2014 AVID National ConferenceOrlando, Florida

A Model for College Readiness: Collaboration Between Universities

and School Districts

Dr. Jennifer Gigliotti, Rice UniversitySonya Ramirez, Rice University

Kathy Arno, AVID CenterJulie Sanders, AVID Center

How do you measure up?

Pre-test assessment of college readiness on your campus

Think About It!

Are you a school that has college readiness

initiatives?

OR

Are you a college ready school?

Pronoun Test

How does your site or feeder pattern refer to college readiness programs or initiatives?

They talk about college readiness in grades 11-12.We implement college readiness initiatives for all students at our school.

They select students for Pre-AP or AP classes.We encourage students to take Pre-AP or AP classes.

They view AVID students as less academically capable.We believe that AVID students can succeed.

Reflection

How does your faculty refer to college readiness: “they” or “We”?

Share your response with your elbow partner.

Introduction to the Grant InitiativeGrant Partners

Grant GoalsPillars of Grant Programming

Grant Partners

13 Houston-area school districts30 High Schools

27 Middle Schools

The Role of AVID Center:

• Trusted and established relationships with district partners• Leadership training• AVID Pedagogy• Data collection and reports• Curriculum for Summer Bridge (Algebra Readiness) and

College Readiness Institute• Dedicated staff to manage grant• Fiscal agent

Grant Partners

The Role of Rice University:

• Established programming for advanced academics and college readiness

• Trusted and established relationships with district partners• Local partnerships and community contacts• Logistics – registration, facilities, district communication,

grant website and creation of online resources• Dedicated staff to manage grant• Workshop/seminar development

Grant Partners

The Role of Houston-area School Districts:

• Dedicated grant liaison serving on grant management team• District MOU and principal letter of commitment• Provide campus leadership for Team College programming• Minimal fiscal commitment• Substitute pay for release time for some programs• Transportation costs for some student programs• Commitment to data sharing agreement with College Board

Grant Partners

Collaboration with College Board

The Role of College Board:

• SAT™ Insight and content workshops• Provide AP™ and SAT data (data sharing agreements)• Released AP exam questions and scoring

and scoring guidelines• SAT™ practice material•College Board Tools• AP Potential™• My College Quick Start/My Road™• College Ed™

Grant Goals

GOALS AVID All Students

Increase in number of AP course enrollments, AP course completions, AP exams taken, and AP exam scores of 3, 4, and 5

20% 10%

Increase enrollment in advanced courses (including honors, Pre-AP, and GT) as defined by the AVID Texas Data II reports

20% 10%

Increase in SAT Scores 10%

Decrease in the equity and achievement gaps among subgroups in AP courses and AP exam scores

Completion of data analysis, goal-setting, and reflection on and refinement of the goals by each site throughout the initiative

Evaluation of the college-going culture at the sites by comparing pre- and post-assessments to demonstrate the institutionalization of a college-going culture (using the college readiness keys proposed by Dr. David Conley)

Pillars of the Initiative

AVID pedagogy

AP/Pre-AP content

Leadership development for college readiness

Creation of campus college-going culture

Four Keys of College Readiness (David Conley)

Sustainability beyond life of grant

Collaboration of organizations

Partner Sharing

Give One—Get One

Stand and share with a partner one interesting idea

you’ve heard so far in this presentation.

Replicable Programming Without Grant Funding

Team College

Inter- and Intra-District Collaborations

AVID Tutor Training and Higher Ed Partnerships

MyAVID materials and modules

AVID and AP/Pre-AP Summer Institutes

College and Career Counseling Workshops

College Readiness Summit

Preparing for High School/College

Destination College and Destination Graduation

AP Exam Review for Students

AP Exam Prep for Teachers

Essential Guide to Preparing for College (online, open access)

AP Exam Review for Students (online, open access)

