By Rodney Dunigan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Educators from across the country are in Nashville this week getting a bit of schooling themselves. They're here to learn more about Metro's innovative - Big Picture High School.
The program gives children real world experience in the career of their choice along with providing them one-on-one mentoring and instruction. Those visiting hope to take what they learn and impact the lives of children in their communities.
"It gives them hope and it gives them an idea that they can find a place to fit in, in the world and therefore education becomes meaningful," said Ralph Tagg principal of Metro's Big Picture High School.
Not only does each student in the 3 year old school participate in internships, they have individualized lesson plans and tutoring aimed at both keeping them in school and pushing them in the direction of college.
The program has been so much of a success for Metro more than 70 principals from across the country visited the school Thursday in hopes of learning how to improve student achievement in their schools.
Elliot Washor, the co-director of the Big Picture learning design that originated in Providence, Rhode Island, said Metro's program is a shining example of what the model should be.
"The students are self-aware, the staff love being here, it's got a wonderful feeling of smallness and intimacy where everybody knows everybody. It's a close knit group," said Washor.
Nationally Big Picture schools average about a 92 percent graduation rate. Metro's Big Picture School admits about 60 students a year. They will be graduating their first senior class next year. Big Picture High School
E-mail: rdunigan@newschannel5.com
