What Works' work group moves closer to making its report

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
March 5, 2003
If the "What Works" group's recommendations are followed, students who take advanced-placement classes could be required to take the advanced placement final exam.
Currently students have a choice whether to take the exam that may, depending on their major and choice of college, exempt them from college entry-level courses.
Meridian High School Principal James Bounds said the exam was made voluntary because of the cost of the tests.
The current cost of the advanced placement final exam is $77 per test, which the students pay. Some group members were concerned about students who take multiple advanced placement classes and whether they could afford the expense.
Sylvia Autry, assistant school superintendent, suggested that scholarships be set up for students who cannot afford the tests.
The What Works work group is charged with determining what programs in the city school system are successful. The group will present that information to the school board president, Fred Wile, in mid-March.
A separate group called New Expectations is working to determine what the community should expect from schools. Both groups will report to the school board, which is expected to use the information in its search for a new superintendent.
Ten of the 12 What Works group members were present at a meeting on Tuesday.
Other presentations to the group were made by representatives from the AIM program, Tech Prep, extended year or summer school program, and the Barksdale Institute, which provides grant money for area schools.
The What Works group's next meeting will be Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at the Meridian Public Schools Central Office.