1st meeting of P-16 Council sets stage for 3-star certification
In December, Austin Peay State University hosted the inaugural meeting of the APSU/Mid-Cumberland P-16 Council, which was recognized officially by the Tennessee Board of Regents Oct. 20, 2006.The APSU/Mid-Cumberland P-16 Council was established to improve the educational level of the regionespecially math and science educationthrough cooperative efforts of local school systems, local communities and APSU.
The regional council includes directors of K-12 schools and community members from Montgomery, Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties. In December, Austin Peay State University hosted the inaugural meeting of the APSU/Mid-Cumberland P-16 Council, which was recognized officially by the Tennessee Board of Regents Oct. 20, 2006.
The APSU/Mid-Cumberland P-16 Council was established to improve the educational level of the regionespecially math and science educationthrough cooperative efforts of local school systems, local communities and APSU.
The regional council includes directors of K-12 schools and community members from Montgomery, Cheatham, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys and Stewart counties.
They are:
Lynn Seifert, director of schools, Cheatham County;
Rickey Thomas, Nissan, Cheatham County, co-chair for business and community
Charles Daniel, director of schools, Dickson County;
Brooks Duke, secondary supervisor, Dickson County School System;
Donald Richardson, president, Bank of Dickson;
Cathy Harvey, director of schools, Houston County;
Bryon Cleghern, Cleghern's Grocery, Houston County;
Jimmy Long, director of schools, Humphreys County;
Michael Harris, director of schools, Montgomery County;
Dr. B. J. Worthington, chief academic officer, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System
Sallie Armstrong, director of curriculum and instruction, Clarksville-Montgomery County School System;
Ron Smithfield, Smithfield Manufacturing Inc., Montgomery County;
Dr. Philip Wallace, director of schools, Stewart County; co-chair for K-12;
Kenny Collins, Discount Home and Auto, Stewart County;
Don Boyd, director, Tennessee Mid-Cumberland Field Service Center, Nashville;
Carol Clark, executive assistant to the APSU president; and
Dr. Sherry Hoppe, president, APSU.
In an earlier meeting with APSU administrators, the directors of schools identified math and science education as a common challenge faced by all of the school systems.
At the December meeting, Dr. Harriett McQueen, APSU dean of enrollment management and academic support, gave an update on student readiness for college-level math and English.
Following her report, the Council addressed the supply of and demand for math and science teachers in the region. After presentations by Dr. Philip Wallace, Council co-chair, and Dr. Carlette Hardin, professor of education and interim dean of the APSU School of Education, the Council began preliminary work on a plan of action to help alleviate the problem.
For more information, contact Carol Clark by telephone at (931) 221-7570 or e-mail at clarkc@apsu.edu. -- Dennie B. Burke