The College of Charleston’s Center for Partnerships to Improve Education has released a report on its successes and challenges in its four-year partnership with Burke High School in Charleston County. Between 2005 and 2009 when the Center worked with Burke, the graduation rate increased from 45.4% to 62.5%, the dropout rate decreased from 28% to 10.1% and report card ratings improved. The Center is housed in the College’s School of Education, Health, and Human Performance.

“When Burke made the gains, the College was almost as excited as we were. It was very positive to have a sense of shared responsibility for Burke’s success,” said Nancy McGinley, Superintendent of the Charleston County School District.

In 2005, McGinley asked the College for help in turning Burke High School around. The students at Burke had continually turned in dismal test scores, there had been a revolving door of principals, faculty morale was at an all-time low, students were not effectively disciplined and the quality of teaching was poor.

The Center funded a principal coach who provided information and strategies to teachers and administrators. The Center also provided professional development in the form of yearly teacher conferences as well as targeted graduate renewal courses for Burke teachers. The Center also facilitated student writing projects, summer enrichment activities and dual enrollment at Burke and the College of Charleston.

“The Center provided a forum for the larger community to get involved with Burke,” said Dean Fran Welch, School of Education, Health, and Human Performance.”

Juanita Middleton, principal coach during the partnership, and Charles Benton, principal, created the Advanced Placement Academy with 30 participants district-wide in 2008. The number of AP courses offered at Burke increased from one to six, the number of student participants grew from 10 to 46 and 72 AP tests were taken in 2008-2009.

The Center staff found that in order for a school/community partnership to work well, the following “ingredients” needed to be included a Burke: trust and communication; a partnership approach that avoided top-down management; stable leadership in the Center and in the partnership schools; community support; key connections in the community; the right people; teachers who worked together; the need to be nimble.

For more information, contact the Center’s director, Paula Egelson, at 843.953.7629.