Replicable Programming Without Grant Funding

Select Programming

Team CollegeLeadership

• Campus team of 4: principal, counselor, AVID coordinator, AP or Pre-AP teacher

• Creation of cohesive college-going culture• Study and evaluation of data• Promotion of student access to and success in advanced

courses• Campus focus plans • Presentations, data reviews, group planning, goal setting• Multi-school group meeting and school coaching visits

Select Programming

Preparing for High School (8th graders)

Preparing for College (9th/ 10th graders)

• Trainer-of-Trainers model• High school/college preparedness for

students Importance of HS course selection College readiness skills Test-taking and study skills Persistence in rigorous coursework

Select Programming

Destination College(11th graders)

Destination Graduation(8th graders)

• One-day events on university campus• Presentations

Admissions and financial aid Skills and knowledge for success in college

• Reality chats with current university students• Campus tours

Select Programming

AP Exam Prep for Teachers

• Content and strategies for preparing students for AP exams

• Facilitated by master teachers• Provides simulated AP readings

along with exam prep strategies • Online AP exam prep materials for

students (open access)

Select Programming

AP Exam Review for Students

• Prep sessions taught by AP teachers• Online AP exam review materials for

students (open access)• Exam review event: review sessions

and attendance at professional or college sports event

Select Programming

Intra- and Inter- District Collaboration around AVID and college readiness topics

• Regional AVID District Director meetings

• Team College site meetings• Intra-district Team College

meetings among HS’s, MS’s or feeder patterns

• University and district collaboration

Select Programming

Higher Ed Partners• Recruitment and training of

university students as AVID tutors in school districts

• Develop and host educator professional development and student enrichment

• University as a Hub for collaboration among school districts, AVID and the university

• Creating lines of communication among university student organization and schools

Benefits to University

• Outreach to community

• University students trained as tutors for campus

• Potential pipeline for enrollment of under-represented student groups

• Potential involvement of teacher preparation candidates

• Tutorial process as instructional aid for university students

• Creating networks among like-minded non-profit organizations

Other Foundational Programming

• AVID Professional Learningo Leadership for College Readinesso Path training

• College Readiness Instituteo Integrated AP/Pre-AP and AVID

pedagogy

• Summer Bridge o Algebra Readiness and Communications

• C3: Content, College, Careerso Student enrichment program

Free Resources to Further Your College Readiness Goals

First GenFinancial Aid

AVIDRice University/Higher Ed

Free Resources

www.collegeready.rice.edu/avid2014

Essential Guide to Preparing for College coming soon

AP Exam Review for Students coming soon

First Gen Resources:• Imfirst.org• Generationcollege.rice.edu• www.firstgenerationstudent.com

Financial Aid Resources:• www.fafsa.ed.gov• www.aie.org/scholarships• www.CollegeforallTexans.com• www.TexasRealityCheck.com

Free Resources

AVID Resources:• Support for district and school administration, and

teachers

• College readiness and advanced academics support

• MyAVID website and File Sharing

• AVID website www.avid.org

• Certification Self-Study

• Data collection

Free Resources

Rice Programs (other universities have similar events)• Explore Rice - College Day for Houston area students• Vision – An invitation-only Rice program for underrepresented high school

seniors • Student groups engaged in outreach - Campus tours, tutoring, mentoring,

presentations on college access, workshops for parents. summer college readiness camp for HS students

• Offsite work study – opportunities to utilize student workers using federal financial aid resources

National Higher Ed Resources:• QuestBridge.org – A national organization

helping low-income students attend elite universities

Contact the university welcome center, admissions office, or financial aid office to inquire about opportunities at your local institution.

What will you do?Schools and Districts: What steps have you taken or could be taken immediately to address college readiness at your campus or district?

Universities: What lessons can be learned from the organization and components of the AVID-Rice Initiative that can be used to strengthen your collaboration with local school districts?

A Model for College Readiness: Collaboration Between Universities and School Districts

Dr. Jennifer Gigliotti, gigliotti@rice.edu Sonya Ramirez, sonya.ramirez@rice.edu

Kathy Arno, karno@avid.orgJulie Sanders, jqsander@aol.com