Below is from a January 10 School District Communications Office press release. The free SAT for juniors is a resource that might benefit youth in our community, especially if they take it knowing that we expect them to prepare for it in advance and do great things on exam day!

Free SAT for Public High School Juniors
Tampa, Fla. – (January 10, 2012) – Hillsborough County public high school
juniors are eligible to take a free SAT at their high school.
The SAT exam dates and corresponding deadlines for registration are:
Exam Date Registration Deadline
March 10, 2012 February 10, 2012
May 5, 2012 April 6, 2012
June 2, 2012 May 8, 2012
The SAT, which regularly costs $49, can be used as a college entrance exam, a
qualifier for scholarships, or a substitute for a passing FCAT score for high school
graduation. An online practice program to prepare high school students to take the SAT
is also available at every high school.
Students and parents should contact their high school guidance office
directly for more information and to sign up for this free exam. All Hillsborough County
public high schools will serve as testing sites.

In His Service,
Jason

Jason D. Mims
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, Retired
CELL: (813) 787-0392
jason

The MIMS Institute www.mimsinstitute.com
Promoting academic excellence in key urban zip codes

…The fruit of LOVE is SERVICE. The fruit of SERVICE is PEACE.
Mother Teresa’s Business Card

Auditi Chakravarty, Steven Colon, and Trevor Packer, vice-president for AP Programs and College Readiness.August 16 Fellowship with College Board Staff

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of having a fellowship with the College Board’s Advanced Placement Program staff.  They shared insights about the chances of an AP African American Studies/History class becoming an option for high school students.  I appreciate the time they spent with me, though I received no indication that College Board association members are stepping forward to advocate on behalf of creating and offering such a class. Here are some College Board Fellowship Reflections I had after the fellowship.  Your comments are welcome.

College Board leadership may not be available to discuss the issue during the two weeks that he will be in New York.  Nevertheless, Mims insists on doing what he can to get insights from the primary sources located at the College Board headquarters in New York City.

AP classes are college-level classes offered to high school students.  The College Board offers students over 30 courses in a variety of disciplines.  Students who pass the AP exams can earn college credits.  The School District of Hillsborough County in Tampa received the College Board’s Beacon Award in July 2011 for being the school district with the greatest number of students in the nation who passed AP exams.

During the 30-year era of Space Shuttle expeditions from 1981 through 2011, the AP Program has been successful in expanding “a body of knowledge that it passes from generation to generation.” 

Mims hopes that the College Board will develop a class so that rigorous concepts related to black life in America become part of the body of knowledge passed from generation to generation of high-achieving students in the post-Space Shuttle Era.

For more information about A Simple AP Expedition, visit www.mimsinstitute.com or contact Jason Mims, founder of The MIMS Institute, at 813-787-0392.

Current AP Courses

Koinonia and Jesse 8th-Year Wedding Anniversary

Newly appointed Florida Education Commissioner Gerard Robinson, right, with Gov. Rick Scott. (Source: Executive Office of the Governor)

Gerard Robinson will be Florida’s new education commissioner

By Marlene Sokol, Times Staff Writer
(St. Petersburg Times article)

Return to Blog

St. Petersburg Times Picture

It’s a tough market for Tampa Bay teens seeking summer jobs

By Kim Wilmath, St. Petersburg Times Staff Writer
In Print: Tuesday, June 21, 2011

This story reminds me of a similar situation I encountered sixteen years ago.  I was retiring from the US Army at MacDill Air Force Base.  My goal was to “give back to the community for two years” in appreciation of the great fortune I experienced while on active duty.  This was in 1995, about the time “America’s Promise” was a movement in the news. 

Heather was a sixteen-year-old who lived in the Ponce de Leon public housing complex in Ybor City.  She was “baby-free,” crime-free, and a budding Florida Academic Scholar.  When we met, she indicated that she had applied for thirteen summer jobs without receiving an offer.  I have often wondered how serious we are about the promises we make to children and youth.  Meeting Heather suggested that we cannot just leave delivery on the promises to government and corporate America.  I hired Heather for my summer computer skills training program for inner-city children.  At least thirty elementary and middle school students benefited from Heather’s daily efforts to get them safely to our program in Ybor City.

There is a rumor floating around.  Many churches in East Tampa are starting a summer jobs fund collection to go along with the “building fund” collections on Sundays throughout the year.

Raphael, a recent Hillsborough County College graduate with an appointment to the US Military Academy Class of 2015, introduced his friend Matthew to me.  Raphael knows about my passion for fueling young people’s interest in America’s Best Colleges.  I was excited when Raphael mentioned that Matthew wants to consider applying to the University of Notre Dame.

