By Rabyn Ratliff
The Valdosta Daily Times
May 08, 2008 01:04 am
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VALDOSTA — Community parents are invited to attend an information session on the Valdosta Early College Academy (VECA), a new education initiative to inspire young students toward graduation and post-secondary learning. The first information session will be held today from 6-8 p.m., at First Antioch Baptist Church, with additional info sessions following throughout the month.
Developed through a partnership of the Valdosta City School System and Valdosta State University, the Early College Initiative first began in the state of Georgia six years ago through a joint sponsorship of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Robert Woodruff Foundation. The program was established in an effort to redirect low-performing students toward higher academic achievement and on to post-secondary education through on-campus learning at university/college institutions. Additionally, EC schools are designed so that students earn both a high school diploma and up to 60 semester hours of college credit by the end of 12th grade.
Since getting its start, the program has proven successful having a 90 percent high school attendance rate among its students and an 89 percent high school graduation rate. Within the six EC schools operating in Georgia at the close of last year’s school term, 90 percent of EC students also earned college credit while enrolled in the program.
Looking to the excellent track record of the EC program and the academic success among its nearly 600 students, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents announced intentions to sponsor the establishment of a fourth cohort of Early College Programs in Georgia early last year. Just a few months ago, Valdosta was selected as one of the new sites, with the local EC program scheduled to open in 2008.
During the April work session/public forum, the Valdosta Board of Education voted to name the EC program, which will be housed at the S.L. Mason facility. The board also voted to select Ingrid Hall as principal of Valdosta Early College Academy, who currently serves as an assistant principal at Valdosta High School.
VECA will open this fall to serve 36 sixth graders during its first year. As it is implemented, the program will maintain a strong academic focus while fostering an expectation that all students enrolled will attend college. Admission into VECA will be contingent upon student nominations (from current teachers and principals), and based upon the student meeting several criteria requirements, including standardized test results and attendance.
Once enrolled in the program, VECA students will take on a rigorous, technology-integrated curriculum to include language arts, math, science, social studies, and connection classes. Additionally, the program looks to build character among the students as they complete community service projects outside of the classroom throughout the year. Students will receive a full range of academic support by VSU faculty, students, and academy teachers.
While operating separately from both system middle schools, students will have an opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities associated with their district schools.
As VECA prepares to open for the 2008-09 school term, parents are encouraged to attend one of several public forums sharing information about the program.
For more information, parents of upcoming sixth grade students are encouraged to contact the counselor of their child’s elementary school, or Ingrid Hall, VECA principal, at 229–671–8455, and by e-mail at, ihall@gocats.org. Additional information on the VECA program can be found at www.gocats.org.
VECA Community Information Sessions:
Today
First Antioch Baptist Church
(Recreation Center on corner of Oak & Magnolia )
517 N. Oak Street, Valdosta
6-8 p.m.
Saturday, May 10
McMullen Southside Library
527 Griffin Avenue, Valdosta
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thursday, May 15
Mildred Hunter Recreation Center
509 S. Fry Street
6-8 p.m.
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