NETCO Update
Highlights from Our Northeast Tennessee College
and Career Ready Consortium (NETCO)
NETCO Facts:
Serves 85,700 Students ~ 3,491 square miles ~ Second largest Educational Service Area in Tennessee ~
Made possible through a $21 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education
America’s Promise Summit
(L-R) Larry Neas, Vivian Franklin and Linda Irwin
Student Support
In the first term of this school year, NETCO counselors worked to “pave the way” for college readiness by making individual contact with over 6000 of our region’s high school students, training 940 students to use the College forTN career system, meeting with 3500 students in group settings, and assisting in testing 26,500 students.
Over 480 students were enrolled in online courses, which are designed to expand their course options and college readiness.
A pilot program was created at Morristown East and Morristown West High Schools to explore the use of iPads to increase student involvement and access to higher level math and science courses. Teachers were trained in the use of this technology as an instructional tool.
Sullivan County and Washington County Schools are, for the first time, participating in distance learning classes. High schools in each county are offering at least one distance learning class.
NETCO Counselors have co-hosted 16 Parent/Student Financial Aid Nights to assist in completing the college financial aid process.
Staff News and Professional Development
Staff members have been present at seven professional conferences. Among these, NETCO staff were among the presenters at the following:
- AMERICA’S PROMISE GRAD NATION SUMMIT, IN WASHINGTON D.C.
- THE TENNESSEE SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATOR LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE, IN MURFREESBORO, TN
- THE SMOKEY MOUNTAIN COUNSELING ASSOCIATION, IN MORRISTOWN, TN
Thirty-two school administrators representing 27 of NETCO’s 29 high schools attended the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida.
A pod-cast was conducted for the National College Admissions Counselors Association. This program focused on our college and career counselors’ work on college and financial aid application assistance.
Two new counselors have joined the NETCO staff. Darrin Burchette will serve Carter County and Donnell Goode will serve Tennessee High, Dobyns-Bennett and Volunteer High Schools. (See Welcome New Counselors, page 10)
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
The Sixth Annual Niswonger Foundation School Success Symposium will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. The registration deadline is June 7. Registration information is available at the Niswonger Foundation Learning Center website at www.nflconline.com.
Professional Development Day will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2012. Over 1,700 high school teachers are anticipated to meet at 12 different sites, throughout the region, based on their subject area of expertise. In addition, November 6, 2012 will be a Regional Professional Development Day, representing the first time that all 15 school systems have designated a common professional development experience.
With an invitation from NETCO, the College Board will be offering Advanced Placement (AP) Biology retraining in Greeneville on July 9-13, 2012.
