Answers to Cape graduation rate questions expected at Monday board meeting

Cape Girardeau School Board members will receive answers Monday to questions they recently posed to administrators about the effects an academic and behavioral improvement model has on the district's graduation rate.

Superintendent Jim Welker and assistant superintendent Sherry Copeland told board members at the June 18 meeting of the board they would present data collected thus far on the effectiveness of a professional learning communities model at the high school. Superintendents also said they would attempt to collect data on the effects of a high rate of students transferring in or out of the schools.

High school principal Mike Cowan believes the rate hurts its graduation rate.

The district's four-year graduation rate was 67.5 percent in 2011.

The board will also hear a report on the Juvenile Assessment Center from 32nd Judicial Circuit juvenile officers Randy Rhodes and James Johnson.

A special session of the board at 5 p.m. Monday will provide information on staff training for course management software to be used in the coming school year and an update from a district committee charged with researching methods to expand technology use in classrooms.

The regular meeting starts at 6 p.m. Monday.

Both meetings will be held at the central district offices at 301 N. Clark Ave.

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO