by Jennifer Johnson • Daily News
Published/Last Modified on Monday, November 23,
2009 10:13 AM CST
Career and technical education students in Campbell, Minn., exceeded state testing standards last year in reading and math.
Campbell-Tintah School students scored 75 to 62 against the state in reading, while regional schools averaged at 62.7. In math, the school scored 33.3 to 32 against the state. Regional schools did not meet the benchmark.
Graduation rates also soared to 97.7 percent, nearly 28 percent higher than the state average. Advertisement
Richard Osman, career instructor, credits school collaboration and student dedication as the key to student success.
"It's a demeanor," he said. "There's a kinship here that's next to none."
But several programs offered at Campbell-Tintah also lend to an exploratory kind of learning that goes beyond standard classroom work. For instance, high school students are so engaged in designing the district Web site, most work on it at home and on the weekends to come up with new results.
"It's all student-driven," said Osman. "They're so proud of it."
Most upper-level students have also invested full control of their own education by working independently on projects, often outside of the classroom. Jon Finamore, a junior, discovered an IBM Internet technology contest that will allow him top priority on jobs there after college. 'Master the Mainframe' teaches and tests students on mainframe technology, one of the most widely-used platforms in the world, and separates the curious from the determined - the contest takes several months to complete. So far, Finamore is on section two of the three-tiered contest.
"This is the type of stuff that kids are motivated to do," said Osman.
Another student is participating in a school-to-work program, which requires him to maintain employment at a community business during his senior year. Afterward, he'll consult Osman to learn salary structure, interview skills and how to build his resume. Other students are taking a second-level accounting course and only see Osman on testing days.
"It's been pretty amazing what they've done," he said.
Considering student work ethic and the uptick in scores, each day highlights Osman's belief that any student can succeed in school.
"These aren't always the best," he said. "These are your average students that are progressing and achieving."
