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Tilson said the program has been successful since it began in 2003. The number of students in the A+ program has grown each year since 2003 to about 50 percent.
Officials also approved a sustainability letter sent to DESE, which outlines the district's and local entities' responsibilities in order to participate in the program.
The sustainability letter "assures" that the district will comply with the standards of the A+ program, assume fiscal and management control following the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) guidelines. Also included in the statement of sustainability are the following:
* The district will employ a halftime A+ coordinator;
* The district will allocate and expend funds for continuation of the program;
* All DESE reports relating to A+ program will be submitted;
* The school's partnership plan will be annually reviewed, and if necessary, updated;
* Data collection and accountability systems will be continued to determine and report demographics and enrollment, student completion of coursework, student follow-up after leaving high school, A+ program outcomes and student success relating to the implementation of the school's partnership plan, and student eligibility to receive student financial incentives available through the A+ programs;
* All students who drop out of school will be reported in compliance with state law and DESE regulations;
* The district will continue to cooperate with East Central College to make services available for adult literacy training; and
* In the event facility improvements are deemed necessary to appropriately implement the A+ school program the district will comply with the accessibility requirements specified by the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.
The A+ program provides incentives for participating high schools to reduce dropout rates, raise academic expectations and provide potential career paths for all students.
Students who graduate from A+ programs which require good attendance, at least a C grade point average and 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring qualify for two years' free tuition at any state community college.
A+ Program
The late Gov. Mel Carnahan developed Missouri's A+ program, which was approved by the Legislature in 1993.
To participate, a high school must change its curriculum from a general education track to provide more practical courses and hands-on experience.
Over 200 schools including Union, have been designated A+ schools.
Schools participating in the program must follow particular requirements governed by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Teachers say the program helps show students a path to job training and higher-paying jobs.
A+ students attend community colleges to use the free tuition, but they can transfer to four-year programs if they want to pursue a bachelor's degree later. Students have four years after graduation to take advantage of the community college option.
