Grades served in year 1: 9-10

Grades served at capacity: 9-12

Enrollment in year 1: 200

Enrollment at capacity: 400

Proposed Location: 7250 East 75^th Street

Opening: Fall 2006

Mission, Need, and Demand for the School

§         The Lawrence Early College High School of Science and Technologies (LECHS) has been developed through a partnership between the Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Lawrence Township and Ivy Tech Community College-Central Indiana.

§         The school's mission is to provide an academically rigorous high school experience that allows students, especially students who might not thrive in a traditional high school setting, to earn college credit and prepares them to complete a college degree and for the workplace.

§         The MSD of Lawrence Township identified a need for the school in early 2005 when the district and Ivy Tech convened a task force to explore options for creating an early college high school.

o       The task force included MSD of Lawrence Township school board members, administrators, principals, teachers, counselors, students, parents, representatives of Ivy Tech and local business leaders.

o       The task force identified the following needs:

·        60 students who entered high school in Lawrence Township did not graduate in 2004.

·        Approximately 200 Lawrence Township graduates per year do not report plans to pursue post-secondary education which greatly diminishes their chances of success in the future.

·        A substantial number of Lawrence Township students (100 or more in the class of 03-04) who graduate and plan to pursue post-secondary education do not complete Core 40 diploma requirements. 

·        Some of these students have not expected to be successful in college and need support and exposure to college to know they can achieve at high levels in post-secondary education.

o       The task force conducted research and site visits to schools and determined that the school should implement the Early College design in order to meet the student needs that were identified during the planning phase.

§         The partnership between Ivy Tech and the MSD of Lawrence Township is strong.  Ivy Tech staff members participated in all aspects of the application process, from developing aspects of the application to participating in the informal interview and the public hearing.   

§         The school plans to develop additional community partnerships.  Possible partners include: Roche Diagnostics, Dow Agrosciences, Community Hospital, the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, IUPUI, Butler University, University of Indianapolis and USA Group.

§         As of May 16, 2006, the school had already received 172 applications for the school.  The goal is 200 students in grades 9 and 10.

Educational Services Provided

§         LECHS will provide a small learning community for students with a maximum enrollment of 400 students.

§         LECHS will adopt the Early College High School Initiative's Core Principles.  These principles include among others:

o       Shared vision of student success among students, parents, staff and community partners.

o       Ability to earn college credit toward an associate or baccalaureate degree

o       Small personalized learning environments

o       Use of technology as a teaching and learning tool

§         LECHS has outlined the following academic goals for students:

o       100% of students will earn a Core 40 diploma.

o       75% of 10^th graders will pass the GQE in fall 2007.

o       100% of students graduating from the school will achieve an associate degree or will continue their education to achieve an associate degree or successful transfer to a 4-year college.

o       100% of students will participate in internships and have mentors from the business community by 2008.

§         LECHS will use inquiry-based instruction that will allow students to: make personal connections with teachers, develop questioning strategies, conduct investigations and report results, collaborate with other students and reflect and transfer learning.

§         The curriculum will be based on the Indiana State Academic Standards for the Core 40 courses.  The application includes descriptions of the primary Core 40 courses that students will take in English, math, social studies and science.

§         All students will be required to demonstrate their progress within the curriculum by completing four "Gateways" prior to graduation.  The Gateways are presentations given by students that provide evidence of the students' progress toward their goals.

o       The four Gateways include (among many other tasks): maintaining a 95% attendance rate, 90 cumulative hours of community service, passing the GQE, investigating colleges, and completing a senior project.

§         LECHS will provide remediation to students as necessary through advisory support, after school tutoring, Saturday support or a summer program.

§         Students will participate in an Early College Camp, an orientation session that will be held at the beginning of the 9^th grade year to familiarize students with the school and its mission, the other students, teachers, administrators, and Ivy Tech.

§         The students will be divided into small advisory groups led by a staff member and will remain in the same advisory for four years.  Students will receive one-on-one support from their advisors.

§         LECHS will also have a Student Advisory Council that will help students develop leadership skills.

