“font-family: Verdana;”>Preliminary data released by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) reveals a dramatic increase in proficiency in Communication Arts and Math by students at the Construction Careers Center (CCC) during the last school year, ultimately outpacing the statewide average and above the average for St. Louis Public Schools.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Students from the CCC scored 61.1% proficient in Communication Arts and 56.1% proficient in Math while the statewide average was 54.6% and 54.2% respectively. The Construction Careers Center tied for the top proficiency rating in Math amongst local charter schools.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The Construction Careers Center just completed the first year of a three-year Federal School Improvement Grant focused on improving student academic performance. The grant provided needed resources to employ to full time Instructional Coaches, a Student Success Counselor and a Turnaround Officer.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”> “This improvement in test scores is attributable to the changes made under the School Improvement Grant including the use of instructional coaches and our partnership with Teach for America,” says Len Toenjes, President of the AGC of St. Louis, which operates the Construction Careers Center. “We are thrilled with the results and believe that our students and their parents will be as well.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In May, DESE renewed the charter for the Construction Careers Center for a period of five years. The CCC’s goals for the 2011-1 school year include improving student attendance and engagement, changing the school culture to include high expectations of all students and improving the construction department.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;” lang=”X-NONE” xml:lang= “X-NONE”>The Associated General Contractors of St. Louis represents over 400 commercial, industrial, heavy and highway contractors, industry partners and related firms in St. Louis City and County as well as the metropolitan counties of St. Charles, Franklin, Lincoln, Jefferson and Warren and 16 additional counties along the eastern Missouri border.
