Edison Collegiate High School [ECHS] Update
Sep 18, 2008
Edison Collegiate High School ECHS Update
By Dr. Patricia C. Land, Charlotte Campus President
We are pleased to advise you that the review process for Edison State College’s charter school application is progressing. A special school board meeting and public hearing is planned for October 7, to result in a decision concerning issuance of a charter. CCPS will announce the meeting time. In the meantime, Edison State College and CCPS staff are working together to assure all issues are adequately addressed prior to the final vote.
The next step in the process after the charter is granted is to negotiate a detailed contract between Edison State College and CCPS to manage school operations. The contract provides a specific plan to manage reporting, testing and other State requirements for public schools. A very exciting move is that the school principal’s position is now advertised on the College’s website, and a search committee looks forward to reviewing applications by the end of the month.
The ECHS charter application states that the purpose of ECHS is to provide a quality academic experience for high school students seeking the challenge of high academic standards, rigorous curricula, and college-level study at a small innovative high school. The four-year curriculum will provide the opportunity for students to complete a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously. Two programs of study will be offered: the Collegiate Program and the Pre-Collegiate Program. Students qualifying for the Collegiate Program would provide test scores and other evidence indicating they are prepared to succeed in college level work. The Pre-Collegiate Program is designed to serve students who have not yet demonstrated college readiness standards.
The application envisions admitting a class of 100 students per year for four consecutive years, beginning with students eligible for admission to grade nine in Fall 2009-2010. It is anticipated that each succeeding year, ECHS would admit an additional class of 100 9th grade students, and cap enrollment at 400 students, distributed among grades 9 through 12. Should the charter be granted, ECHS will begin accepting applications in early January 2009 for its first 9th grade class.
If you would like to read details regarding the plan, a copy of the ECHS charter application may be accessed at http://www.edison.edu/echs/echs_application.pdf. A supplement with job descriptions for staffing the high school after approval can be accessed via the College’s website at http://www.edison.edu/echs/echs_hr_supplement.pdf.
You also may be interested in the latest statistics concerning Florida Charter Schools, provided by the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, Florida Department of Education. Through law enacted in 1996, charter schools are public schools of choice designed to increase parental options and provide innovative learning opportunities for students. They are authorized by sponsors, often local school districts, and face market pressure to perform in an exceptional manner.
By Statute, charter schools must fulfill the following purposes:
· Improve student learning and academic achievement.
· Increase learning opportunities for all students, with special emphasis on low-performing students and reading.
· Encourage the use of innovative learning methods.
· Require the measurement of learning outcomes.
Innovations in learning opportunities for students and teachers are encouraged.
From five schools in 1996-1997, the number of Florida charter schools has grown to 358 in 2007-08. Florida ranks third in the nation in charter school enrollment, with over 104,000 students enrolled last school year. In 2007-08, 41 school districts and one state university sponsored charter schools. Student demographics are as follows:
· 50% are elementary students
· 40% are white, 23% African-American, 31% Hispanic and 6% other ethnicities
· 15% are students with disabilities
· 38% are eligible for free and/or reduced-price lunch
I extend a heartfelt thank you to members of the ECHS Task Force for their dedicated efforts toward establishing Edison State College’s first collegiate high school.
ECHS Task Force
Dr. Patricia Land, Charlotte Campus President, Chair
Dr. Steve Atkins, Vice President, Academic and Student Services
Barbara Bowden, Staff Assistant, Charlotte Campus
Pam Fairfax, District Director, Human Resources
Christy Gilfert, Director of Student Services, Charlotte Campus
June Hollingshead, Institutional Advancement Specialist
Maureen McClintock, Vice President, Planning and Accreditation
Jyoti Naik Facility Planner and Code Administrator
Steve Nice, District Director, Facilities Planning and Management
Rick Parfitt, Public Safety and Security Manager
Dr. Tom Rath, Dean of Academic Services, Charlotte Campus
Terri Riley, Administrative Assistant to the Charlotte Campus President
Guillermo Polanco, Assistant Director, Finance and Accounting
Mark Trask, District Director, Technology Services
Last Updated: September 18, 2008
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