§         Ivy Tech administrators and faculty will serve as "e-mentors" for the students.  Each student will be assigned to an Ivy Tech faculty member.  Students will meet with their e-mentors twice a semester and will communicate via email once a week during the first semester of 9^th grade.

§         All students will participate in internships at local businesses and community organizations.

§         Students will also take specific career and technical courses that will form "Pathways" beginning with high school courses and extending to advanced studies at Ivy Tech.  Pathways will be created for engineering, medical careers, computer technology and finance.

§         LECHS will strive to have students earn high school and college credit for courses whenever possible using a system of dual credit.

§         In order for students to enroll in college courses, they must demonstrate proficiency on the COMPASS placement test given by Ivy Tech.  The test will also help administrators determine the college courses that students are ready to take. 

§         All 10^th grade students will take the PSAT.  11^th and 12^th graders will take the SAT or the ACT exam.

            Teachers will have 10 professional development days per year and will have time during the daily and weekly schedule to collaborate with each other and discuss teaching and learning challenges.  All new staff members will participate in an orientation that is designed to create positive relationships and foster an environment of cooperation at LECHS.

Summary of the Founding Group

            The MSD of Lawrence Township through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College is the driving force behind this school.

§         The MSD of Lawrence Township identified a need for the school in early 2005 when the district and Ivy Tech convened a task force to explore options for creating an early college high school.

§         The task force conducted research and site visits to schools and determined that the school should implement the Early College design in order to meet the student needs that were identified during the planning phase.

            As a school district, the MSD of Lawrence Township is unmatched in the resources it can bring to LECHS. 

§         The Board of Directors for LECHS is comprised of two individuals appointed by the MSD of Lawrence Township Board of Education, one individual appointed by the MSD of Lawrence Township superintendent, two individuals appointed by Ivy Tech and two additional members selected by the other five members of the Board.

Governance and Management

§         The school's Board of Directors will oversee LECHS.  The Board adopts policy for the school and monitors the implementation of the policies; adopts the budget and assumes financial responsibility for the school; and hires, supports and evaluates the Director.

§         An advisory board has also been assembled for LECHS.  These 11 individuals have been part of the planning team for the school and will be active in the development and implementation of the school during the first year of operation in particular.  The group will continue to advise the school and the Board as necessary after year 1.

o       The advisory board includes a former MSD of Lawrence Township administrator, 5 current MSD of Lawrence Township administrators, and 5 current administrators at Ivy Tech.  

§         Kay Harmless is the school's Director.  Kay is an experienced educator.  She served concurrently as the Executive Director of the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy at the Indiana Department of Education, the Director of Public Policy at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and Cohort Group Leader for the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals as an adjunct faculty member at Butler University.

§         The Director will be the instructional leader of the school. She will recruit, supervise and evaluate the teachers and ensure that the school is meeting its academic performance goals.

§         The Director will also manage the partnerships with MSD of Lawrence Township and Ivy Tech, including the coordination of services provided by the partners to the school. The Director will be the primary liaison to the Board and will be the financial manager of the school.

§         MSD of Lawrence Township will advise the Board and the Director, will provide services to the school through a joint services arrangement, and will participate in the promotion of the school.

§           Ivy Tech will also advise the Board and the Director as requested on applicable issues.  Ivy Tech is a founding partner of the school and will be involved in the academic and partnership decisions made by the school. 

Financial Viability

§         The Board of Directors will oversee the school's finances and ensure that LECHS is financially viable. 

§         The MSD of Lawrence Township has identified space at the McKenzie Career Center as the facility for the school.  Students in grades 9 and 10 will take all of their classes at the LECHS facility.  Students in grades 11 and 12 take classes at the LECHS facility and at Ivy Tech's Lawrence Campus. 

§         The school will contract with MSD of Lawrence Township for many business services, including financial management, human resources, payroll, bookkeeping, student services and curriculum and instruction as necessary. The school plans to sign a Joint Services Agreement with the MSD of Lawrence Township for support services during the school year.

            The school has received a planning grant from the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis through the Gates Foundation grant for small high schools.  LECHS expects to receive implementation grants amounting to approximately $260,000 once the school opens.

