Sticking to the Magnet

Some of you may remember a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University released a year ago labeling roughly 1,700 regular and vocational high schools nationwide as "dropout factories."

The schools fitting this description see no more than 60 percent of freshman students make it to their senior year. The national average for graduating on time with a regular diploma is 70 percent.

From Oklahoma, 22 schools made the list, seven in the Tulsa Public school system alone (Central, East Central, McClain, Memorial, Hale, Webster and Rogers). Some state and local educators argued that the analysis was skewed, and therefore unfair. For example, Superintendent Sandy Garret pointed out that the study failed to take into account students who switch schools between the 9th and 12th grades and that mobility rates tend to be higher in urban areas. Indeed, 16 out of 22 schools on the list belong to TPS and Oklahoma City public schools.

Flawed or not, the results of the study reinforced what many already knew to be true, several of our public schools are under funded and their students have been struggling for quite some time.

Academic Revival

In May of this year, TPS received nearly $12 million in federal grants to make sweeping changes at four of the floundering schools by implementing innovative magnet programs. The three to four year programs, called "strands" of study, differ from school to school and are designed to engage students through practical, hands-on projects that correlate with a certain career path, much like a college degree. Students may have to audition or test for placement purposes once they're accepted to a program, though initially they need only express interest in a chosen field.

The Central High School of Fine and Performance Arts Magnet Program offers a myriad of special strands for adolescents who feel drawn to music and theater arts. Students may learn human anatomy through practicing vocal techniques or mathematics through set design. Other strands include Visual Art, Instrumental Music, and Dance (among others). Traditional "core" subjects are closely intertwined with the various strands.

McLain High School for Science and Technology prepares students for careers in Aeronautics, Meteorology, or Robotics. The University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University partnered with McLain to help develop the program, along with other institutions.

Students attending the Hale High School of Restaurant, Lodging, and Health Management learn all aspects of the hospitality industry, as well as culinary skills. OSU has teamed up with the school, making a Health and Human Performance program available.

According to TPS Magnet School Recruiter, Shelonda Hawkins, the bulk of the grant money has gone toward facility improvements. For example, Hale will soon have a 3,500 square foot kitchen built for students, open to the public a couple days per week for demonstrations.

At Webster High School of Broadcast and Digital Media, students explore journalism or graphic design in a new state-of-the-art television studio.

Each school has partnered with businesses in the community, allowing seniors to pursue 400 hours of paid internship time.

Beyond Academia

TPS had other reasons to implement magnet programs in these schools. The U.S. Department of Education's Magnet Assistance Program that funded the grant also aims to increase enrollment at schools where students would benefit from greater ethnic diversity. Any ninth or tenth grade student throughout the district is encouraged to apply.

Magnet schools first came about in the 1970s to diffuse segregation in public schools by allowing students to apply to schools outside of their own neighborhoods. These four were highly segregated prior to this school year. Hawkins affirmed that part of the reason for the change was prevention of "minority group isolation." She said, "TPS wanted to foster minority and non-minority interaction."

Some confuse magnet programs with charter programs. Charter schools do not directly address segregation. Rather, these institutions serve as an alternative option for gifted or "at-risk" students. Both offer specialized, often competitive programs, usually in different areas of expertise.

"It's just going to take some time. They anticipate from other magnet schools in the U.S. that it takes about three years to get things up and running, over the bumpy roads. It takes hard work from administrators, teachers, strand coordinators, the community...and for the students to get in here and really be hands-on and pass it on to other students," said Hawkins.

Although it is still too early to tell how well students are responding to the program, Hawkins has received some positive feedback from students now that the first year is underway.

"I've spoken to a couple of students from Central and one from Hale," said Hawkins. "They are excited, enthused. They can't believe this is available to them."

Other magnet schools in Tulsa have been fruitful- Booker T. Washington sees roughly 88 percent of its students pursue education after high school. This is something that TPS would like to see change for these schools.

"I think a lot of the kids sometimes...just to go to see friends, instead of academic reasons. This grant is also supposed to prepare and motivate students to succeed academically and continue post-secondary education. We don't have a lot of kids here, from the public schools going on to college," Hawkins observed.

Community Involvement

Because the magnet programs rely upon partnerships with local companies for internships and student consultations, those working in these fields interested in helping out are encouraged to do so. Just keeping students updated on new career opportunities in their fields is an important contribution.

Hawkins hopes to see the program grow and invites the city to attend the Magnet Expo Show at Woodland Hills Mall on Saturday, Oct. 25. There will be a live performance from Central students, featuring singing and dancing. Other Tulsa magnet schools for grades K-12 will send representatives. The event lasts from 11am-3pm on the lower level outside of Dillard's. Another will take place at Promenade on Nov. 15. To find out more, visit www.tulsaschools.org.