SCHOOLS' A+ EFFORT MOVES ON SCHEDULE

Cape Girardeau public schools A+ school coordinator Jerry Witvoet is waiting for April 29.

He has been waiting three years to see the work and planning pay off in a certification that will designate Cape Girardeau schools as A+ and provide post-secondary education funds to a few Central seniors as well.

"A team will evaluate and approve what we have done for the past three years," said Witvoet. "To be designated as an A+ school system we must achieve not only the goals set by the state, but also the goals we have set for ourselves."

The Outstanding Schools Act of 1993 established the A+ School Program to improve the educational experiences of students in Missouri's high schools. In order for schools to obtain the designation of A+ they must set certain goals. They must set goals to graduate all students from high school and send them on to post-secondary education or into a high-wage job.

"After we are designated as an A+ school, those senior students who have completed eligibility requirements may apply for a scholarship or a student incentive grant from the state," he said. Witvoet said after going to every senior class, PTA meetings, parent meetings, and sending out brochures about the program, nine Central High School seniors applied. Those students are now completing the eligibility requirements to qualify for the scholarships.

Students who do qualify will have the opportunity to earn free tuition, books and fees to a Missouri public community college or vocational or technical school. To be eligible students must be certified by graduation after completing the following criteria:

-- Sign an A+ schools agreement.

-- Enroll in and attend Central High School for the three years prior to graduation.

-- Maintain at least a C+ average.

-- Perform 50 hours of unpaid tutoring/mentoring with younger students.

-- Maintain a record of good citizenship and avoidance of the unlawful use of drugs.

-- Make a good-faith effort to first secure all available federal post-secondary student financial assistance funds that do not require repayment.

-- Maintain a cumulative 95 percent attendance record.

Wivoet said that although the students have a set of criteria to meet they are given some flexibility and consideration for special circumstances. "Students may do their tutoring or mentoring in an area that they are interested in," he said. "At this time we have a senior who is interested in building construction and is tutoring younger students in a beginning woodworking class." He said, for example, students who may not meet the 95 percent attendance requirement because of illness will be judged on their particular situation.

Once a student completes all the A+ Schools Program requirements a certification is awarded. Wivoet said Central's A+ student certifications will be awarded during the schools awards ceremony in mid-May.

"The students will then have four years to use their certificates," he said. "When the student decides on a post-secondary program, and is accepted, that is when the scholarship will kick in." He said students are not given checks and the incentive grants can only be used at two-year junior college programs or vocational or technical schools.

At this time the A+ Schools Program scholarship funds have no limit, but Witvoet said this is only the first year for the certifications to be awarded. He said in the future there may be a limit to the students who may apply. "There could be restrictions in the future depending on the level of funding for the program, " Witvoet said.