MCPS: Better tracking tames dropout report

By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian

The number of high school dropouts in the Missoula County Public Schools district fell by nearly 40 percent last year, a steep decline that Superintendent Alex Apostle attributes in part to the district's new Graduation Matters initiative.

"It's our teachers and counselors and the community working together to make graduation a priority," Apostle said.

Others in the district agree, but at least one other factor - better tracking of missing students - makes the story more complex. Read more...

ROTARY TO SPEARHEAD STAY IN SCHOOL CAMPAIGN

Editor: Douglas Klein

The drop-out rate for Missoula schools is approximately 20%. This includes all grades within the district.

Rotarian Dr. Alex Apostle, Superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools, in cooperation with The Rotary World of Service committee, chaired by Dolores Bandow and President Dan Smith, is working to change this figure. The Rotary Club of Missoula has agreed to act as the facilitator in bringing together virtually everyone including business leaders, city and county departments and elected officials, schools, health department, nonprofit organizations, parent advocates and churches in a campaign to keep kids in school. Read more...

By supporting children, you’re investing in their future

Guest Column: Missoula’s Jim Caron is director of “Grease” at the MCT Community Theatre and CEO of the Missoula Children’s Theatre.

Late last fall, as I was directing “The Sunshine Boys” with several seasoned actors who share my passion for directing, I mentioned to them the game plan for my next production, “Grease,” with a cast of 50 or so teenagers. These journeyman theatre types, who are also my friends, and several of whom have teenage kids of their own, responded with a warm and supportive “Are you nuts?” Read more...

Vision for Missoula Schools

To offer some guidance, Craig Barrett, former president of Intel and co-chair of ACHIEVE, began his presentation to the Missoula Education Summit with a definition of the elements essential for a good school system: Excellent teachers, high expectations and a healthy amount of tension in the system. Read more...

Funding flagging: Missoula Flagship program plans fundraiser to avoid summer hiatus

Like a lot of grant-funded nonprofit groups, Missoula's Flagship program is suffering financially.

Flagship, part of the Western Montana Mental Health Center and active in 11 schools in Missoula County, is a community-school partnership that provides social, academic and cultural opportunities for schoolchildren, all free of cost. Read more...

Program to improve graduation rates launches in Missoula

A communitywide effort to improve the high school graduation rate kicked off Tuesday with a pointed message from Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Alex Apostle:

"Goal No. 1 is that all students will graduate," he said. "That is a huge goal. A constancy of purpose will ensure this happens. Read more...

Graduation Matters Missoula" campaign kicks off  

Missoula County educators have officially launched a effort to encourage students to stay in school through graduation. Read more...

Missoula City Council

On the celebratory front, the ducks seemed to be dancing in line. Supporters of Graduation Matters Missoula descended on the council with T-shirts after hearing Mayor John Engen read a proclamation about why it's important for kids to stay in school. Naturally, he added a quip. Read more...

Unlocking the mind: Missoula Writing Collaborative seeks funds to help student program

The poet, looking very much the stereotype, steps to the front of the class of fourth-graders.

"Good morning, my poets!" says Robert E. Lee, his bushy beard capped by his poet beret, a dashing red-and-black scarf wrapped over the lapels of his blazer. Read more..

Graduation Matters Missoula' Campaign launches Tuesday, Jan.19

A news conference and rally on Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. will formally launch “Graduation Matters Missoula,” a community-wide effort to improve the high-school graduation rate. Read more...

Proclamation by Mayor Engen

Graduation Matters Missoula Day January 19 Read more...

Graduation Matters Missoula Initiative

Today, Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent, Alex Apostle unveiled his plan to keep students in school.

Graduation Matters Missoula is a lasting, community-wide campaign to encourage students to stay in school through graduation. Read more...

MCPS: Plan in works to keep Missoula kids in school

When Alex Apostle was a boy, his immigrant mother constantly reminded him of one thing.

“Alex, you’re going to college,” she said over and over, in the face of the darkest doubts. “Work hard, because you’re going to college.” Read more...

Dropout plan needs wide support

Missoula can do much to lower the local public school dropout rate – but first, we all have to agree that the dropout rate is a problem that needs to be addressed. Read more...

Obama Tells Students: Take Responsibility

The President Gave Advice to Schoolchildren Today, In Spite of Conservative Protests Read more...