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Next Generation Leadership Academy
David Lee, principal of Jenkins Independent School was disappointed that the agreement
with the neighboring school district did not work as it had in the past. He and his teachers
brainstormed about other opportunities for their vocational and technical students. As
they committed to creating a new opportunity for their students, it occurred to them that
since they had not limited themselves to school district boundaries—why limit themselves
to staying within state boundaries? The results of this outside the box thinking resulted in
an agreement with Wise County School District in Virginia. An agreement has been reached
that allows Jenkins Independent students to enroll in both districts to give them access to a
vocational and technical education. Enrollment for vocational and technical school students
has increased, and students are excited about this opportunity.
The dual enrollment opportunity with Wise County School District encouraged educators
in the district to consider dual enrollment more broadly. They reflected on how they might
better prepare their students for life outside of Jenkins Independent. The result of this
reflection resulted in a dual enrollment program with the University of Pikeville.
In the fall of 2014 59% of Jenkins Independent School District’s juniors and seniors will be
involved in one of these college and career readiness programs. These successes have
encouraged research into and development of initiatives involving project based learning and
standards based grading in the coming year.
RECORD OF SUCCESS:
•
1 to 1 iPads were implemented at the 6th grade level for the past two years.
•
A 21st Century Learning Program and the Family Resource Center provide excellent
support services to families that help reduce barriers to learning.
•
Time for mentoring, tutoring and working with students that need additional time for
mastery is built into the day and into after school programs.
III.
HARDIN COUNTY SCHOOLS: HELPING CHILDREN SUCCEED; EARLY COLLEGE
AND CAREER CENTER IN A LARGE, SUBURBAN DISTRICT. The educators, students,
and community leaders of Hardin County, Kentucky have a common vision to create an
environment for learning that allows students to prepare well for work or college after
graduation from Hardin County Schools. During the 2012-13 school year, Superintendent