On Friday, June 17, Matthew and I met at Café Kili for an Academic Excellence Fellowship.  Matthew is an Hillsborough County College student.  His dream is to study national and international economics and financial systems at the best undergraduate business program in America.

I thanked Matthew for spending his time with me.  You see, the success of my mission of “fostering Academic Excellence among youth in [my] community” depends on a few young people willing to embrace what I have to offer.  Matthew was a willing—and appreciative—participant in this Academic Excellence Fellowship.

In the course of our fellowship, I learned about some of Matthew’s unique strengths.  He gains encouragement to “dream BIG” as he watches his buddy, Raphael, pursue his dream of becoming an Army officer.  Matthew learned from him that it is okay to dare ask the question:  “Will America help me further develop my strengths at exceptional postsecondary academic institutions?”

I shared some words from the “Meet the Class of 2015” article in the current Notre Dame Today online newsletter.  Donald Bishop, associate vice president for the Office of Undergraduate Enrollment, made two observations that I printed and gave to Matthew:

“In our selection process, more than ever before, we were careful to select students who have the ambition to become top experts in their chosen fields of study and professional endeavors.”

 “In our society today, we have seen many adults that seek top positions of influence so others can serve them. The prototype Notre Dame student seeks to reach the very top of their fields in their career so that they can serve others.”

Matthew’s application to Notre Dame late this year might reflect his “ambition to become a top expert” in his field “so that he can serve others.”   We agreed that neither of us knows what the Admissions Office Class of 2016 picture looks like.  We also agreed that Matthew knows what he wants and is willing to ask if what he has to offer and contribute to Our Lady’s University fits in that picture.

The fellowship with Matthew was yet another reminder of the “Immigrant Granddad’s Memo to His Grandson” that Raphael’s mom shared with me.

“I soon learned that’s how everything works in America,” the grandfather told his grandson.  “Life is a cafeteria here.  You can get anything you want, even success. But you’ll never get it if you wait for someone to bring it to you.  You have to get up and get it yourself.” 

The Agenda Summary lists the Superintendent’s recommendations for school board approval.  Links next to each item provide an executive summary and further documentation.  Collectively, the agenda documents offer insights into how the school district distributes funds for public education.

A number of items discuss opportunities that might benefit students in low-income communities.  Some items also provide information about relationships between the school district and the Education Industrial Complex.  There are usually items on the agenda that could serve as a basis for townhall meetings to help communities provide support to students in public schools.

The agenda for June 14 is particularly complex.

Funding sources mentioned in the executive summaries include dollars from both the current fiscal year and the new one that begins on July 1.  Below are a few of the agenda items that I looked at before sending out this email.  I certainly hope to learn more by attending the meeting at 3 PM on Tuesday.  Invariably, I gain some insight by attending these meetings that assists me in promoting academic excellence in my community.

02 Recognition of the College Board’s Beacon Award to Hillsborough County Public Schools and Superintendent MaryEllen Elia  Print

2.02 Approve Master Services Agreement with The American Academy for the 2011/2012 School Year Print   Supp. Materials (1)

4.02 Approve New Evaluations to be Used Beginning in 2011/2012 for Technology Resource Teachers, Media Specialists, Guidance Counselors, Pre-K/EELP Teachers, and Hospital/Homebound Teachers  Print  Supp. Materials (5)

5.60 Approve the Agreement for Technical Services with the Principal’s Special Forces Team to Provide Transitional Services and Support to 30 Incoming 9th Graders Attending Middleton and Spoto High Schools during 2011/2012 (Student Services and Federal Programs Division) Print Supp. Materials (1)

5.64 Approve Renewal Implementation Agreement with the Center for Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Program and The School Board of Hillsborough County, Florida (Student Services and Federal Programs Division) Print Supp. Materials (1)

5.66 Approve the Purchase of “The SPARK Science Equipment” from PASCO Scientific to be Utilized at Various Middle and High Schools (Sole-Source Provider) (Business Division)  Print

8.02 Approve Letter of Engagement with HBEC Group Inc. for Professional Services Related to Government Relations and State Budget Financial Analysis (Government Relations) Print Supp. Materials (1)

8.03 Approve School Board Meeting Schedule Change (Deputy Superintendent) Print Supp. Materials (1)

8.04 Approve Memorandum of Understanding with The College Board as a Partnership for the College & Career Readiness Reform Model, 2011/2012 Through 2013/2014 (Deputy Superintendent)  Print Supp. Materials (1)

8.05 Approve Contract for Legal Services with Thompson, Sizemore, Gonzalez & Hearing (Deputy Superintendent)Print Supp. Materials (1)

9.01 Empowering Effective Teachers (EET) Update - June 2011 (Information and Technology Division)  Print   Supp. Materials (1)

The Notre Dame Alumni Association treated me to a special day on April 16 “for fostering academic excellence in [my] community.”

