U-46 academies' development shows progress

Six months ago, an audit labeled Elgin Area School District U-46's high school academies understaffed and underfunded.

Monday, board members heard a sort of progress report on the schools-within-schools.

Strict staffing guidelines, the November audit found, have caused the academies to accept unqualified students in order to reach target class sizes.

Selection procedures have been refined so teachers can interview more potential students, said Deb Dimke, the district's executive director for programs and accountability.

An umbrella committee has also been charged with aligning each academy's curriculum and program goals.

For example, Dimke said, at Streamwood High School's World Language and International Studies Academy, job-shadowing opportunities now connect with both school curriculum and the area Japanese Chamber of Commerce.

Because the district is now on firmer financial footing than in past years, the audit recommended U-46 "rejuvenate" each academy.

New instructional materials will be presented to the board for approval in June, Dimke said.

Outdated technology, equipment and learning materials will finally be replaced.

In order to increase awareness of academy programs, marketing brochures have been printed, Executive Director of Secondary Education Tom Donausky said. Materials are being distributed to U-46 students from sixth grade up.

The district's six academy offerings are Bartlett High School's Science, Engineering and High Technology Academy; Elgin High School's Gifted and Talented Academy; Larkin High School's Visual and Performing Arts Academy; Streamwood High School's World Languages and International Studies Academy; and South Elgin High School's new Broadcast Education and Communication Networks Academy, to open in August.

In the process of building the BEACON Academy, the board is considering bids for academy furniture and equipment, which include camcorders, iMacs, reporting and editing devices. They will vote on those items in June.