CATOOSA PERFORMANCE LEARNING CENTER

The Communities in Schools Performance Learning Center (PLC) of Catoosa County was developed to bring another learning option to area high school students. The PLC serves non-first year high school students who are unsuccessful and/or lack interest in a traditional school setting, experience poor academic achievement, suffer with chronic tardiness and absences, and are at a high risk of dropping out of high school.

The Performance Learning Center creates a business-like learning environment where students complete assignments using an integrated online and project-based curriculum. The PLC staff uses the Communities In Schools (CIS) philosophy to build a caring, learning environment where students are challenged to meet their social and academic goals.

Some Catoosa County HistoryFor more detail try this link: http://www.gatewaytogeorgia.com/catoosa/catoosa.php

The History of Catoosa CountyBorn from the Cherokee Indian nation, Catoosa County was created on December 5, 1853 with land taken from neighboring Walker and Whitfield counties. The name is derived from the Cherokee word "catoosa," meaning "between two hills.“ Ringgold was designated as the county seat one year after the county was created. It was named for Major Samuel Ringgold who died of wounds received in the Mexican War, Battle of Palo Alto in 1846.

The Ringgold Depot was significant in transporting Confederate soldiers during the Civil War and is one of the few remaining antebellum railroad depots in the state. It was the backdrop for the Great Locomotive Chase in 1862. From here General Sherman led his troops through Ringgold Gap to begin his campaign against Atlanta and the heart of the South.

Built at the turn of the century, Fort Oglethorpe was home to the 6th Cavalry and was considered to be the best Cavalry post in the United States. In 1946 the military installation was sold by the government to a local group of civilians as a ready made town. Today, the original Cavalry post buildings on Barnhardt Circle are used as private homes.

Located in Fort Oglethorpe, the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park is the oldest and largest park of its kind. Eight historic areas constitute approximately 8,000 acres of Civil War battlegrounds. The year 1863 found Union and Confederate troops clashing near Chickamauga Creek in what proved to be, for the number of men involved, the bloodiest battle in American history. It serves as a reminder of our eventful past.

Students who graduate from high school on time (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years2006 2007 2008 2009 201070.9% 69.9% 72.1% 77.4% 80.3%

Teens who are high school drop outs (ages 16-19) (percent 2000)11.7%

Catoosa County Demographics

High school graduates eligible for the HOPE scholarship (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years2005 2006 2007 2008 200966.6% 60.3% 45.5% 45.3% 45.1%

Catoosa County Demographics

• Other Education Adult educational attainment: High school graduate or higher (Number) 2000 26,786

• Adult educational attainment: High school graduate or higher (Percent) 2000 76.0%

• Adult educational attainment: Bachelor's degree or higher (Number) 2000 4,857

• Adult educational attainment: Bachelor's degree or higher (Percent) 2000 13.8%

Catoosa County Demographics

3rd grade students meeting or exceeding state standards on CRCT promotional tests in reading (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years; Show All Years 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

96% 92% 94% 97% 96%

5th grade students meeting or exceeding state standards on CRCT promotional tests in reading (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years; Show All Years 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

95% 89% 91% 96% 96%

8th grade students meeting or exceeding state standards on CRCT promotional tests in reading (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years; Show All Years 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

85% 92% 92% 97% 97%

5th grade students meeting or exceeding state standards on CRCT promotional tests in math (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years; Show All Years 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

93% 93% 94% 88% 88%

8th grade students meeting or exceeding state standards on CRCT promotional tests in math (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years; Show All Years 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

73% 83% 87% 84% 85%

Catoosa County Demographics

Eligible children enrolled in the Georgia Pre-K program (Percent) 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 53.9% 56.8%

Children from low income families enrolled in the Georgia Pre-K program (Percent) 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

44.6% 50.3% 52.5% 45.5% 43.0%Children living with single parent (Percent)200020.0%

Students eligible to receive free or reduced price meals (Percent) 2007 2008 2009 2010 201141.3% 40.5% 42.9% 47.6% 48.9%

Families with children with annual incomes of less than 150% of the federal poverty threshold (Percent)200018.2%

Catoosa County Demographics

Babies born to mothers with less than 12 years of education (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

26.0% 28.1% 19.0% 21.8% 21.4%

Substantiated incidents of child abuse and/or neglect (Rate per 1,000) Showing most recent 5 years2004 2005 2006 2007 200826.9 27.4 26.9 20.2 18.2

Unemployment (Percent) Showing most recent 5 years2006 2007 2008 2009 20103.6% 3.8% 5.0% 7.3% 8.0%

Catoosa PLC Background

The Catoosa PLC was established in the 2004-2005 school

year by Communities In Schools (CIS) and the local

Catoosa County Public School System. Initial seed money

was provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation

through their partnership with CIS.

The former Ft. Oglethorpe Elementary School, which was

originally built in 1954, was remodeled for five academic

and one vocational classrooms. Educational software,

Novanet, was used at all PLCs. There were eventually to be

twenty six PLCs in Georgia, as well as other locations in

North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Washington State,

Arizona and Pennsylvania.

