“We can do this fast, and this is just the perfect time,” said Hart.
Sablan told Hart that PSS has been seeking stronger parental and community involvement in student learning.
“I have also tried to find a way to see how PSS can connect with the college which trains teachers, who are expected to deliver effective instruction and to be highly qualified,” the commissioner added.
Hart said her meeting with Sablan is “is a renewal of partnership.”
She added, “We are coming together to look for opportunities to strengthen student learning in the commonwealth.”
Sablan said the long-term objective is to allow for the utilization of the existing resources of PSS and NMC.
Faced with dwindling local funding, PSS and NMC officials said they have been leveraging their resources to continue delivering quality education.
“I am excited to jump-start this partnership,” Sablan said. “I am happy that Dr. Hart is willing to work with PSS to fulfill the many initiatives that we have when it comes to student performance and highly qualified and effective personnel because these two are key areas where the college can help us.”
Sablan and Hart discussed the “dual enrollment, dual credit” initiative for public school students.
This will allow students to be enrolled in the first two years of a college program during their last two years in high school.
Sablan said this has been done in some schools districts in the U.S. and has been found to be beneficial to high school students who want to pursue college.
Hart said NMC is ready to work with PSS in implementing the program.
Sablan and Hart also agreed to meet regularly each month.
“I can say that we are now going to make headway,” Sablan said. “The dual credit program is one way that we can jump-start our partnership. This is an exceptional opportunity for our students here and I am very pleased that she and I do agree that it is important that both PSS and NMC can work together as partners.”