Daughter Sierra and her fiance, Ryder, joined me on campus and at the Notre Dame Blue-Gold Game. We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

After the game, the first email I opened announced that Ashley McBride, King High International Baccalaureate Class of 2011, had received a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Miami. Congratulations, Ashley and mom, Jada McBride, executive director, Positive SPIN, Inc.!!!

As I was walking out of Tampa International Airport with my bags upon my return, I received a text message from Patrick at Cafe Kili. It said that Raphael had received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Congratulations, Raphael, Rose, and Patrick!!!

I hope that it is alright with you that I intend to follow the guidance I received from the Notre Dame Alumni Association leadership. They told me that they expected me to “Continue to do what you are doing!”.

In His Service,
Jason

Jason D. Mims
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, Retired
3906 W. Tyson Ave. Tampa, FL 33611
CELL: (813) 787-0392
jason

The MIMS Institute www.mimsinstitute.com
Promoting academic excellence in key urban zip codes

…The fruit of LOVE is SERVICE. The fruit of SERVICE is PEACE.
Mother Teresa’s Business Card

A Special Day April 16.pdf

March 28, 2011 marks the ten-year point of Hillsborough County Public Schools’ freedom from court supervision of its desegregation plan. The occasion seems to be passing with little commentary. Perhaps that is a good thing.

Today, students face different challenges and opportunities in our public schools. “White flight” from the schools did not occur. This indicates that local education leaders were able to address parental concerns about integrated schools. Students who apply themselves today can graduate with college credits, Bright Futures Scholarships, and access to exceptional postsecondary opportunities.

Great teachers throughout the school district—and the state—are under strains that the Legislature and Governor are creating in the name of “education reform.” Their promise is that students will benefit because of their meddling in the local control of the operations of schools. Ten years after Hillsborough County Public Schools achieved Unitary Status, the key threat to public education is the morale of the teaching corps.

Students of color can benefit from an increased presence of adults from their communities at their schools during daylight hours. Showing support for teachers is something easy for some to do. Reinforcing academic concepts with students after school may be possible for others to begin.

“Now is the time for all good men (and women) to come to the aid of our [students]!”

In His Service,

Jason

Manning v. School Board of Hillsborough County

Footnote 25

Local control is complementary, not contradictory, to the goal of eradicating illegal discrimination from our

nation’s schools. The Supreme Court has spoken to this principle:

Returning schools to the control of local authorities at the earliest practicable date is essential to restore

their true accountability in our governmental system. When the school district and all state entities

participating with it in operating the schools make decisions in the absence of judicial supervision, they

can be held accountable to the citizenry, to the political process, and to the courts in the ordinary

course…. [I]t must be acknowledged that the potential for discrimination and racial hostility is still present in our country, and its manifestations may emerge in new and subtle forms after the effects of de jure segregation have been eliminated. It is the duty of the State and its subdivisions to ensure that such

forces do not shape or control the policies of its school systems. Where control lies, so too does

responsibility. Freeman, 503 U.S. at 490, 112 S.Ct. at 1445.

No. 99-2049.

United States Court of Appeals,

Eleventh Circuit.

March 16, 2001.

March 28, 2001.

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. No. 58-03554-CIV-T-17C),

Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, Chief Judge.

Before BLACK, FAY and COX, Circuit Judges.

BLACK, Circuit Judge:

Appellants argue that they have eliminated the vestiges of past discrimination to the extent practicable

and have fully complied in good faith with the desegregation decree. Accordingly, Appellants claim their

school district should be declared unitary and federal judicial supervision should cease. Conversely,

Appellees, a class of African-American schoolchildren, contend the school district is not unitary and federal

judicial oversight of Appellants remains necessary. We hold that Appellants have achieved unitary status.

We reverse and remand for the district court to enter judgment, in accordance with this opinion, declaring

the Hillsborough County school system to be unitary.

78. CONCLUSION

The district judge’s finding that Appellants have not achieved unitary status was tainted and infected by

reliance on an incorrect legal standard. As such, we reverse the district judge’s orders of October 26,

1998, and December 4, 1998. Upon remand, the district court shall enter judgment declaring the

Hillsborough County school system unitary. Therefore, federal judicial supervision of the Hillsborough

County school system shall cease.

Jason D. Mims
Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, Retired
3906 W. Tyson Ave. Tampa, FL 33611
CELL: (813) 787-0392
jason

The MIMS Institute www.mimsinstitute.com
Promoting academic excellence in key urban zip codes

…The fruit of LOVE is SERVICE. The fruit of SERVICE is PEACE.
Mother Teresa’s Business Card