ZAP program pushes students to succeed

            In a single semester, a program named “Zeroes Aren’t Permitted” (ZAP) has significantly decreased the dropout/failure rates for two schools in the Charlotte Public Schools district.

When goals for the academic school year of 2007-2008 were set, one of the top priorities for Charlotte Public Schools was to reduce their dropout/failing rates. After traveling to a school in Kansas that had started the program, Charlotte officials set out to mimic the success that had been witnessed in Kansas.

“With ZAP, we’ve reduced the rate (of failing students) 61 percent,” said Jack VonAchen, Charlotte Middle School assistant principal.

CPS losing students to Schools of Choice, economy

Since September 2004, Charlotte Public Schools (CPS) has been losing students because of Schools of Choice.

The Michigan Schools of Choice program gives students the opportunity to choose which school district they would like to be a part of.

This year, CPS lost just under 250 students. The district has found that the reason students are leaving CPS is varies. Some leave because of problems within the transportation system, while others are leaving because their parents have had to find jobs elsewhere.