Pike-Lincoln Tech Students Show Improvement

Results from an assessment administered last winter to most senior students at Pike-Lincoln Technical Center (PLTC) were recently released. Significant improvements in academic performance were shown.

Pike-Lincoln Tech Center in Eolia has been a member of the High Schools That Work (HSTW) network of schools since July 2004. HSTW is a research-based, national, school improvement initiative. Over 1,200 schools in 32 states are part of this network which use the framework of HSTW Goals and Key Practices to raise student achievement. In Missouri, there are 30 schools in the HSTW network of which 5 are career/tech centers like Pike-Lincoln Tech.

The HSTW assessment includes sections measuring students’ knowledge in reading, math, and science. The results of Pike-Lincoln’s 2006 HSTW assessment showed significant improvement in all 3 academic areas over PLTC’s 2005 results. In addition, the average score of PLTC students in math and science met or exceeded that of all career/technical students in the HSTW network at schools with similar socio-economic factors and the HSTW goal. (see table 1)

Other highlights of the 2006 HSTW assessment results showed a dramatic increase in the percentage of Pike-Lincoln students who scored above the HSTW goal (see table 2) and a dramatic reduction in the percentage of PLTC students scoring below basic in the three academic areas (basic equals having knowledge appropriate for their grade level). (see table 3)

These exciting results show the improvement related to Pike-Lincoln Tech Center’s implementation of strategies aligned with the HSTW 10 Key Practices. For instance, in 2004 the PLTC instructors began implementing Y.E.S. (Your Essential Skills) time in their classrooms. During this 15-minute period each day, students focus on reading, writing, or math. In 2005, all Pike-Lincoln students began participating in an integrated math curriculum which acts as a refresher course in math for many. In addition, new teaching strategies have been implemented at Pike-Lincoln to keep students more engaged and actively learning. Beginning this year, a Technical Communications course is being offered to PLTC students.

Students, who complete the rigorous HSTW –recommended academic core curriculum in high school and meet/exceed the performance goals on the HSTW assessment, are honored with an Award of Educational Achievement. In 2006, Thomas “Buddy” Bowles from Clopton High School was so honored. Buddy is continuing his education this fall in computer and networking, which he studied at Pike-Lincoln, at Linn State Technical College.

Krista Flowers, Former Director of Pike-Lincoln Tech, says, “Some may ask ‘why the emphasis on academics at a career/tech center?’. Research shows that although employers are still interested in hiring individuals who have received occupationally specific training, they also want individuals with a solid grounding in basic academic skills such as reading, writing, math as well as other life skills incorporated into the curriculums at Pike-Lincoln Tech Center.”

For more information or to learn about classes available at Pike-Lincoln Technical Center in Eolia, call 573-485-2900, visit online at www.pltc.k12.mo.us, or email info@pltc.k12.mo.us.

Table 1.

Subject	PLTC 2006 Average Score	PLTC 2005 Average Score	All HSTW 2006 Career/Tech Average	HSTW 2006 Goal
Reading	275	266	277	279
Math	299	292	299	297
Science	301	283	292	299

Table 2.

Subject	%PLTC 2006 Above HSTW Goal	% PLTC 2005 Above HSTW Goal	% All HSTW 2006 C/T Above HSTW Goal
Reading	51%	37%	53%
Math	68%	54%	60%
Science	58%	35%	47%

Table 3.

Subject	% of PLTC 2006 students scoring at Below Basic	% of PLTC 2005 students scoring at Below Basic
Reading	18%	46%
Math	32%	46%
Science	42%	65%

For more information or to speak to someone about this, please contact Krista Flowers, Director at Pike-Lincoln Technical Center or Walter Logan, HSTW Site Coordinator at PLTC. Both may be reached at 573-485-2900 or email Krista at flowersk@pltc.k12.mo.us .