Catoosa PLC has one teacher for each subject area – math,

social studies, language arts, science, electives, vocational.

There is one administrator, office manager, bookkeeper,

and 2 cafeteria staff.

The PLC concept is to allow students who are behind in

school and at risk of dropping out to work at a faster,

individual pace so they can catch up and graduate with

their class. Since students who apply must be behind in

high school, first time 9th grades aren’t considered for

enrollment.

PLC General Information

The PLC is located on historic Barnhardt Circle, which was the hub of the military base that existed from 1904 until 1947. Barnhardt Circle was surrounded by the officers homes and some barracks, and many of these 100 years old buildings are used today as homes and apartments. This area is directly adjacent to the Chickamauga National Military Park. Also in this grassy area inside Barnhardt Circle are several baseball and softball fields. This picture shows three of these homes across the street from the school. Note the small oaks, which PLC students planted as a community service project in an effort to re-establish the ring of oaks that once lined the circle.

The PLC was originally designed for the CIS requirement of a maximum 15 students per class.

Classrooms are designed to present an office or business-like environment. All of a teacher’s subjects are engaged in every period.

The PLC concept includes beginning each day with Morning Motivation, to welcome the students and provide a forum for guest

speakers and other motivational activities.

Unique PLC Culture

Individual coursework pace that allows students to earn credits faster than the normal classroom would allow.

Cell phones are allowed, except not to be used in the classroom.

Seniors must complete a senior project, including a presentation to a three or four member community panel.

Class time can be borrowed from one class for another, and returned later in the semester.

If a student doesn’t complete a course, they pick up where they left off the next semester.

Flexible schedule – students who work late hours can attend 10:00 – 4:00, or 12:00 to 5:30. Fridays are make-up for absences or to work ahead. After school classes can be used to work ahead. Regular school day is 8:30 to 2:45.

Students must apply (includes two recommendations from home school staff) and undergo an interview process to attend.

Below is a community herb garden constructed by a senior project team funded by a Learn and Serve Grant:

PLC Unique Culture The math class room:

The PLC has averaged graduating 40 students each year. This increased the Catoosa System graduation rate nearly 10% in 2005, and about 6% in 2010.

A conventional discipline policy, such as detentions or ISS, isn’t part of the PLC.

Bus riders take their usual bus to their home school, then are shuttled to the PLC.

Any Catoosa high school student is eligible to apply to take courses at the PLC during the

2:45 – 4:00 (2nd shift) or 4:00 – 5:30 (3rd shift) periods.

CHaSYN grant provides funding for a student services coordinator and other services.

PLC students’ receive their diploma from their home school. Graduates walk with their home school. Students are eligible for extracurricular activities at the home school – sports, clubs, ROTC, etc.

CHaSYNCreating Healthy and Strong Youth Now

CHaSYN is grant funded and provides a wide range of FREE services only to PLC students and their families with the goal of improving students’ success by encouraging the overall health of the entire family.

Partners include: North Georgia Health Center, Communities in Schools of Catoosa, Learning Center of Catoosa County (Adult literacy & GED), Center for Hope (mental health).

Students: Parents & Family:

Medical, dental, & vision care Medical, dental, & vision care

Homework assistance & tutoring Job counseling

Teen parenting classes Violence prevention

Counseling Counseling

College preparedness classes Computer training

Substance abuse prevention Adult literacy & GED classes

Adolescent pregnancy prevention Engaging Fathers class

Childcare Childcare

Family leadership training Family leadership training

Healthy baby classes Life skills training

PLC Data

School Year Initiative or Reform Effort2010 PLC Expansion (150), Flexible Scheduling (add 2 after school periods)2009 Switch to Apex Learning Software from Novanet2007 SACS Accreditation2006 0 Period (7 AM class) for extended learning Student Data:Year Total Enrolled Black White Hisp Asian Amer Ind. Multi-Racial Male

Female2009-2010 105 3% 89% 3% 2% 3% 52% 48%2008-2009 113 3% 90% 2% 1% 2% 2% 54% 46%2007-2008 108 3% 93% 3% 1% 1% 0% 58% 42%

Free / Reduced Lunch Number Percent of Student Population2009-2010 45 44%2008-2009 48 46%2007-2008 51 47%

PLC Data

Special Education Program Enrollment Percent of Student Population2009-2010 0 02008-2009 1 12007-2008 1 1

English Language Learners Program Enrollment Percent of Student Population2009-2010 1 12008-2009 0 02007-2008 0 0

Attrition Rate of Teachers Number Percent of Teacher Population2009-2010 0 02008-2009 0 0

Number of Certified Teachers Percent of Highly QualifiedTeachers Teaching in Field for Entire Day

6 100%

PLC Data

Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT)

Percentage of 11th Graders Passing on First Administration

2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 Georgia 2011

English GPS 84% GPS 73% GPS 83% 91%

Mathematics QCC 87% QCC 70% GPS 34% 84%

Science GPS 72% GPS 61% GPS 72% 93%

Social Studies QCC 48% GPS 37% GPS 54% 80%

Writing 93% 83% 100%

Most PLC students enter as 11th or 12th graders. Many taking the graduation tests at the PLC did not take the core courses needed to prepare for them at the PLC. Some would have failed those core courses and have yet to complete the retaking of them at the PLC. Or they may have passed and forgotten most of the material since it would have been 2 or 3 years since taking the courses. Remember, most PLC students were not successful 9th and 10th graders – that’s why they came to us. It’s a big mountain to climb.

