Georgia Career Academies Project III Quarterly Report

Due September 30, 2014

Central Educational Center (CEC) Mission and Goals Just restate your mission and goals from your application – or if they have changed, state that there has been a change then share the revised ones. (These should match the mission and goals in your charter.)

2. Mission and Goals

a. CEC’s Mission: Ensure a viable 21st Century workforce.

b. Goals (The CEC Board has linked charter FY2010 – FY2019 and strategic plan goals.)

Goals 1-2 Meet academic progress indicators (Reading/Lang.Arts/Math/Graduation)

Goal 3 Increase Dual Enrollment

Goal 4 Increase Work-Based Learning Enrollment

Goal 5 Increase number of students who score program ready on COMPASS

Goal 6 Ensure that CEC partners have stated goals to support CEC growth

Goal 7 Grow Physical/Project Co-Locations

Goal 8 Support continued growth of network of CEC’s

Goal 9 90+ % placement rate for TCC grads

Goal 10 Exceed state average GHSGT/EOCT assessment results

Goal 11 90% of CEC work-based learning team members will be ranked “meets

expectations” or “exceeds expectations” on the Employer Survey administered four

times each semester.

Goal 12 Minimize dropout rate in Coweta County School System high schools

Goal 13 Grow Service Delivery

September 30, 2014: Work-Based Learning (WBL) and Dual Enrollment results exceeded goals at June

30, 2014. The newest goal, ranking CEC WBL members on work ethic, exceeded goals.

June 30, 2014: COMPASS program-ready scores exceeded the 171 goal and soared to 212 during the

2013-14 school year.

June 30, 2013: The amended Charter indicates that CEC is to collect “baseline” data for the

implementation of the newly (amended) Goal 5. The COMPASS program-ready baseline for the

2012-13 year is 166. The CEC goal is now to increase that figure by 3% next year to 171.

December 15, 2012: The State Board of Education has approved a charter amendment that

changes Goal 5 to a measurement of students who score program ready on the Technical College

ACT-developed COMPASS entrance exam.

September 30, 2012: The CEC Board and the Coweta County Board of Education have each

approved an amendment to the CEC Charter that would change Goal 5 so that the focus would be

to increase program-ready successful completion of the COMPASS exam. The amendment has

been presented to the State Board of Education with a request that it be approved. We expect

consideration of the amendment during the October and November State Board meetings.

Goals 11 and 12 have been reviewed by the CEC Board in an effort to collect a larger amount data

that covers more CEC students. New Goal 11, listed above, is the result of the Board’s work.

June 30, 2012—For the full year, 2011-12, 96% of employer evaluations rated CEC interns “Meets

or Exceeds Expectations on all measures ranked four times per semester. This exceeds the goal

of 90%.

March 31, 2012---Total number of Work-Based Learning internships/apprenticeships has

increased from 333 in 2010-11 to 376 in 2011-12. 216 employer sites have hosted an intern or

apprenticeship in 2011-12.

December 15, 2011---Mid-year measurement of new Goal 11 indicates that 95.08% of CEC work-

based learning team members were ranked “meets” or “exceeds” on the initial three of four

separate work-ethic surveys of employers during the Fall semester of 2011-12. 158 employers

participated to provide evaluations of 183 team members.

September 30, 2011---First measurement of the new Goal 11 indicates that 94.6% of CEC work-

based learning team members were ranked “meets” or “exceeds” on four separate work-ethic

surveys of employers during either or both the Fall/Spring semester(s) of 2010-11.

Need Unless something has changed, or you have developed additional plans for continuous needs assessment, no comment necessary here. September 30, 2014: The Coweta Samaritan Clinic project is now up-and-running. Following a good start-up, there are plans to add dental hygiene as a “trial” to the services already being provided, with WGTC students providing the services in cooperation with volunteer dentists. Business is increasingly understanding the value of a European-style apprenticeship program, and we expect more requests for this program. June 30, 2014: CEC has been asked to broker and host an agreement that will allow Coweta Samaritan Clinic patients to be treated in the WGTC Dental Assisting Clinic at CEC. Treatment will be provided by volunteer dentists (14 have volunteered to date) who will be assisted by both adult and dual enrolled WGTC dental assisting students. The agreement has been formalized and finalized among CEC, the Coweta Samaritan Clinic, the Coweta County School System and West Georgia Technical College. June 30 will be a first trial for the operation which is scheduled to formally open in late July. CEC has also been asked to move toward formalization of an Apprenticeship approach to work-based learning that more closely approximates systems that might be seen in Germany or Switzerland. CEC is studying that European approach via assistance from the German American Chamber of Commerce South. March 31, 2014: CEC has been asked to help local businesses work directly on solving problems. We are developing a “think tank” approach working with STEM Coordinator for the School District and will begin implementation in the fall of 2014. December 15, 2013: CEC has been asked to help local businesses develop and fill “Safety Internships” within at least five to six major employers. This is a part of the Industry Benchmarking effort that also produced the emphasis on Talent Development. We are getting more and more requests for interns and apprentices.

