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Lynn Freed Awarded First KAP Prize

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Katherine Anne Porter, J.F. Powers, and Katherine A. Powers

ALA 2001

Play Based on Porter Performed in Austin

Jiménez-Porter Writers' House at University of Maryland

KAP House

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The steady improvement and overall success of the Katherine Anne Porter School is remarkable. We earned "acceptable" and then "recognized" accountability ratings for the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 academic years, with a definite trend toward higher student achievement. Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) passing rates have improved, attendance rates have improved, and drop-out rates have fallen. Meanwhile the KAPS has done more with less, providing quality education in classes with a high staff to student ratio averaging one teacher to ten students.

The number of students taking SAT or ACT tests has increased, and the number of students graduating has risen from 13 to 49, while the number of students going on to college has also increased. The number of certified teachers on staff has risen. The number of teachers qualified in specialized areas, such as special education, gifted and talented, diversified teaching, and English as a Second Language, has increased.

The KAPS is financially viable and was approved by the Texas State Board of Education to expand its enrollment and open a Middle/Primary Campus in Blanco in August 2002. The management of school finances has been audited each year and found in excellent condition. The KAPS was evaluated by the Texas Education Agency in November 2000 and was found to have no risk factors.

The KAPS admits students on the basis of a lottery if more students apply than can be accommodated. The KAPS does not discriminate on grounds of ethnicity, race, gender, class, academic, artistic, or athletic ability.

The reading level of KAPS students has improved remarkably over the past three years: from a 10th Grade Exit Level Reading TAAS passing rate of 88% in February 2000 to 100% in February 2002. The 11th Grade Exit Level Reading TAAS passing rate improved from 40%, to 50%, and up to 100% in February 2002. The 12th Grade Exit Level Reading TAAS passing rate improved to 100% in February 2002. The improvements in Math performance have also been remarkable. From a 10th Grade Exit Level Math TAAS passing rate of 59% in February 2000, to 75% in February 2001, to 78% in February 2002, and 100% passing rate for 12th Grades Exit Level Math TAAS takers.

The improvements in writing skills have also been salutary. The 10th Grade Exit Level Writing TAAS passing rate was 56% in February 2000, 72% in February 2001 and 87% in February 2002. The 11th Grade Exit Level Writing TAAS passing rate was 43% in February 2001 and 100% in February 2002. In conclusion, during the past three years, KAPS writing pass rates rose 55%, math pass rates rose 32% and reading pass rates rose 14%.

The open and friendly environment at the KAP Schools encourages a great deal of participation and ownership. Twice a year, the KAPS surveys students, staff, and parents to assess areas of satisfaction and dissatisfaction and plans ways to improve our educational services. The Student Achievement Committee, an important group of student leaders, staff, and parents, meets bi-weekly to discuss student achievement and conduct the surveys. The survey results are reported to an Open House and plans are discussed in a wider forum at the beginning of each academic year.

Parent involvement includes speaking to classes, aiding teachers, cooking a lunch for all students once a week, fundraising, membership on the Board of Trustees and participation in Board meetings, and membership on the Student Achievement Committee.

The learning environment and quality of teaching have improved tremendously at the KAPS. Student academic, artistic, and athletic achievement has reached new heights. This overall success can be attributed to the deep commitment, professionalism, flexibility, dialogue, and cooperation of an excellent staff, working closely with parents and community partners, and guided by an ethical and united Board of Trustees.

Curricular choices and technology integration in education have advanced. Student leadership is apparent on a daily basis through peer leadership, mentoring, and involvement in the Student Achievement Committee, Student Council, Peer Mediation and Conflict Resolution, and Student Justice Board.

The Katherine Anne Porter School receives only about 50% as much funding as a traditional public school. We offer all our services free because we believe what Katherine Anne Porter herself said many years ago: "Knowledge of great thought and great art is a good in itself, not to be missed for anything."

The support of people who agree with our mission to serve the under-served and promote an educated and responsible citizenship has been the life-blood to our school. We would like to thank the Wimberley Lions Club, the Wimberley Community Civic Club, Wells Fargo Bank, Ozona Bank, Arts from the Heart, Wimberley Valley Watershed Association, ACE Hardware Store, Ruth Mince, and all the wonderful donors who have made KAPS's success possible and helped so many students further their education.

At present we have a large student demand for four hands-on vocational courses. If we can raise $20,000 from donations, the KAP School will match this by $8,000. This will enable us to start teaching:

1) Culinary Crafts
2) Organic Farming
3) Architectural Graphics
4) Industrial Arts

Donations are tax-deductible and will go a very long way to improving education and the local economy. The addresses and telephone numbers for the two KAPS locations are P.O. Box 2053, Wimberley, TX 78676, 512-847-6867; and PO Box 1480, Blanco, TX 78606, 830-833-0440.