Accessibility

            LECHS has developed a plan for how it will serve students with limited English proficiency and special education needs.  The school will contract with the MSD of Lawrence Township for all of the special services students require and will share the district's special education director.

            The school has also developed a transportation plan that will ensure that transportation is not a barrier for any student to attend the school.  The school will contract with the MSD of Lawrence Township for bus transportation for students.

Leadership Information

*Note: The information provided below is solely a summary of qualifications, and does not reflect a comprehensive description of each founding member's expertise and experience.

Name and Proposed Positions of Applicants

§           Walter Bourke—Authorized Representative and Board Member

§           Cheryl McLaughlin—Board Member

§           Rodney Rich—Board Member

§           Alan Rowland—Board Member

§           Teresa Raich—Board Member

§           Virgil Madden—Board Member

§           Marcia Pierce—Board Member

§           Kay Harmless—School Director

Capacities Represented by Applicants (by topic area)

School Leader Biography

§           Kay Harmless is the school's Director.  Previously, Kay served concurrently as the Executive Director of the Indiana Principal Leadership Academy at the Indiana Department of Education, the Director of Public Policy at the Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and Cohort Group Leader for the Experiential Program for Preparing School Principals as an adjunct faculty member at Butler University.  Kay has also been a teacher, principal and curriculum director in public schools and the Director of the Prime Time program at the Indiana Department of Education.  Kay earned an Ed.D. in school administration from Indiana University, an Ed.S. in school administration and M.S. in elementary education from Butler University and a B.S. in elementary education from Georgia Southern University.  She served on the Mayor's Indianapolis Charter Schools Board from July 2005 to March 2006.

Education

Experience

§           Walter Bourke is the Director of Secondary Education for the MSD of Lawrence Township.  Previously, he served as an assistant superintendent at Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation, as a principal at two middle schools in Decatur Township and as an assistant principal at a high school and a middle school in Decatur Township.  He has also been a science teacher and a science department chair.  At the college level, he has been an adjunct professor at Butler University and Indiana University.

§           Cheryl McLaughlin has been a member of the MSD of Lawrence Township Board of Education since 1994.  She is also a member of the executive committee of the Indiana School Boards Association.  Many years ago she taught third grade in Washington Township.

§           Rodney Rich is Executive Director of K-12 initiatives for Ivy Tech Community College. Previously, he was the superintendent of the Twin Lakes School Corporation for 16 years, and he has also worked as an assistant superintendent and as an elementary teacher and principal.

§           Alan Rowland was the Director of Workforce Certification and senior instructor in the computer information systems department at Ivy Tech Community College.  He is currently a member of the MSD of Lawrence Township Board of Education and the Lawrence Township School Foundation.

§           During her postdoctoral training fellowship, Teresa Raich taught pathology residents and medical technology students.

§           Marcia Pierce served two terms on the MSD of Lawrence Township Board of Commission and has conducted training in diversity and human resources for several entities, including the Indianapolis Police Department Training Academy.

§           Virgil Madden served as the Assistant to the Principal with an Indianapolis Public Schools school for several years.  In this role, he was responsible for all non-instructional aspects of schooling and school discipline, and he co-chaired 16 school committees.  He also has been a substitute teacher with Indianapolis Public Schools.  He is the former president of the North Deanery Board of Education.

Training

§           Walter Bourke has a B.S. and an M.S. in education and an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction and school administration from Indiana University. 

§           Cheryl McLaughlin has B.S. in education from Indiana State University.

§           Rodney Rich has a B.S. and an M.S. in education and an Ed.D. in educational administration.

Other Youth Work

Experience

§           Cheryl McLaughlin is the chairman of the board of the Benjamin Harrison YMCA.

§           Virgil Madden is a mentor at Marian College and Butler University.  He is also an alumni member of the Butler University Board of Directors and is the president of the Butler University Minority Council.