June 30, 2013: CEC has been asked to help local business collaborate to create greater awareness of ways that our community “develops talent” in the workforce. CEC expects additional emphasis in the area of “Talent Development” that encompasses all the elements of education in the CEC mission. March 30, 2013: CEC has been asked to assist with the development of a Manufacturing TCC. December 15, 2012: GEICC leaders have asked CEC to pilot the TCC dual enrollment program now approved by both the TCSG Board and the State Board of Education. September 30, 2012: Several manufacturers have presented to the CEC Board ideas for a “Manufacturing Certificate.” The CEC Board has assigned consideration of the various proposals to the CEC Board Executive Committee. June 30, 2012---CEC has been asked to explore the need for a “Manufacturing Certificate” and this will be formalized by various manufacturers prior to the CEC Board meeting in August. March 31, 2012---CEC is exploring a “logistics” curriculum at the request of the Coweta County Development Authority. The 8th Grade Steering Committee has developed this video http://www.cowetaschools.net/index.php/component/content/article/204-cec-for-8th-graders that has been shown to all 7th graders in Coweta County schools. December 15, 2011—CEC is leading development of an “8th Grade Steering Committee” to ensure that an implementation plan useful for Fall 2012-13 is developed. September 30, 2011--CEC is currently working on plans to include 8th grade team members (students) beginning in the Fall of 2012. Various business leaders have asked that we reach students beginning at younger ages. The CEC charter (most recent) has incorporated this goal. June 30, 2011--Georgia Energy and Industrial Construction Consortium (GEICC) has asked CEC to help develop a pilot “Energy Career Academy” to help the industry meet its growing workforce needs. Some dual enrollment programs are likely to change as curriculum is revised under Q2S conversion. Partnerships Feel free to brag about any new or strengthened partnerships here. September 30, 2014: See NEED above. Also, see articles attached. Relationships among companies like Grenzebach, and among healthcare/first responders, continue to grow. June 30, 2014: CEC has added Coweta Samaritan Clinic and German American Chamber of Commerce South to its partnerships. (See NEED above.) CEC is also working with several organizations to develop a pilot of a tool that will further support the teaching and evaluation of soft skills, preparation for success on the COMPASS, and the attainment of various CCRPI goals. March 31, 2014: CEC was directly involved in recruiting Niagra Bottling, a target company for Georgia, to locate in Coweta County. We will begin development of specific partnership opportunities as the company begins to construct its manufacturing facility here. December 15, 2013: Grenzebach Corporation has asked CEC to provide more interns in specific skill areas. CEC and NuLink will further connect operations with the completion of the build-out of new studio space created with the help of GCAP grant. September 30, 2013: CEC has signed an agreement and begun providing interns (3 immediately) with/to Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

June 30, 2013: CEC has begun an internship to apprenticeship program with Grenzebach Corporation during this summer. March 30, 2013: CEC has been asked to continue its Patient Navigator Program at Piedmont Newnan Hospital. CEC has been asked to continue and grow the 8th Grade Charter College and Career Academy with Coweta County School System. A local engineering company has bought design software for CEC and asked CEC to begin teaching that software to (up to) 10 team members each summer. CEC has been asked by a community group to develop a “12 for Life” program funded by the community. December 15, 2012: CEC has been asked to begin providing interns to the new Cancer Treatment Centers of America hospital (their Southeastern location) beginning in June of 2013. September 30, 2012: CEC has been asked to consider developing a more German-style apprenticeship program as a function of an increased partnership with Grenzebach Corporation. June 30, 2012---CEC team members have been asked, and have begun, a “Patient Navigator Program” at the new facility recently opened by Piedmont Newnan Hospital. 29 team members are working the program during the months of June and July. March 31, 2012—CEC has strengthened its partnership with NuLink as a direct result of the GCAP grant. NuLink, the local cable provider, has turned production of “The Link” (NuLink’s signature weekly community TV show) over to CEC Broadcast Video team members (students). CEC team members design the set, use new camera and editing capacity, create lighting effects, write the script, instruct the anchors, etc. The Link’s upgrade has gained attention and viewership for NuLink. The Link has been so successful that the Superintendent of the Coweta County School System has created a new “Superintendent’s Show” that will air monthly and is being produced by CEC Broadcast Video team members. Next month, NuLink will connect fiber optic cables that will allow CEC to broadcast live TV from the GCAP-equipped lab. This facility will become one of a handful in Coweta County (County Commission Chambers, City Council Chambers) that can broadcast live TV. Thanks to GCAP for support that makes CEC a “TV station.” December 15, 2011—CEC has partnered with Mercer University to create a Race To The Top grant application that has qualified for consideration. September 30, 2011---CEC has assisted the Coweta County School System to begin “Advanced STEM Internships” in which academically (only) oriented students have secured work-based learning placements conducting (chemistry-related) tasks such as water sampling with local utilities and businesses. The GCAP grant has allowed CEC to make use of donations of materials (sets) from Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) that increasingly become a part of CEC’s new broadcast video lab. NuLink is increasing its engagement with CEC because of the GCAP grant and the donations from GPB. June 30, 2011--Alliant International University (CA) has the largest behavioral science focus on forensics in America. Alliant contracts with campus locations in other nations, with Italian and other police to teach the application of behavioral science to forensics. Alliant asked CEC to help develop the first application of simulation (computer gaming) for use in training forensic investigators. CEC’s dual enrolled students in Computer Gaming have completed the first phase of that project and Alliant is asking the program for additional help. June 30, 2011---CEC has begun meetings with HR, COO and CEO of Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) southeastern regional hospital (groundbreaking August 3, 2011 in Newnan) to develop specific focus on CTCA’s workforce needs.

Two corporations, one regional and one national, are currently approaching CEC to

discuss offering internship and/or mentoring opportunities specifically for diversity

candidates.

