CPSD Equivalency Program reviewed at MDE conference

Special to The Canton News 

Monica McGhee and Dr. Shelethia McGruder were recently invited to share insights and a “year in review” of the Canton Public School District’s (CPSD) completion of its first year operating a High School Equivalency Program (HSEP).
 

Terissa Williams, education program manager for the Office of Compulsory School of Attendance and Dropout Prevention, invited them to speak at the “Finding the Road to Success” conference for at-risk students, hosted by the Mississippi Department of Education. Williams says she was impressed by how far CPSD’s program has come in its inaugural year.
 

Monica McGhee, HSEP coordinator of data and instruction, and Dr. Shelethia McGruder, HSEP coordinator of recruitment and operations, shared information about the students’ achievements, challenges faced and lessons learned. The session explored the program’s highs and lows, aiming to help educators, administrators and community members understand how to launch and sustain a successful program to provide more students with opportunities for success.
 

Five students completed the program. Four are enrolled in college. One student chose to take a gap year. The students passed over thirty GED tests and successfully graduated with the Class of 2024.