Do you have a story of success to share?

A member shared this story with MASSP. It has been seen by the Governor, State Superintendent, and the Legislature. Do you have a similar story? Would you please share it with us?
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Jim,

I wanted you to get a little feedback from the “trenches” after year-three of the transition to the Michigan Merit Curriculum and Exam. As you know Croswell-Lexington High School is average. Average size - 800, average family income, and most importantly our students performance … average. I have seen an incredible transformation over the last three years in our students’ success and more importantly their aspirations. Quite frankly the bar was raised and my kids jumped it. Here are just a few antidotal stories to paint a picture of what the MMC has meant to my students.

1. Cody after not doing well on the ACT asked if he could change his senior year schedule to a more rigorous one and targeted his classes. He ran in my office this February with his new score (and a huge smile) … a 17 was now a 24 – he was going to college.
2. Devin – due to family income, had absolutely no college plans as a sophomore but unexpectedly (to her) did well on the ACT and qualified for a TIPS scholarship – she is now on her way to a four year college
3. 4 years ago my Valedictorian’s senior schedule contained two art classes, a PE, and an office aid (not rigorous) – now all four each had at least three Advanced Placement Classes.
4. 4 years ago we canceled a college night due to lack of interest – this year we had over 140 people at it.

Make no mistake – the rigor is tough to handle, and we have had to think outside of the box, but at my school we have embraced it and our kids are in a much better place now. Average today is better then average 3 years ago. Thanks for all you and the MASSP has done along the way to raise the bar – keep it there and fight the good fight!

Theo

PS – I think it worth noting that the national 2009 average ACT score and the Michigan average ACT score (and Cros-Lex’s) were 19 … why is this noteworthy - because Michigan’s 19 is all of our students, while the national score is only kids who want to pay for it and take it – a significantly different pool.

Mr. Theo A. Kerhoulas MEd
Principal
Croswell-Lexington High School
5461 E. Peck Road
Croswell, Michigan, 48422
(810) 679-1502
Proud of our Past .... Pioneering the Future