Mercer University has begun offering classes at CEC. Mercer is initially offering two degree completion programs. One program will allow degree completion in Early Childhood Education (ECE). One program will allow degree completion in Public Safety. The Mercer opportunity came about because of articulations between West Georgia Tech’s Associate Degree ECE and Mercer, because of our partnership with Piedmont Newnan Hospital (in joint venture with Mercer), and because of articulations between Coweta County Schools’ (CEC) Teacher Pipeline program and Mercer. CEC enrollment for Fall 2010-11 school year is increased approximately 16% over this time last year and has been trending higher during the past several years. CEC enrollment growth exceeds the enrollment growth in our School System. March 31, 2011—Because of our GCAP grant and focus, Piedmont Newnan Hospital and our Business of the Arts program are working together to create and implement “Music in Medicine” as both a hospital program and as a new CEC course. Because of our GCAP grant and focus, NuLink is increasing its commitment to enhance its on-air programming using CEC Broadcast Video interns and new equipment as a workforce. In addition, US Education TV is partnering with CEC and NuLink to implement use of its video-streaming technology as a component of the CEC Broadcast Video curriculum. Budget This is an opportunity to reference where you are in depleting your fund including total spent and what’s been enhanced as a result. If you have any additional budget information that you would like to share, feel free to do so (but please do not use this report to ask for funds.) September 30, 2014: Final electrical installations are being made toward depletion of total grant funding. June 30, 2014: Following the installation of electrical equipment in Broadcast Video Lab, CEC will formally request a reimbursement of much of the remainder of its capital GCAP budget. March 31, 2014: CEC will soon finalize renovations to Broadcast Video studio and so will be ready to submit reimbursements for recent renovations to both Broadcast Video and Business/Technology of the Arts program. September 30, 2013: CEC is completing approximately $25-30,000 of the renovations against the $50,000 budget. June 30, 2013: Based on preliminary approval, Coweta County School System is purchasing materials and will make permanent renovations to Music Technology and Broadcast Video labs and then ask reimbursement for materials (only) from GCAP 3. This will create a sound-proof recording booth in Music Technology and permanent lighting grids in Broadcast Video. March 30, 2013: CEC has secured the assistance of the Coweta County School System to provide labor for renovations. December 15, 2012: CEC has worked with corporate partner NuLink to acquire support so that remaining renovation funds can be used in two lab settings that will now collaboratively house CEC Broadcast Video and NuLink. September 30, 2012: CEC has deployed new technology acquired with supplemental funds provided by NuLink and The Goizueta School of Emory University. CEC will soon develop final plans for the remaining renovation funds set aside for each of Broadcast Video and Business/Technology of the Arts. We understand that those funds may expire by June 30, 2013.

June 30, 2012—CEC continued to supplement the GCCAP grant by seeking additional funds from industry partners. NuLink and CEC each funded the purchase of cameras (2) to supplement the cameras (2) funded by The Goizueta School of Emory University. With 4 of these particular cameras, CEC can now begin transitioning some of its production to the full set of this new technology that provides more automation of the camera processes. March 31, 2012—CEC is installing the last of equipment purchased with GCAP grant and will begin installing renovations to space that utilize bond funds. Equipment had to be placed before renovation could occur around it. December 15, 2011—Because of GCAP, CEC has attracted broadcast video equipment contributions from Georgia Public Broadcasting and from The Goizueta School of Emory University. This allows us to better leverage the GCAP dollars. June 30, 2011—CEC has begun electrical and other infrastructure changes in sound recording studio (Business of the Arts) and in broadcast video lab and will be requesting reimbursement for these expenses. CEC has purchased equipment and is receiving and beginning to deploy that equipment. We are almost at full use of the $100,000 cash portion of this grant. GCCAN and TCSG hosted a GA Career Academy 101 session on CEC on December 7. The session was held in the Broadcast Video lab that is being converted. Those attending had the chance to see some deployment of the new technology purchased with GCAP grant. In addition, equipment has arrived for the new sound recording studio being purchased with GCAP funds. Installers have recommended that we relocate the Business of the Arts program to a more compatible space to accommodate the sound recording technology. We will accomplish that relocation and begin installing the recording studio equipment on February 1, 2011. March 31, 2011—We have accomplished the relocation of the Business of the Arts program and installation of sound recording technology purchased with the GCAP grant will begin soon. Governance & Leadership Is you board up and running? (If so, who are the members?) Have you had any meetings? Please share once a meeting schedule is developed. September 30, 2014: The CEC Board voted to keep the CEC charter separate from any potential charter system petition/contract that might be developed by the school district. June 30, 2014: The CEC Board, and CEO, have been asked to assist the district as it prepares its application to become a Charter System. March 31, 2014: The CEC Board is studying the potential for helping the Samaritan Clinic to offer dental services to patients on a regular basis in the Dental Assisting lab at CEC. December 15, 2013: The CEC Board has supported the pilot effort for College and Career Academy Certification jointly developed by AdvancED (SACS) and TCSG. September 30, 2013: CEC has added a Board member representing parents of Newnan High School who also has a management role with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. June 30, 2013: CEC Board members are leading the business community throughout Coweta County to focus on Talent Development. CEC will make a “keynote” presentation to the business community group about its efforts.

March 30, 2013: CEC used the January Board meeting to include TCSG and other state leaders to discuss the beginning and development of CEC and College and Career Academies. This session was taped for future use in training the CEC Board. New CEC Board members were among the Board members attending. December 15, 2012: The 2013-14 CEC Board has been nominated and approved. The nominating process included the following collaborating partner entities.

1. Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce 2. Coweta County Development Authority 3. Coweta County School System 4. West Georgia Technical College 5. Principals from East Coweta, Newnan and Northgate High Schools 6. Counselors from the middle schools in Coweta County 7. Coweta County School System high school faculty from CEC 8. West Georgia Technical College faculty from CEC

September 30, 2012: The CEC Board has activated the Nominating Committee required in by-laws. That activation prepares the way for CEC Board members to be selected and approved for calendar years 2013 and 2014. June 30, 2012—The CEC Board added a replacement member to represent the Advanced Manufacturing industry. The new CEC Board member is an Electrical Engineer by training and has supported nuclear power production among other work completed. March 31, 2012—The CEC Board has been invited to be among the first “community boards” to tour the south’s first “green” hospital that will soon be opened, near CEC, by Piedmont Healthcare. The Piedmont Newnan facility becomes the first new hospital facility built in 50 years in the community. December 15, 2011—The CEC Board has indicated willingness to assist new College and Career Academy Boards as those are developed. September 30, 2011—The CEC Board is developing a new strand of curriculum in Leadership. The first course, Conflict Resolution, is being developed by an attorney well-known in the practice of “Mediation.” June 30, 2011—Among the new members of CEC’s Board, we have welcomed the first female SVP in Mercer University’s history. Dr. Penny Elkins is a member of Georgia’s Professional Standards Commission (PSC) and is in charge of all statewide enrollment efforts for Mercer. Dr. Elkins is the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce’s specifically designated rep to the CEC Board. Dr. Elkins reports quarterly to the Chamber Board on CEC progress. CEC’s Board meets once per month and at least 6 times per year. The recent practice of the Board has been to meet each month except July. The CEC Board meets the first Thursday evening of each month, with meeting beginning at 6:00 PM, at CEC. We invite the TCSG to participate. The CEC Board includes 9 business leaders, 3 parents, 1 West Georgia Technical College faculty member, 1 high school faculty member, 1 Guidance Counselor, 1 executive from the Coweta County School System, and 1 executive from West Georgia Technical College. CEC’s Board will welcome seven new members to the new 2011-2012 Board. The first Board meeting for the new 2011-2012 Board (seven new members, ten returning members) will be held on the evening of January 6, 2011. March 31, 2011—CEC Board goals are being reviewed and met. Dropout rate is down to 2.2%, dual enrollment earning is up to 92.6% (versus approximately 1/3 who earn college credit in AP courses) and Work-Based Learning enrollment has exceeded goal.