PLC Expectations

This is posted in every classroom, the cafeteria, and front hall.

This is the guideline for behavior and performance.

This is the core of the Catoosa PLC

culture.

PLCThe student population reflects the racial mix of the area. The socio-economic mix will tend to

include lower income to middle class students. The student population has a much higher proportion of teen mothers and expectant mothers than traditional high schools (we call them home schools) in Catoosa County. The flexibility of our individual-paced instructional style,

extended hours, and smaller school setting is especially beneficial to the needs of expectant teens and teen mothers. It also benefits those who work very late and early shifts frequently encountered with teen workers, such as fast food jobs. Additionally, Apex Learning curriculum can be accessed

on any internet connection. To understand where the students are coming from, one needs to actually see where they come from. These are some photos of student homes.

PLC Culture

Student homes

PLC – working towards a Culture Shift

The North Georgia area is traditionally a textile manufacturing based economy. For several generations people here could always earn a living working in a carpet mill, which took little education. This region has historically had one of the lowest education rates in the country.

This is a changing economy. The culture will have to change.

Many PLC students have been the first in their family to graduate.

Almost all of the student body are from broken homes.

Typically 20 – 25% of the student population are parents.

PLC Capital Needs

Technology, Technology, Technology!

The PLC is a technology driven approach to instruction and curriculum. Each student uses a computer workstation in each academic classroom.

If the system is down, learning stops. The school stops functioning.

Apex instruction is delivered over the internet. Bandwidth is critical. Every student and teacher workstation is internet connected (130 computers).

Currently internet access is through PLC servers, then county severs, then ISP. If the county sever (located on the other side of the county) goes down, so does the PLC.

NEEDS: Direct internet connection

Upgrade outdated Novell network

Upgrade wiring (or go wireless)

Upgrade switches, routers, file servers

PLC Capital Needs - Furniture

The PLC utilizes an individual workstation for each student using office style furniture.

The computer desks and chairs have been in use since the inception of the school.

With normal wear and tear from years of constant use these desks and chairs are greatly in need of replacing. Some furniture is no longer serviceable – teachers make do with what they can scrape around and find.

PLC Community Relations Needs

The success of the PLC depends on the support of the school system community.

The perception of many in the school system: the PLC is for the bad kids.

The alternative school for chronically disruptive students

– Catoosa Crossroads Academy – was in the Barnhardt Circle building. That program was terminated when the PLC was instituted seven years ago.

An extended suspension program called Gateway is also currently in the PLC building. Many confuse the PLC with Gateway.

No interface between PLC and Gateway students is allowed. They ride different buses, use different entrances and restrooms. Lunch and breakfast are at different times.

Students that are better served by the PLC than the traditional school must be identified and referred by teachers, counselors, and administrators so those students can enjoy the benefits of the PLC.

After seven years the Catoosa Crossroads Academy “bad kids” stigma seems impossible to lose. It even pervades in technology infrastructure– some login extensions for PLC staff are “.cca”

Suggestion – refer to our facility as the Barnhardt Circle campus.

New for the PLC in 2010 – 2011

Students can graduate with 23 credits.

Students can graduate early. When all requirements (including passing the GHSGT) are completed, seniors are finished.

Expanded to accommodate 20 workstations in each classroom.

The Bell Ringing Ceremony is instituted. With seniors completing throughout the school year, a ceremony to recognize their accomplishment is needed. The student body lines the front hall and the new grad walks between them to be applauded and high-fived, then rings a traditional farm bell and signs the bell post.

PLC Culture Shift – Times They Are A Changing’

Enrollment increased to 150 students in 2010-2011

Graduates increased to 76 (58 passed GHSGT)

With the extended instruction day

(8:30 – 5:30), Fridays became optional days. It is for students to make up days missed or tardies. One teacher rotates to teach on Fridays.

Our twice weekly walk around Barnhardt Circle is now once per week. The students love the walk.

Advisory was a weekly time to guide the students on career paths and decision making skills. It is greatly reduced due to time constraints.

The daily morning motivation becomes once per week.

Fun, Service, and Awards at the PLC

Giving Back – Literally!

The PLC: Pennies for Patients Silver Award – again!!

Always Looking Ahead at The Catoosa PLC

Planning for Future SuccessAwards Day – It Pays to Succeed