Sentinel EXCELerator Article

Wow, what a difference a news article can make!

Friday’s Florida Sentinel included “School District Offers Opportunity For Middle and High School Students To Attend College.”

 Ms. Gwen Hayes’ report mentioned some of the comments from the meeting between the superintendent and the Sentinel Editorial Board on Wednesday, April 3.  Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board and other members of the organization, joined the superintendent, MaryEllen Elia, at this meeting.  The big news of the day is that next school year Hillsborough County will become the first EXCELerator school district in the nation.  The article includes words like, “The program aims to increase the number and diversity of students in honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes.”

I applaud Ms. Elia for bringing Governor Caperton to meet “influence-shapers” in the black community during his short visit from the College Board’s New York home office.  I also applaud the Florida Sentinel for relaying the information to its readers in such a timely manner. 

Some tremendous possibilities lie ahead for our young people.  Our community can choose to buy into these renewed efforts to prepare ALL children for college success.  Governor Caperton likely will return in a year or so to highlight the successes of the first EXCELerator school district in the nation. 

Will leaders from local black organizations be at his side, recognized as equal partners in helping our children dream of going to college?

What are EXCELerator Schools?

College Board EXCELerator Schools Brochure 

“Hillsborough County is one of only five districts nationally participating in the EXCELerator program.  Next school year (2008-09), Hillsborough County will be the first school district in the nation to expand the EXCELerator program to all of its middle and high schools”

Invitation to Celebrate the Partnership with the College Board and Hillsborough County Public Schools, Wednesday, April 2, 2008