Timelines This one needs to be addressed. Where have been, where are you now, and where are you going? Please also highlight the date upon which you estimate your doors swinging open to students. September 30, 2014: CEC is focusing more on “advanced opportunities” for ALL students. For CEC, this means even greater emphasis on dual enrollment and work-based learning. In order to accomplish this strategy, CEC must continue to reach younger students so that they can have room in their high school careers for dual enrollment and work-based learning. Among other efforts, CEC has almost doubled the size of the 8th Grade College & Career Academy. And, CEC has begun admitting more 9th graders. June 30, 2014: CEC is participating in a statewide effort to further develop opportunities for dual enrollment. Along with its study of “European Apprenticeship,” this is support for CEC’s efforts to continue to rapidly grow dual enrollment and work-based learning. March 31, 2014: CEC is developing greater emphasis on dual enrollment with a new program opening Fall 2014 to support GEICC and the Energy industry. CEC is developing a greater emphasis on work-based learning and is piloting an intern-to-apprentice program at Grenzebach Corporation while also studying closely the German model for apprenticeship. December 15, 2013: New studio space in Broadcast Video should be ready to utilize January 2014 thanks to the GCAP grant. September 30, 2013: The planned renovations in Broadcast Video and Business/Technology of the Arts are nearing completion. Sets have been returned and added to Broadcast Video and TV production has begun in the original Broadcast Video lab. June 30, 2013: School System personnel are working to purchase materials and make renovations during this summer. March 30, 2013: It is likely that School System personnel can complete renovations during the summer. December 15, 2012: Broadcast Video and Business/Technology of the Arts are ready to begin renovations. September 30, 2012: The 8th Grade Charter College and Career Academy is up-and-running with 58 8th graders spending their entire school day at CEC, including time in multiple career tech classes like Forensics, Graphic Arts, Business/Technology of the Arts, Aviation (during the first semester). June 30, 2012—CEC continues to serve 50% of all graduates of the Coweta County School System. March 31, 2012—8th grade open house and enrollment has been set for April 24. CEC expects to have a pilot group of 60 8th graders to add to enrollment in 2012-13. December 15, 2011—8th grade enrollment in 2012-13 will generate 8th and 9th grade enrollment in 2013-14 and that will stretch facility capacity. June 30, 2011—CEC recently completed its 11th year of operation. While enrollment continues to grow, new challenges include facility space and new programs needed. CEC recently finished its 10th year of operation. Our enrollment continues to grow. CEC now serves 51% of Coweta County high school students by the time of their graduation. CEC served 31% of all 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in the Coweta County School System during the past year (2009-10). CEC is now part of planning efforts that include both West Georgia Technical College and the Coweta County School System. The focus of those efforts is additional space to accommodate new and growing programs.

March 31, 2011---CEC is now ingrained as a part of the focus of newly passed ESPLOST for the Coweta County School System. Career & College Focus There may not be anything to say here yet, but do ask that you identify planned programs of study and if you have had discussions regarding dual enrollments, internships,… (as described in the rubrics) this is the place to summarize them. September 30, 2014: There is an increase in ACCEL enrollment this year, and internships will utilize the new WBL legislation to yield more Youth Apprenticeship completers. June 30, 2014: The GEICC Energy pathway (via dual enrollment) will begin this fall. CEC students were among the big winners in the southeast in GRAMMY organization competition. March 31, 2014: Dual enrollment, work-based learning and employer participation have increased this year. Dual Enrollment (unduplicated)

Goal FY14 = 207 Actual FY14 = 232 (+12% over goal)

Work-Based Learning (unduplicated)

Goal FY14 = 381 Actual FY14 = 411 (+8% over goal)

Work-Based Learning Employer Sites (unduplicated)

Goal FY14 = 226 Actual FY 14 = 237 (+5% over goal) December 15, 2013: Local companies are beginning to share evidence of the skills of CEC interns amongst themselves, and internship requests continue to grow. We have recently heard that a CEC intern taught local engineers new skills in 3D design. And, we recently heard that a CEC intern developed a software program to enable a local business to run a new application. The emphasis on design and programming that we began, in response to industry data, several years ago, seems to be paying dividends for team members. September 30, 2013: Discussions to plan dual enrollment programs for 2014-15 are beginning. Preliminary enrollment for 2013-14 appears to show dual enrollment increase from 2012-13. New internship sites are developing as, for example, the new Grenzebach site has two interns/apprentices (rather than one expected) and the Cancer Treatment Centers of America site has three interns (rather than two expected). June 30, 2013: Every dual enrolled student earned college credit (206 students) during 2012-13. March 30, 2013: Dual enrollment increased to 206 team members. Internships increased to 380 team members and 225 employer sites participated. December 15, 2012: The first semester that included ACCEL dual enrollment has been successful. September 30, 2012: Dual enrollment is up significantly. At the current pace, if enrollment is substantially the same in the second semester, dual enrollment should grow more than 50% from last year. Work-based learning is up more than 5% in the first semester. June 20, 2012-- This year, 100% of those dual enrolled (143) earned college credit. March 31, 2012—The Coweta County School System has formally equated dual enrollment with AP (Advanced Placement) courses by adding GPA weighting to dual enrollment. In addition, each high school now has a numerical goal for dual enrollment for 2012-13. That step had never previously been taken.

