Reading Program Showing Positive Results; Students Tour CTE Classes

Students from schools in the Copper Country Intermediate School District are benefiting from a reading grant as part of the University of Oregon and Michigan’s Behavior and Learning Support Initiative.

The results were presented to the CCISD Board of Education by Lynnette Borree at its regular meeting Tuesday.

Early data shows improvements in K-2 reading skills across the ISD wide area. 

The focus of the project, called ECRI (Enhanced Core Reading Instruction) is on using strategies to enhance existing reading materials by increasing student engagement. 

The grant provided training and coaching support for teachers as well as new technology to allow teachers to record lessons and share them with coaches and each other. 

Sophomores and juniors from every local high school were recently given an introduction to the classes available at the Career & Technical Education Center.

CCISD Superintendent George Stockero said the students were able to spend 15 minutes in 8 classes that are offered in Houghton County.

These included Auto Tech, Welding/Manufacturing, Construction Trades, Health Careers, Certified Nursing Assistant, Early Childhood, Computer Networking/Cyber Security and Graphic Arts/Marketing.

The teachers were able to describe to the perspective students what happens in their classes and show off some of the equipment in the classes. 

Students were given an opportunity to sign up for a more in-depth tour at a later date. 

Stockero also shared with the board that the cost for transportation to get all the students to the tours was paid for by a grant from the Western Upper Peninsula Regional Prosperity Initiative.

In addition to covering the cost of the transportation, WUPPDR will also be allocating $4500 to help pay for videos of each new CTE class. 

Stockero said these videos are an integral part of showing the public and younger students what CTE classes are available.

In other action, the Board:

• Awarded DP Construction the bid to build the CCISD Bus Garage.
• Hired Michelle Larson as a Part-time, Permanent Instructional Aide for the Learning Center.
• Hired Jordan Schulze as a CTE Instructor/Para Professional for Career Tech Education.
• Hired Cody Stopel as a Helpdesk Technician for REMC 1.
• Accepted with regret, the resignation of school psychologist Jezzle Ticar, effective April 1.