoxville Center Mall. This non-traditional school will enable dozens of Knox County students, who have not been successful in the traditional high school setting, an opportunity to graduate from high school. Funded primarily by a grant from the Indiana based Simon Youth Foundation, similar schools have boasted graduation rates in excess of 90%! That's important when you consider that students who don't graduate high school are at least three times more likely to wind up in jail, on drugs, unemployed, or pregnant out of wedlock.
 What was not reported in the local media was that Great Schools Partnership was the Simon Youth Foundation's local funding partner for the new school. GSP raised and contributed $50,000 to the effort, which represented roughly 25% of the school's start-up costs. As Dr. Rick Markhoff of the Simon Youth Foundation stated at the school's grand opening on November 1, 2010, "this new academy would not have happened but for the Great Schools Partnership."
The Great Schools Partnership is proud to have played a role in creating this innovative new school and looks forward to reporting back to you after its first year of operation. |
| ourGreat Schools Partnership's TAP program leads to grant |
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 TAP or Teacher Advancement Program was started in four schools by the Great Schools Partnership -- Londsdale Elementary, Pond Gap Elementary, Northwest Middle and Holston Middle. These four schools initially adopted the program, which uses teacher collaboration and mentoring to improve the instructional ability of teachers.
Through weekly cluster meetings, intense study of data, and a system of mentor and master teachers, TAP has proved successful in fostering a climate that emphasizes constant improvement. As schools show progress, the entire staff of a school is able to receive incentive pay.
The effectiveness of the TAP program in these four schools enabled Knox County to receive a grant for $26.5 million that will allow TAP to be expanded to 13 more schools in North, South and East Knox County. read more |
| $200,000 Grant to Great Schools Partnership |
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The Great Schools Partnership's purpose is to foster community partnerships that will help the Knox County School system. We are proud to announce a $200,000 grant from The Knoxville News-Sentinel and Scripps Network. These two companies realize the importance of engaging in the public educational process. Over the next five years they will provide funding as well as in-kind support.
Without the support of organizations like the Knoxville News-Sentinel and Scripps Network, the GSP would not be able to fund innovative programs to enhance the school system. To find out how your company or organization can become more engaged, visit our website www.greatschoolspartnership.com or call Virginia Babb at (865) 215-4587. |