December 15, 2011—The Coweta County School System is taking steps to focus on growing both dual enrollment and work-based learning. Among those steps, the CEC Board has requested that the Coweta County School System provided added GPA weighing to those students who earn West Georgia Technical College dual enrollment credit. September 30, 2011---West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) and the Coweta County School System (CCSS) have concluded and implemented a new agreement that ensures that dual-enrolled students’ “out-of-pocket” expenses remain the same or less than was the case prior to recent HOPE cuts. June 30, 2011—We await a formal agreement between West Georgia Technical College (WGTC) and the Coweta County School System (CCSS) to share dollars that will make recent HOPE Grant cuts more tenable for dual enrolled students. Once again, WGTC and CCSS will model for the state a tangible way to ensure success in dual enrollment funding. The MOU provided to TCSG contains lists of CEC classes. CEC goals include increases in dual enrollment and internships. Both goals were met in 2009-10. The 2010-11 year is off to a strong start. CEC can already project that its work-based learning enrollment of 2010-11 will exceed that of 2009-10. CEC has helped the Governor’s Office of Workforce Development to focus on ways to improve the percentage of high school seniors who test at the “gold” certificate level on Georgia Work Ready (ACT WorkKeys) assessments. At the end of 2009-10, CEC and two other Georgia Charter Career Academies participated in a study in which “gaps” instruction was provided to seniors who had already been assessed short of gold certificate level. CEC, among the three Career Academies, had the highest percentage of seniors who improved at least one certificate level. 50% of CEC participants, who utilized WIN gaps training and then re-tested, improved their certificate levels from silver to gold within an approximately two-month period following their initial assessments. March 31, 2011—Dual enrollment can grow again once new programs are added to the expanding WGTC Coweta Campus project. As well, we will increase work-based learning enrollment next year with a new effort to improve soft skills among high school students already working. Grade Levels What grades levels are you planning to start and when? September 30, 2014: CEC 8th grade enrollment has grown to 104. June 30, 2014: CEC has now set a goal to grow 8th Grade College and Career Academy enrollment by 100% (to 120) for 2014-15. March 31, 2014: CEC will work to grow 8th Grade Charter College and Career Academy enrollment by 50% in Fall 2014. December 15, 2013: Various stakeholders, including the CEC Board, have expressed interest in increasing the size/investment in the 8th Grade Charter College and Career Academy for 2014-15. September 30, 2013: 62 8th Grade College and Career Academy team members began the year at CEC, up from 53 last year. June 30, 2013: There was even more interest in the 8th Grade Charter College and Career Academy. There were more applicants this year than in Year 1. We may need to expand the program for the 2014-15 year. March 30, 2013: The 8th Grade Charter College and Career Academy will likely remain similar size this upcoming school year (2013-14) and then grow in 2014-15.

December 15, 2012: The first semester of the 8th Grade Charter College and Career Academy has been successful. 56 students (lottery drawing from among 114 applicants) have participated. CEC plans to begin serving 8th graders in Fall 2012. CEC serves grades 9-12 currently, with the large majority of enrollment in grades 10-12. Very few 9th graders can attend CEC since 9th graders are focused on state-mandated high school curriculum at discrete 9th grade campus settings in the Coweta County School System. Enrollment & Student Focus If you have established an enrollment process, please describe. It would be great to have a breakout of student numbers per program. September 30, 2014: CEC is on track to match its record enrollment from last year. June 30, 2014: CEC enrollment has reached new high levels during the most recent three-year period. This coincides with the formal placement of a “grow CEC goal” among the goals established by the Coweta County Board of Education. March 31, 2014: We are working with Coweta County School System to better “map” the unique and individualized pathways that are available to Coweta students through CEC. September 30, 2013: Discussions are underway about adding more 8th and 9th graders for 2014-15. June 30, 2013: CEC unduplicated enrollment for 2012-13 was 1531. Of those, 1002 were either dual enrolled, in formal internship/apprenticeship or in formal job shadowing. December 15, 2012: CEC served 1326 different students in FY 2012. 916 of those were dual enrolled, in formal internship, apprenticeship or in formal job shadowing. CEC’s enrollment process includes an Arena Registration event at each high school shortly before students must decide on their courses for the upcoming year. Since that practice was established three years ago, there has been an approximately 30% increase in the number of unique high school students served per year. Arena Registration events have been established on three Fridays during the first quarter of calendar 2011. March 31, 2011—Arena Registration events have been held and preliminary registration numbers for FY 2012 are beginning to arrive. Student Support It may be too early to have done anything here – but if you already worked on counseling services, mentoring… this is the place to say so! September 30, 2014: WGTC is developing ways to deliver COMPASS testing at all three high schools as well as at CEC during this year. June 30, 2014: CEC is working with the planned Coweta County (Charter) School System to develop a more individualized approach to career pathways so that students may leave high school with more specific skills relevant to business and industry. March 31, 2014: WGTC has committed to develop COMPASS testing capacity at East Coweta High School. This will significantly increase the number of students who have more access to take COMPASS.

