encouraging students to pursue academic rigor presented by: scott power new hampshire scholars...
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Encouraging Encouraging Students to Students to
Pursue Pursue Academic RigorAcademic Rigor
Presented by:
Scott PowerNew Hampshire Scholars Director
Deb ConnellNH Department of Education
What is NH Scholars?
• National program using business leaders to motivate students, beginning in 8th grade, to complete a rigorous course of study
• Helps students attain skills they need in work & life: the ability to tackle challenging work & learn what they need to know to do it
• This program will increase postsecondary attendance rates, decrease drop out rates and encourage all students to achieve their personal best.
Challenge Your Students
90% of high school freshmen say they expect to go on to college, while only
44% take the college prep courses necessary for college admission.
Who can be a NH Scholar?
• Generally, 25% of students already on board
• Main target: Remaining 75% of student body
Program targets all students
What does a NH Scholar receive?• Gold medallion at graduation• NH Scholars seal on diploma• Electronic indication on transcript• Increased academic and financial rewards (postsecondary acceptance, scholarships, career networking, etc.)
Show Me the Money
Any student seeking aid of any kind must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) every year to remain eligible.
New Hampshire Scholars will have additional grant opportunities.
• Academic Competitiveness Grant • National SMART Grant • Local scholarships• Institutional aid
to help pay for college
New Hampshire Scholars 4-year planner process
• Parents
• Students
• Signed contract
Preparing studentsfor a successful future
4-YearCollege4-YearCollege
Workforce(Civilian & Military)
Workforce(Civilian & Military)
Community or Technical
College
Community or Technical
College
New Hampshire Scholars Course of Study
99thth 1010thth 1111thth 12th12th
English IEnglish I English IIEnglish II English IIIEnglish III English IVEnglish IV
Algebra IAlgebra I GeometryGeometry Algebra IIAlgebra II
Physical SciencePhysical Science BiologyBiology ChemistryChemistry PhysicsPhysics
World HistoryWorld History Economics/ Govt.Economics/ Govt. U.S. HistoryU.S. History World World GeographyGeography
2 years of the same Foreign Language2 years of the same Foreign Language
New Hampshire Scholars Have More New Hampshire Scholars Have More Options in Their Chosen Career PathwayOptions in Their Chosen Career Pathway
Encourages students to go
above and beyond high school graduation
requirements.
Business Partnerships
• Leaders in the business community deliver the message directly to students about the importance of high school coursework and its impact on their future success.
• Connect with school coordinators to provide workshops, activities and mentoring opportunities
• Students learn the 21st century skills that today’s employers require
Critical Component
70% of the 30 fastest-growing jobs
will require an education beyond high school.
Source: Dept. of Labor
Business volunteers help students understand that
the choices they make today have a direct impact
on their career and business success tomorrow.
Preparing studentsfor a successful future
The single greatest predictor of high school success is student preparation in early years.
NH Scholars is helping establish trends:• Increased 8th grade enrollment in Algebra I• Increased enrollment in science and foreign
language courses (particularly chemistry & physics)
• Increased enrollment in 3rd/4th year math courses• Increased number of sections offered in certain
subject areas
Preparing students
The single greatest predictor of post-high school success is:
QUALITY AND INTENSITY OF HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM
Cliff Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box, U.S.D.E.
for a successful future
• The World is flat.
• The U.S. is falling behind.
• The magnitude of our competition is changing.
• The nature of our work is changing.
Why Is Rigor So Important?4 Reasons
Ken Kay, 21st Century Skills, 2007
Discussion
• How does your district support this? (Or how have you seen districts supporting this?)
• Why is rigor important?
Encouraging students to pursue academic rigor is critical to prepare them for a successful future.
How are we doing?
Tracking NH students through college graduation
For every 100 students in 9th grade
• 46 enter a 4-year college
• 35 return for their second year
• 27 graduate with a 4-year degree
Early Awareness
27% of ninth gradersgraduate from college
Source: National Service for Public Policy in Higher Education
Too Many Students Need College Remediation in Core Subjects
0 10 20 30
Reading
Writing
Math
Reading, Writing & Math
11%
14%
22%
28%
Percentage
Percentage of US First Year Students in 2-
and 4-year College
Institutions Requiring
Remediation
Most US College Students Who Take Remedial Courses Fail to Earn Degrees
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
RemedialReading
RemedialMath
Percentage of College Students Not Earning Degrees by Type of Remediation
76%
63% Many college students who need remediation, especially in reading and math, do not earn either an associate or
bachelors degree.
NCES, The Condition of Education, 2004
Students Would Have Taken Harder Courses
“Knowing what you know today about the expectations of college/work …
Would you have taken more challenging courses in at least one subject area?”
56 58 60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74
Non-College
College 62%
72%
Peter D. Hart Assoc. – Achieve 2005
If High School Had Demanded More
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
Would have workedharder
Strongly feel wouldhave worked harder
Wouldn't haveworked harder
High school graduates who went to college
High school graduates who did not go to college
Peter D. Hart Assoc. – Achieve 2005
18%
80%82%
17%
64% 63%
15% 18%
Graduates Would Have Worked Harder
Higher Performing High Schools
1. Have very clear goals. Even when they start with high dropout rates, they focus students on college.
2. Put all kids—not just some—in a demanding high school core curriculum.
3. Work very hard on the quality, consistency and rigor of high school courses.
Education Trust, 2007High School Redesign Toolbox
How does New Hampshire Scholars support this?
• Engagement
• Commitment
• Support
What does academic rigor meanto you?
1.How would you define academic rigor and relevance?
2.What do high schools need to do to graduate students that are college and work ready?
NH needs your feedback
New Hampshire Scholars Model for Achieving Academic Rigor
Early awareness presentation delivered by business reps
Early awareness presentation delivered by business reps
Incentives to stayIncentives to stayon trackon track
Incentives to stayIncentives to stayon trackon track
Senior recognition
event(s)
Senior recognition
event(s)
88 9 10 119 10 119 10 119 10 11 1212
GRADES
Questions?Questions?
Scott PowerDirectorNew Hampshire Scholars3 Barrell CourtConcord, NH 03301603.225.4199 [email protected]
Deb ConnellEducation ConsultantNH Department of Education101 Pleasant StreetConcord, NH [email protected]
www.NHscholars.org