Bennett Praises FWCS For Post-High School Prep

Indiana's Superintendent of Public Education is commending Fort Wayne Community Schools for preparing students for 21st century jobs.

Dr. Tony Bennett delivered his third State of Education address tonight. He focused on post-secondary education and career readiness.

"No one and I will repeat no one has done it better than we have done here in Indiana" Bennett says. "Everything we've done, everything we plan to do in the years ahead to advance education in our state must be focused on helping every child gain the skills they need to be competitive in a very dynamic economy."

Tonight, during his address, Bennett touted Indiana as a leader in preparing students for life after high school.

Since 2009, the number of Hoosier students taking Advanced Placement courses has gone up by nearly 50 percent, and the number of students passing Advanced Placement exams is up by 48 percent.

"More students are taking and passing those challenging Advanced Placement courses and exams" he says.

But, AP classes aren't the only tools helping Hoosiers succeed post high school. Bennett says real world experience has proved successful too, and is thanking Fort Wayne Community Schools for leading the way

Bennett singled out FWCS for involvement in a unique pilot program. This year, North Side High School will work with Ivy Tech to allow students earn dual credits, and work with Fort Wayne Metals to get technical experience; all before students ever leave high school.

"The experience gained through this program will make them competitive for jobs at places like Fort Wayne Metals" Bennett says. He says more programs like this one are necessary to help Indiana remain a leader in education.

"We simply cannot allow students to drop out of high school and we must take steps to make sure every student who does graduate does so with a diploma that is guaranteed that he or she has the skills necessary to gain admission into post-secondary programs or colleges" says Bennett.

Bennett is seeking another four-year term. If elected, he says he'll focus on accountability, but not at the school level, rather at the district level.