December 15, 2013: The CEC STEM Intern program has yielded development of more “mentor” relationships with local companies for CEC team members. September 30, 2013: Counseling services are available to high school students on the original CEC campus and on the expanded CEC campus at the new West Georgia Tech campus location. June 30, 2013: The School System and West Georgia Tech continue to plan to ensure that counseling services can be provided across what will be two campus locations beginning Fall 2013. March 30, 2013: High schools have significantly increased their information to students about dual enrollment…early registration data for 20131-4 suggests that interest continues to grow among students. December 15, 2012: We have supported students by encouraging high schools to set and meet specific numerical goals for dual enrollment. In addition, we have gained the support of the School District to add GPA weighting to all dual enrollment courses just as is the case for AP courses. September 30, 2012: CEC is at the heart of the School District’s effort to grow STEM offerings. CEC was honored to be among six finalists in the 1st Annual Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) STEM Award selection. TCSG was a sponsor of this event and CEC was the only College and Career Academy represented among the six finalists in the high school category. June 30, 2012—CEC is helping Coweta County “map” a “Career Pathway Guidance and Counseling” program. March 31, 2012---The partnership with Omega Psi Phi was successful in the fall semester and a similar program is being offered during this spring semester. December 15, 2011—The partnership with Omega Psi Phi has begun and some 20 high school black male students are receiving special coaching from the professional men of the local Omega Psi Phi. June 30, 2011---CEC is in more conversations with employers to “brand” specific career pathways that are understandable and motivating for students and their parents. We will likely put corporate or industry names on some specific pathways so that students and parents can understand realistic outcomes available for students who choose those particular pathways. CEC resources include both high school Guidance Counseling services and College Enrollment/Student Services support. March 31, 2011---Southwire (regional industry) has invested in WGTC and has asked CEC to work with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to develop and implement a new mentoring program particularly to engage more black male students. Standards & Curriculum Have you started any advisory committees yet? How is your instructional design system working (ADDIE or similar)? September 30, 2014: TKES and LKES and SLO’s and SGA’s are being implemented to comply with state law. Appraisal committees are becoming better aligned with charter/strategic goals, with the strategic plan of the Coweta County School System, with AdvancED SACS standards, all with an eye on the effort to increasingly place dual enrolled students into meaningful internships and apprenticeships. CEC hopes to contribute significantly to WGTC’s Complete College Georgia efforts. June 30, 2014: The Newnan-Coweta Chamber has become a part of the ADDIE process being used to assess how to design/develop/implement the needed Apprenticeship approach to work-based learning.

March 31, 2014: Advisory Committee and business partners have recommended a more focused look at a Mechatronics Curriculum. We traveled to Moultrie Technical College to review the program offered in partnership with Tift County H.S. December 15, 2013: The DOE has suggested that the CEC Business and Technology of the Arts (Music) program should be replicated statewide. This was a rewrite of state curriculum using industry input. June 30, 2013: CEC continues to assist in preparation for the pilot of the AdvancED “Certification.” March 30, 2013: CEC works to prepare to pilot AdvancED “Certification” with a visit now likely in December 2013. During this Certification preparation, we continue to revisit our Advisory Committee structure along with the other means of gathering standards and curriculum feedback. December 15, 2012: CEC will pilot the AdvancED “Certification” program developed for Georgia Charter College and Career Academies. The external review visit should occur in April. September 30, 2012: CEC continues to participate in efforts to use SACS standards as an umbrella to “certify” Georgia College and Career Academies. CEC continues to support other Georgia communities, and other states, who wish to replicate the Georgia College and Career Academy model. June 30, 2012---The Pre-Engineering Advisory Committee will begin greater input in curriculum such as Robotics. Several local manufacturers are increasing their reliance on automation and are even more interested in reviewing the curriculum. March 31, 2012---Because we began to include Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) in Advisory Committee, we were invited to meet with senior execs of CTCA to begin a “CEC plan for CTCA.” CTCA will open its specialized care hospital in August of 2012. December 15, 2011—The recent meeting of the Healthcare Advisory Committee included both high school health sciences faculty and college allied health faculty…along with existing healthcare businesses plus representatives from the new Cancer Treatment Centers of America facility. CTCA is building its fifth American hospital near CEC. June 30, 2011—The CEC Board has asked that we continue to develop more “Evaluation” techniques, the E in ADDIE. So, we have recently begun conversation to model a Georgia State University-designed research protocol as well as work with two professors, one at UNC-Greensboro and one at Wayne State University, to design and develop a new approach to “educational informatics.” The implementation of educational informatics will be analogous to developing ways to look at “patient vital signs” in order to better manage and change CEC. Advisory Committees are formed, do meet, and do provide feedback/critique to both high school and College programs. We are beginning to fold the Work-Based Learning Advisory Committee into the various career-technical programs from which students learn before entering work-based learning. In addition, CEC has been involved in efforts to help Georgia establish a long-term research protocol to evaluate Career Academies. The Academy for Educational Development (AED), at the request of the USDOE’s southeastern US regional research lab at UNC Greensboro, has completed a new study of CEC and various of the replications. The results of the study should soon be released to us and we will share that with TCSG. March 31, 2011—The USDOE sponsored study has been released and a link is attached to the email with this report. Structure You may not have any comment about this yet - unless you have already been doing something to give the academy its “own culture”.

September 30, 2014: Appraisal Committees better structure both high school and college teachers in efforts to increase the use of social media (among other opportunities) to help more understand CEC. June 30, 2014: The hoped-for revisions to the AdvancED/TCSG College and Career Academy Certification process could yield an increased emphasis on CEC involvement with Economic developers…further establishing a culture that reaches even deeper into the organization. March 31, 2014: Recently completed External Review for AdvancED/TCSG College and Career Academy Certification yielded a recommendation that CEC focus on developing a “dashboard” that can collect and display the unique and common data that CEC collects to judge its progress and that of team members. December 15, 2013: As a function of the preparation for SACS Certification visit, faculty asked that the CEO take each faculty member on a “tour” of CEC, like the tour provided to CEC visitors. That has been accomplished and helped deepen understanding of the history of CEC, and of unique and different programs within CEC, per participants. June 30, 2013: The CEC CEO will travel/reside on two campus locations beginning Fall 2013 in order to ensure the academy’s culture can extend both to a campus owned by the School System and to a campus owned by the College. The College will continue to operate programs for adult and high school learners on the original CEC campus and will bring needed new programs to the new full-service campus that will be approximately 2 miles from the original CEC. March 30, 2013: The entire School District may soon begin adapting and adopting “satisfaction surveying” of students that is a critical part of CEC’s culture. December 15, 2012: CEC has been a part of establishing and implementing a new Economic Prosperity Council that links business, government and education efforts in Coweta County. September 30, 2012: The CEC Board has increased its focus on a school structure that would specifically grow “classrooms without walls” especially through strategies such as dual enrollment and work-based learning. Virtual offerings will become a larger part of the structure, it is projected, in the upcoming years. June 30, 2012—CEC work ethic grading will begin this year in programs recently turned over to CEC for management. March 31, 2012—The 8th grade CEC component will have its own unique culture, separate classes, etc. We have begun to brand that as the 8th Grade Charter College and Career Academy. The 8th grade component has its own logo borrowed and adapted from GCCAN. September 30, 2011---The Coweta County School System is comparing the CEC approach to work ethic with new HB 186 (Soft Skills Certification) to determine how a broader work ethic-oriented culture might be included within all schools in the district. June 30, 2011—The new Superintendent of the Coweta County School System has challenged the district’s high schools to more closely participate with CEC in our focus on work ethic. In one effort, the Family and Consumer (FACS) classes at each of the high schools will simulate CEC’s work ethic grade for each student in a FACS class during the FY 2012 school year. CEC has, in recent years, added student surveys of each instructor in high school classes. These surveys mimic the standard practice used in College classes. Work ethic remains a major focus and represents a definite part of the culture. As well, CEC is working to co-locate more business-related entities adjacent to CEC programs. We hope to add to the culture based on the survey result from students that consistently suggests, “CEC is more like a workplace than a school.” In addition, the emphasis on dual enrollment will likely grow based on a new initiative