Management

Experience

§           Teresa Raich has held several management positions within health/medical and life sciences companies.  Currently, Teresa is the Group Manager of Medical and Scientific Affairs in the Head Molecular Application Lab at Roche Diagnostics.  In this role, Teresa manages the scientists in the group which provides medical and scientific support to the Molecular Diagnostic Sales, Marketing and Business Development groups.  She also directs the activities of the Molecular Diagnostics Applications Lab.

§           Marcia Pierce has held several management positions with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Public Housing Revitalization Specialist), Indianapolis Public Housing Agency (Deputy Executive Director), and the City of Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development (Assistant Administrator).  In her current role as the Public Housing Revitalization Specialist for HUD, she oversees 23 housing authorities.

§           In various positions with the Marion Superior Court, Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Indiana Supreme Court, and the Municipal Court of Marion County, Virgil Madden has supervised staff, and has served as a liaison to other governmental entities.

Training

§           Marcia Pierce is a certified public housing manager.

Entrepreneurialism

Experience

§           Marcia Pierce has served as a consultant for the Indianapolis Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Department, the Virginia Crime Prevention Association, and RLUA Consultants.

Fundraising

Experience

§           Cheryl McLaughlin has served on the grants committee of the Lawrence Township School Foundation for five years.

§           As the executive director for K-12 initiatives at Ivy Tech Community College, Rodney Rich has coordinated and written several successful grant proposals, including a grant with Lilly Endowment for $12.5 million.

§           In his job as director of workforce certification at Ivy Tech Community College, Alan Rowland has written grant proposals.

§           During her employment with the Indianapolis Public Housing Agency, Marcia Pierce wrote and managed grants in excess of $9 million.  As an assistant administrator with the City's Department of Metropolitan Development, she was responsible for reporting on federal grants in excess of $16.5 million.

§           As Director of the Victim Services Division with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, Virgil Madden has managed several grants and reviewed grant requests for recommendation for funding.  While with Indianapolis Public Schools, he coordinated his school's involvement with the community as the fundraiser.

Marketing / Public Relations

Experience

§           As the business development manager for a technology industry association, Alan Rowland co-directs their marketing strategy.   He is responsible for sales of association membership and represents the association at trade shows. 

§           Teresa Raich has experience with providing support for the marketing of Molecular Diagnostic Sales in her current role as the Group Manager of Medical and Scientific Affairs in the Head Molecular Application Lab at Roche Diagnostics.  Previously, Teresa also supported the marketing and sales groups at Motorola Life Sciences as the Manager of Scientific Applications for the company.

§           Marcia Pierce served as the Public Information Officer for the Indianapolis Public Housing Agency.

§           Virgil Madden was the media liaison for the Partners in Education program with Indianapolis Public Schools.  In this capacity, he managed a media center and was the community liaison coordinator.

Legal Expertise

Experience

§           Virgil Madden is currently the Chief Bailiff for the Marion Superior Court.  He has also served as Executive Assistant with the Court, and has worked as the Executive Assistant for the Indiana Supreme Court.

Management of Public Funds

Experience

§           Marcia Pierce was responsible for $16.5 million in federal grants as an assistant administrator with the City's Department of Metropolitan Development.  She managed grants in excess of $9 million at the Indianapolis Public Housing Agency. 

§           Virgil Madden managed the Victims of Crime Act fund, the Violence Against Women fund and the Indiana Rural Grant while with the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.  He has also managed the budget for the Marion Superior Court and the Indiana Supreme Court.

Nonprofit Governance

Experience

§           Cheryl McLaughlin is a member of the board of the Lawrence Township School Foundation, the Benjamin Harrison YMCA (where she currently serves as president) and the University of San Diego Parent Advisory Board.

§           Rodney Rich serves on the board of The Children's Museum of Indianapolis.

§           Alan Rowland serves on the board of the Castlebridge Homeowner's Association and the Lawrence Township School Foundation.

§           Virgil Madden is an alumni member of the Board of Directors for Butler University and is president of the Minority Council at Butler.  He is also president of the Advisory Board for the Judiciary Board at Butler.  He is a former board member of Habitat for Humanity of Indianapolis and former treasurer of the St. Vincent De Paul Society.