Closing
THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP
T
he gap is closing at every point along the cradle-tocareer spectrum for black and South St. Petersburg students.
Apart from the ambition of students and parents, there are hundreds of educators, philanthropists, and community volunteers whose work is contributing to the gains.
Here are just a few of the people on the frontlines of progress. Early childhood impact
(in second photo above); Jackie Lang, Director, Imagination Station, averaging 91% “school ready” students over two years; and R’Club Early Learning Academies in two South St. Petersburg locations, now expanding to train home-based childcare providers in the area to raise their results as well. These and other high-achieving educators contributed to a 26% increase in students entering school “ready” in South St. Petersburg schools, from 2010 to 2013. State records show that the following centers improved their Kindergarten readiness rates in 2012 and 2013 (the most recent data from the Florida Office of Early Learning): • Public School Based: Perkins, Sanderlin, Jamerson, Campbell Park, Maximo, and Lakewood elementary schools.
• Community-Based: Infinite Potential Learning Center, Mt Zion Children’s Center, St. Petersburg Pediatrics Day School, Angels at Play Learning Center, Sherri’s Cozy Corner Learning Center; Starling School; Precious Angels Preschool; McMannis Preschool; and Immaculate Conception. • Centers with 100% Rate: Infinite Potential; Sherri’s Cozy Corner; Angels at Play; Lakewood; and Jamerson. Three quarters (75%) of Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten programs in South St. Petersburg improved their students’ school readiness test score over the past two years measured. Among those leading the charge are Tawanna Monroe, owner of Infinite Potential Learning Center, where 100% of students tested “school ready” for the last two years measured (top photo above); Arthurene Williams owner of Kidz World, where 96% of students tested “school ready” most recently
vision for transforming schools.
Long before they entered the scene though, hundreds of people and organizations had poured themselves into improving black student results over the years – with strong results. • Some of their results: Yvonne Clayton’s Christian school alumni had a 100% high school graduation rate through 2012; Academy Prep Center alumni have an 88% graduation rate; the Quantum Opportunities Program, 100% graduation rate; Professional Opportunities for Students Program, 99% graduation rate; the Pinellas Education Foundation Take Stock in Children program, 93% graduation rate for struggling students; and Boca Ciega High – led by Principal Michael Vigue, 89% black student graduation rate in 2015.
The District & Superintendent, Dr. Michael Grego
He took it on the chin as the Tampa Bay Times surgically excavated some of the roots of black student results in South St. Petersburg. In the wake, Dr. Grego has shown true grit and leadership in guiding us toward a new era in closing the achievement gap.
• Centers with 90-99% Rate: Alegria Montessori; Sanderlin; McMannis Preschool; St. Petersburg Pediatrics.
K-12 Education The most recent and resounding wave of systemic change in South St. Petersburg schools is owed to both the Tampa Bay Times (for publishing the months-long Failure Factories series about the plight of black students at five elementary schools) and to the educational experts who pressed over the past year to bring fresh, comprehensive thinking to a
Even before the bombshell Failure Factories coverage, Grego had already put the pedal to the metal in lifting the black student graduation rate. From 2012 to 2015, the county’s black student graduation rate rose by an average 4.4 points per year (compared to a slip of -1 point the year before Grego was installed). Power Broker magazine | 73