from the new Coweta County Superintendent of Schools. That growth in emphasis on dual enrollment will add to student perception that, “CEC seems more like a college campus than a high school campus.” March 31, 2011---CEC graphic arts team members recently participated in a logo contest that yielded a new logo for CEC. Attached is a two-slide powerpoint that describes CEC and includes the new logo. Faculty & Staff Describe any work that may have been done regarding job descriptions, professional development plans, and common planning time. Again, it may be too soon to address this. September 20, 2014: Common planning time is being more effectively used to encourage collaboration among high school and college instructors. June 30, 2014: CEC is working with the Coweta County School System and West Georgia Technical College to develop an approach that changes a Construction program to an Electrician program over time. March 31, 2014: CEC will change one of its faculty positions into a specific STEM position and add a “think tank”/research emphasis. December 15, 2013: CEC faculty created a steering committee that developed trainings for teachers on the upcoming SACS Certification visit. September 30, 2013: A specific faculty committee is planning to “train the teachers” regarding the upcoming SACS Certification visit. June 30, 2013: CEC high school and college faculty will need to focus, even more, on opportunities to interact regularly to plan transitions, connect curriculum, work on charter goals, etc. This is due to the fact that CEC will literally operate on two campus locations beginning Fall 2013. March 30, 2013: Faculty have continued to provide actionable feedback in the “Appraisal” Group process. This is used to deliver recommendations to the CEC Board and to the Coweta County Board of Education. December 15, 2012: Both college and high school faculty are now involved in “Appraisal” Groups that meet regularly and offer specific solutions designed to generate measureable gains against CEC charter goals. September 30, 2012: Faculty have become more involved in making recommendations to the CEC Board. One of the recent recommendations has resulted in the approval by the Coweta County School System to grant weighted GPA grading to TCC dual enrolled students. This equates the TCC with AP classes. Those recommending faculty groups are now composed of both high school and technical college faculty working together. June 30, 2012---Faculty were again included in a second round of Emory University research. Faculty representation was roughly equivalent to the percentage representation from other stakeholders (team members, parents, community leaders). Faculty have had a major role in developing weighted credit implementation for dual enrollment. March 31, 2012—Faculty were especially appreciative to be included in Emory University focus groups on March 21 to help develop a process for researching Georgia’s College and Career Academies. September 30, 2011—Faculty have developed a new format School Improvement Plan that incorporates both the CEC charter and strategic plan goals as well as the broader SACS standards required of the entire school district.

June 30, 2011---Each high school faculty member at CEC is now involved on at least one “appraisal team” that seeks to find tangible ways in which faculty can positively impact one or more of the CEC Charter and Strategic Plan Goals. CEC continues to provide common planning time during the middle of each instructional day. In addition, CEC faculty participate in faculty groups who work on improving CEC performance against its Charter and Strategic Plan goals, those goals set by the CEC Board of Directors. The goal is to capture faculty recommendations in a continuous improvement (ADDIE) process. In addition, CEC participates in two separate SACS accreditation processes. These processes focus, among other things, on the capacities of faculty to collaborate and continue to develop professionally. West Georgia Technical College is SACS COC accredited, so College dual enrollment instructors and staff participate in that process. CEC is also a part of the Coweta County School System, one of the State’s first SACS “district accredited” school systems. CEC will be among a select group of sites visited by the national SACS Quality Assurance Review Team as Coweta County seeks re-accreditation during the month of September. That Review Team will interview high school and college faculty and staff at CEC, as well as students in various high school and college programs. March 31, 2011---Coweta County School System has achieved re-accreditation in “district accredited” format through SACS. CEC participated and was a site visited by SACS review team. Evaluation Probably no data to share yet – but please don’t lose sight of our need to extract individual student data in order to prove success, as the GDOE does not yet have a system in place to pull CA student data. September 30, 2014: WBL and dual enrollment have increased in the most recent year….research tells us this will lead to better student outcomes. June 30, 2014: CEC has participated in discussion that, we hope, yields data comparison of CEC results with the results of similar schools nationwide. March 31, 2014: Completion of the External Review for College and Career Academy Certification confirmed that CEC collects non-standard data about student performance that is requested by the local business community. December 15, 2013: CEC has become aware that the Charter Division of DOE will begin creating only two goals in the charters for new start-up charter goals. Those goals will center around CCRPI performance and around “Beating the Odds.” Beating the Odds is an analysis that compares the charter school to similar schools. Beating the Odds is an analysis developed with the help of a university study. June 30, 2013: CEC helped the three high schools in the Coweta County School System to average greater than 80% on the first College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). Coweta County was among 28 school districts (180 districts in Georgia) to have 80% + scores for elementary, middle and high schools. In Broadcast Video, because the GCAP grant has helped CEC change to a “production-oriented” curriculum, two CEC students were awarded high school honors by the Emmy organization. They were the only two students in the southeast so honored for work done in high school that was broadcast on cable TV. March 30, 2013: The most recent Perkins Graduation Rate data, now provided for the 2011-12 school year, shows a graduation rate of 99.13%. September 30, 2012: The SACS Certification pilot visit to CEC should occur in April 2013. June 30, 2012—CEC will pilot the SACS Certification approach along with Rockdale Career Academy.

