Getting MS Kids on Track to College:Leadership Lessons From GEAR UP Oregon

Panelists

Stephanie CarnahanGEAR UP Project Director, Oregon University System

Jerome LynchEducation Partnerships

J. Howard JohnstonUniversity of South Florida

Ronald WilliamsonEastern Michigan University

Presentation Outline

GEAR UP Oregon and EPI connection

Principals’ Leadership Program

Goal: Setting MS students On Track for College

Programs and Resources from Oregon GEAR UP

Discussion

Oregon GEAR UP

• Six-year program, starting with students in 7th grade and follow through HS

• All students at GEAR UP schools receive indirect benefits through professional development, new programs, etc.

• Most of the program activities are generated by staff in the middle and high schools. We provide funds ($35-$45K) for these activities and augment them with statewide services

Oregon GEAR UP Sites

Education Partnerships, Inc.

• 501(c)3 Business/education partnership consulting firm

• 20+ Years of national experience• Education consultants across the country: NY, MA, CT, GA, FL, MI, TX, CA, SC, AZ, IL, ME,

WA

• Turnkey operation

• Nationally recognized – 40+ national, state & local awards, Nat’l Governor’s Award, NASSP Service Award

• Committed to working with educators to ensure success for all students

• Leadership mentor (guide on the side) On-site visits, communication, resources

• Professional resources Research briefs, publications, best practices

educationpartnerships.org/resources_tools.html educationpartnerships.org/resources_researchbrief.html gearup.ous.edu/gusaccess/education_research_briefs.php

• Regional meetings and seminarsAccess to experts, time to plan with staff

• Self-sustaining networks of supportSharing sessions of success, Podcasts, Visitationsgearup.ous.edu/podcasts.php

Principal Leadership ProgramFour Key Elements

Popular Resources

Research Into Practice Briefs

• Respond to specific questions.

• Used for Professional Development and Community Info.

• Download here

Popular Resources

Special Projects and Reports

• Assist in achieving GEAR UP goals.

• Hands-on Tools for School Leaders and Teachers.

• Download Complete Timeline here

Professional development

Our Model for Change

HIGH EXPECTATIONSFOR ALL STUDENTS

RIGOR: Appropriately challenging courses with necessary support

RELEVANCE: Connecting career aspirations to course taking behaviors

RIGHT CLASSES: Early awareness of college prep curriculum

RAISING AWARENESS: Promote awareness of college selection, admissions, finances & other steps

RELATIONSHIPS: Peers, staff and parents support college going aspirations

Use of data

Partnerships

Leadership

Flexible resources

Based on Reclaiming the American Dream, Bridgespan Project

 

Professional Development focused on local conditions and schools.

Collaboration across faculties, schools and districts.

Intense efforts to involve family in promoting college attendance.

Student opportunities to imagine themselves in college – and successful.

Early and continuous planning to make college a reality.

An attitude shift: “Yes, our kids can do this!”

WHAT WORKS?

Types of Strategies

Double ups: Students behind in math or reading take both the ability level & the grade level class. (Fleming MS – Podcast)

Tutoring Support: Help with upcoming or previous assignments. (La Pine MS)

Proficiency Based Learning with Friday interventions: a 4 day school week & 1 day of support if needed. (Taft Jr.-Sr. HS – Podcast)

WHAT WORKS for RIGOR?Challenging courses with necessary support and knowledgeable teachers for all students

 

Freshman Academy: Ensure all students on track for college through MS/HS collaboration. (N. Marion MS & HS – Podcast)

Peer Professional Development: Teachers learn from each other. (La Pine MS - Podcast)

Professional Text Studies: Teachers choose and read together educational and/or improvement books for discussion (Stanfield Secondary School – Podcast)

WHAT WORKS for RIGOR?Challenging courses with necessary support and knowledgeable teachers for all students

 

Middle Level Teachers Trained to use Career Information System to create personal education plans for each student. (http://oregoncis.uoregon.edu/home/)

Community Registered Teachers: Professionals from community teach specialized courses (Reedsport Community School - Podcast)

WHAT WORKS for RELEVANCE?Connecting career aspirations to course-

taking behaviors

 

Career Photo booth: course requirements and commitment. (Available to all schools)

Career Nights, Fairs and Speakers (toolkit available on GU website)

Community College Linking Days: Tie careers to college programs

College Displays in Schools feature college and career links (2 & 4 year).

WHAT WORKS for RELEVANCE?Connecting career aspirations to course-

taking behaviors

 

College and Career Advisory Program: helps develop necessary application materials for 2 or 4 year college. (South Umpqua Schools - Podcast)

Flipped Classrooms: all students have access to higher level classes through internet-based night courses and follow-up instruction during day classes (Irrigon Jr./Sr. HS – Upcoming podcast)

WHAT WORKS for RIGHT CLASSES?Ensuring awareness and availability of

classes to all students for access to higher learning

 

Changing Faculty Stereotypes regarding college going population (Lost River Jr. – Sr. HS – Upcoming podcast)

Credit by Proficiency: Altering time for learning and speed of learning with support (Taft Jr. – Sr. HS - Podcast)

WHAT WORKS for RIGHT CLASSES?Ensuring awareness and availability of

classes to all students for access to higher learning

 

HS Buddy: HS students provide positive role model and help MS kids with academics (Powers Jr. and Sr. High School – Upcoming podcast)

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support: raises teacher self confidence, helps value and accept all students (Azalea MS & Brookings HS - Podcast)

In School Support Systems through role modeling of faculty and commitment boards for students (Most schools)

WHAT WORKS for RELATIONSHIPS?Peers, staff and parents support college

going aspirations

 

Convene parents to share info and stories of student success. (N. Douglas Schools)

Delayed Graduation: help with finances and transition to college (Sweet Home Schools - Podcast)

College Visitations & Speakers (toolkit

available on GU site)

Summer College Camps: multi day college camps sponsored by GEAR UP and multiple campuses (videos on GU YouTube site)

WHAT WORKS for RAISING AWARENESS?Promote awareness of college selection,

admissions, finances & other steps

• 30% increase in 10th grade reading scores

• 53% increase in 10th grade math scores

• 21% increase in 10th grade science scores

• 20% increase in 10th grade writing scores

• 33% increase in AP and dual credit offering schools

• 11 to 20% increase in student and parents familiar with college or trade school entrance requirements

• 29% increase in the number of middle school students using Oregon CIS

• 400% increase in MS students visiting college campuses

• 96% of students report their peers are planning on attending college

• 92% of families expect their students to attend college

Some Success Indicators to Date

Discussion

 

PPThttp://ronwilliamson.com/

Oregon GEAR UPhttp://gearup.ous.edu/

EPI (Resources, Research Briefs, White Papers)http://www.educationpartnerships.org/resources.html

Principals Blog http://oregongearupprincipals.blogspot.com/