Foundation Facts

The Niswonger Foundation hosted the third annual School Success Educational Symposium in the Summer of 2009. The Keynote speaker was Phillip C. Schlechty, author and noted speaker on school reform.

School Partnerships

Elizabethton High School – Technology Integration into the Curriculum

This partnership is designed to successfully integrate technology into core subject areas. By building the necessary infrastructure, this partnership will also facilitate the expansion of virtual learning opportunities for students at Elizabethton High School.

Greeneville High School – Virtual Learning Partnership.

The Virtual School Foreign Language Partnership is designed to use state-of-the-art technology to deliver foreign language courses in a virtual setting. At present, French I and French II are being offered to students at Greeneville High School. Additional courses, such as Mandarin Chinese, are being developed.

Greene County / Greeneville City – Career Technical Partnership

In an effort to increase the enrollment, rigor and relevance of the Career Technical Center, the Foundation has committed funds to add Project Lead the Way (a pre-engineering program) and to enhance the existing Health Science Program.

Hancock County - Middle School Improvement Partnership

The focus of this partnership was centered around improving student performance in science and language arts. The Synergistic System for Science (a state-of-the-art science program) was installed and teachers were given extensive training in the use of this system. Teachers have also received training in the use of Compass Learning software for reading /language arts instruction. Mobile technology labs have been purchased to facilitate the use of technology in each classroom.

Hancock County High School - ACT Improvement

This partnership was designed to improve the quality of classroom instruction and the quantity of course offerings in order to meet the new standards required by the Tennessee Diploma Project. Emphasis will also be placed on increasing the number of students achieving benchmark scores on the ACT Test.

Hawkins County - PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program)

The PBIS program has a proven track record and represents a solid approach to solving the growing problem of students dropping out of school. A system-wide mentor/coach has been hired to coordinate the implementation of the PBIS program.

Jefferson County – Reading Initiative

This partnership addressed the literacy needs of students in grades 6-12. It focuses on providing an intervention program for struggling readers, district-wide teacher and administrator professional development, an infusion of appropriate and interesting texts for classrooms, and a student achievement management program.

Johnson County - High School Improvement Partnership

The thrust of this partnership is two-fold. First is to enhance the use of technology in curriculum and instruction. This was accomplished by hiring a “tech” coach to assist teachers in integrating technology into their regular classroom instruction. The second is to create virtual/distance learning opportunities for Johnson County students.

Jefferson County – Reading Initiative

This partnership addressed the literacy needs of students in grades 6-12. It focuses on providing an intervention program for struggling readers, district-wide teacher and administrator professional development, an infusion of appropriate and interesting texts for classrooms, and a student achievement management program.

Johnson County – Middle School Improvement Partnership

The Johnson County Middle School Partnership has identified and is pursuing steps to increase academic performance of students. These steps include: extensive professional development for teachers; on-going mentoring/coaching for administrators and teachers; new educational software additional; technology hardware; creation of a virtual science lab using a 3D dissection system; and additional material for the related arts program.

Johnson County – Middle School Improvement Partnership

The Johnson County Middle School Partnership has identified and is pursuing steps to increase academic performance of students. These steps include: extensive professional development for teachers; on-going mentoring/coaching for administrators and teachers; new educational software additional; technology hardware; creation of a virtual science lab using a 3D dissection system; and additional material for the related arts program.

Washington County - Preschool Initiative

In its first year, this partnership is designed to create a model preschool program for Washington County. Not only will this program provide unique learning opportunities for preschool age children, It will also provide family consultation, parenting skills training, home visits, technology literacy and opportunities for parents/family to participate in the program.