March 31, 2012---The Emory research project has begun and focus groups (six) met with Dr. Bryan Williams on March 21. In addition, CEC has hosted the visit of Dr. Mike Dishman and his research colleague, Dr. Carrie Davis, as Kennesaw State University begins to more closely study Georgia’s College and Career Academies. September 30, 2011---CEC has volunteered to assist with piloting a new data-collection and research protocol connected to the “Certification Process” that is being established because of the passage of SB 161. June 30, 2011—The new goal 11 (see above) standard was exceeded as nearly 95% of CEC work-based learning team members (students) met or exceeded employer expectations on a survey completed 4 times per semester by the employer. Recent data indicate that CEC high school students meet or exceed Coweta County School District Georgia High School Graduation Test (GHSGT) scores. In addition, Coweta’s scores exceed state averages. Since CEC began, the annualized dropout rate in grades 9-12 in Coweta County has improved from 6.8% (just before CEC opened) to 2.2% (2009-10). March 31, 2011---CEC students are graduating on-time at 94.8% in FY 2010 versus goal of 84.41% (set by state). Cycle of Improvement If you have given any thought to getting feedback from stakeholders, and/or continuous improvement, include your comments here. It may be too soon to respond to this one too. September 30, 2014: We have gathered additional feedback that has led to inclusion of a “CEC growth goal” in the new Coweta County School System strategic plan. June 30, 2014: The AdvancED/TCSG College and Career Academy Certification process can be aligned with the district accreditation process to yield stakeholder feedback that supports both processes simultaneously. March 31, 2014: External Review for College and Career Academy Certification yielded opportunity to collect a new type of survey and focus group information from hundreds of stakeholders. December 15, 2013: CEC has launched AdvancED (SACS) Certification stakeholder surveys. We will be interested to compare results to those gained from a survey of team members (students) conducted each semester for the last several years. September 30, 2013: Recent feedback from stakeholders regarding Broadcast Video (one of the programs impacted by this grant) includes the following.

1. Commitment from NuLink to purchase additional equipment for the program. 2. Two interns (one just graduated from CEC, one still studying at CEC) have been hired at Georgia

Public Broadcasting. To our knowledge, these are the first two interns at GPB who have not studied at the collegiate level prior to the internship.

3. Michael Britt, Broadcast Video Director (instructor) at CEC was nominated, elected and inducted into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast (NATAS is the Emmy Organization) in recognition of his distinguished career accomplishments. (see attachment)

June 30, 2013: Closer and deeper relationships with business is the improvement strategy for CEC as defined by the CEC Board. More internships, more apprenticeships, more dual enrollment, more curricular change as defined by Advisory Committees continue to be some of the outcomes that suggest achievement of those closer and deeper relationships with business. March 30, 2013: We continue to build closer and deeper relationships with local businesses. This has led to changes to curriculum, changes in software and equipment, etc. In the most recent development, a local company donated a working robot to the CEC Robotics program. The robot is a “pick and place” technology

that has been used to pick and place microchips. The message to CEC is that we can continue to quickly change curriculum in the direction of change happening among our business partners. December 15, 2012: CEC has re-designed and standardized the student survey given twice annually to CEC student body. September 30, 2012: CEC’s STEM Award finalist honor and the Advanced STEM internships that CEC has helped to pilot cause CEC to become a more important “resource” for Coweta County high schools. Combined with the new College and Ready Performance Index, and the draft Graduation rule, CEC becomes more than a supplement to the K-12 curriculum. June 30, 2012—CEC was recently named the 2012 Georgia Innovator Award winner by the Southern Growth Policies Board. As a function of that award, CEC is included among other workforce education programs and can locate additional relevant benchmarking opportunities. March 31, 2012—The CEC Board has formally endorsed CEC’s effort to help pilot Certification and Research processes for Georgia College and Career Academies. September 30, 2011—CEC has helped to lead a series of focus groups involving the entire community that has provided feedback to the entire school district including CEC. June 30, 2011---CEC’s Charter and Strategic Plan goals require a continuous improvement plan. The CEC Board continues to monitor progress against each goal. Current progress is included in the attachment to this email. CEC continues to engage business leaders in various formats to collect feedback. In addition, CEC uses feedback data about students from both work-based learning (employer) surveys and from Office of Institutional Effectiveness (West Georgia Technical College-WGTC) employer surveys. In addition, CEC has begun participation in an effort by WGTC to link its multiple Career Academies in a continuous improvement process. CEC would like to offer to be the first Georgia Charter Career Academy to become part of a research protocol being established by Georgia State University (specifically for Georgia Charter Career Academies). And, CEC has asked the new Mercer University Regional Academic Center (located at CEC) to consider a specific research-based review of CEC. March 31, 2011---CEC has continued to assist in efforts to establish Georgia College and Career Academy certification and a research program for the study of these Academies. Charter School Law Please describe your Charter School status – date approved. If not yet approved, when do you expect to have your charter approved? September 30, 2014: CEC is assisting Coweta County School System to consider charter system status. CEC Board has taken the required vote about whether to be included within the system charter. Based on advice from the DOE, CEC Board has decided to maintain its charter separate. June 30, 2014: The CEC Board will soon need to consider whether to keep its own charter separate from the proposed new “Charter System” contract being developed by the Coweta County School System. March 31, 2014: We have begun discussions about potential changes to “Mission” in the charter rewrite that will occur in 2017. June 30, 2013: We now have baseline data, 166 COMPASS program-ready, for the first year of the amended Goal 5. December 15, 2012: CEC’s charter amendment was approved by the State Board of Education.

September 30, 2012: CEC’s charter amendment should be considered by the State Board of Education during the October-November time period. CEC’s third charter was approved for implementation on July 1, 2009 for a ten-year period. The Charter approval evidence has been provided as a part of the documentation related to CEC’s MOU for this project.