The program is funded by Sara Lee Branded Apparel and the Winston-Salem Foundation. The new model breaks the school system into three cohorts and begins a new five-year instructional initiative. Cohorts represent a vertical slice through the school system with each cohort containing elementary, middle, and high schools. Cohort I will work with teachers representing grades 3-8. Intervention will be designed to empower teachers to use technology in order to increase the opportunity for students' learning in their classrooms.
Plans are to expand the program to include two other cohorts in the subsequent two years.
These teachers will then serve as mentors as the schools expand professional development opportunities to additional staff members. F. Action Plan for Low-Performing School Amanda Bell, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary School Administration, reviewed the school assistance plan for David H. Petree Elementary School. Additionally, the team will develop a plan of support services for reading, mathematics, and writing. Staff development will be provided and assistance will be given in monitoring the use of instructional materials. Mrs. Bell stated that all Petree parents had received a copy of the assistance plan and a letter from the school's principal, Dennis Rutledge, encouraging their support and involvement in their child's learning process.