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

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

2. Panelists Stephanie Carnahan GEAR UP Project Director, Oregon University System Jerome Lynch Education Partnerships J. Howard Johnston University of South Florida Ronald Williamson Eastern Michigan University

3. 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

4. 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

5. Oregon GEAR UP Sites

6. 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 witheducators to ensure success for all students

7. Principal Leadership Program Four Key Elements • 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 seminars • Access to experts, time to plan with staff • • Self-sustaining networks of support • Sharing sessions of success, Podcasts, Visitationsgearup.ous.edu/podcasts.php

8. Popular Resources • Research Into Practice Briefs • Respond to specific questions. • Used for Professional Development and Community Info. • Download here

9. Popular Resources • Special Projects and Reports • Assist in achieving GEAR UP goals. • Hands-on Tools for School Leaders and Teachers. • Download Complete Timeline here

10. RIGOR: Appropriately challenging courses with necessary support RELATIONSHIPS: Peers, staff and parents support college going aspirations RAISING AWARENESS: Promote awareness of college selection, admissions, finances & other steps RELEVANCE: Connecting career aspirations to course taking behaviors RIGHT CLASSES: Early awareness of college prep curriculum Our Model for Change Based onReclaiming the American Dream, Bridgespan Project HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS Professional development Use of data Leadership Partnerships Flexible resources

11. WHAT WORKS? Types of Strategies • 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!”

12. WHAT WORKS for RIGOR? Challenging courses with necessary support and knowledgeable teachers for all students • 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)

13. 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)

14. WHAT WORKS for RELEVANCE? Connecting career aspirations to course- taking behaviors • 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)

15. 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).

16. WHAT WORKS for RIGHT CLASSES? Ensuring awareness and availability of classes to all students for access to higher learning • 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)

17. 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)

18. WHAT WORKS for RELATIONSHIPS? Peers, staff and parents support college going aspirations • 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)

19. WHAT WORKS for RAISING AWARENESS? Promote awareness of college selection, admissions, finances & other steps • 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)

20. Some Success Indicators to Date • • 30% increase in 10thgrade 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

21. Discussion PPT http://ronwilliamson.com/ Oregon GEAR UP http://gearup.ous.edu/ EPI (Resources, Research Briefs, White Papers) http://www.educationpartnerships.org/resources.html Principals Blog http://oregongearupprincipals.blogspot.com/