In 1999, Principal Cheri Zahn was intrigued when asked to participate in a PASS partnership. Centex-Rooney executives Bob Moss, CEO, Al Petrangeli, president, Larry Casey, vice president for marketing, Jessie Brewer, vice president joined with Zahn to design a PASS model that focused on student attendance, reading, writing and mathematics.

Since then, school administration has worked closely with executives from Centex-Rooney to share in decision-making, budgeting, project evaluation, and goal setting. Zahn said, "This was the most challenging and gratifying partnership in my 30-year career."

Coach Dr. John Hansen brought a wealth of knowledge to the partnership, including expertise in data analysis. He provided extensive staff development in data analysis, which enhanced teacher use of assessment data in determining individual student learning needs and designing instructional activities to meet those needs.

One of the initial areas of emphasis was attendance, targeting the more than 100 students who were expected to miss more than 20 days during the year. Positive attendance programs by teachers and staff included placing "We missed you" cards on student desks, providing gold stickers for attendance improvement, and offering pizza parties for perfect attendance on test days. These strategies resulted in a steep decline in chronic absenteeism.

Classroom support was provided for teachers to improve their reading, math and writing instruction. Croissant Park also received permission to create its own summer school curriculum with a consistent emphasis on improving reading, mathematics and writing capabilities.

Computer-assisted instruction in reading skills was provided for students having difficulty. A resource teacher collected data on each student, assisted the teacher in instructional diagnoses and maintained information on student progress. Student reading scores rose significantly following the implementation of this program.

To improve writing skills, a writing resource teacher was hired, and writing workshops were held weekly in each classroom. Student scores on the state's writing tests have improved to "A" levels.

A math consultant was provided to analyze the math program and make recommendations for change. New strategies include after-school math tutorial program for grades 2-5, as well as a math challenge activity followed by a cookout for all successful students. The school's computer lab was opened during after-school and evening hours to allow parents to become familiar with the work their children are doing and to improve their own computer skills.

Other grant opportunities arose from the PASS Annenberg Grant, and Croissant Park was awarded $50,000 from the Barbara Bush Literacy Foundation to create a parent literacyroom.

"The focus on mathematics has had the greatest impact on student achievement thus far," said Principal Cheri Zahn. "Students have made gains and demonstrated positive attitudes towards math as a result of working with these tools."

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