Encouraging Students to Pursue Academic Rigor

1. Encouraging Students to Pursue Academic Rigor Presented by: Scott Power New Hampshire Scholars Director Deb Connell NH Department of Education

2. What is NH Scholars? Challenge Your Students • 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. 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.

3. Who can be a NH Scholar? Program targets all students • Generally, 25% of students already on board • Main target: Remaining 75% of student body 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.)

4. Show Me the Money to help pay for college 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

5. Preparing students for a successful future New Hampshire Scholars 4-year planner process • Parents • Students • Signed contract

6. 4-YearCollege Workforce (Civilian & Military) Community or Technical College New Hampshire Scholars Have More Options in Their Chosen Career Pathway Encourages students to go above and beyond high school graduation requirements.

7. Business Partnerships Critical Component • 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 Business volunteers help students understand that the choices they make today have a direct impact on their career and business success tomorrow. 70% of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will require an education beyond high school. Source: Dept. of Labor

8. Preparing students for 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 certainsubject areas

9. Preparing students for a successful future 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.

10. Why Is Rigor So Important? 4 Reasons • The World is flat. • The U.S. is falling behind. • The magnitude of our competition is changing. • The nature of our work is changing. Ken Kay, 21st Century Skills, 2007

11. Discussion Encouraging students to pursue academic rigor is critical to prepare them for a successful future. • How does your district support this? (Or how have you seen districts supporting this?) • Why is rigor important?

12. How are we doing?

13. Early Awareness 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 27% of ninth gradersgraduate from college Source: National Service for Public Policy in Higher Education

14. Too Many Students Need College Remediation in Core Subjects Percentage of US First Year Students in 2- and 4-year College Institutions Requiring Remediation 28% 22% 14% 11% Percentage

15. Most US College Students Who Take Remedial Courses Fail to Earn Degrees 76% 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 63% Percentage of College Students Not Earning Degrees by Type of Remediation

16. 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?” 62% 72% Peter D. Hart Assoc. – Achieve 2005

17. Graduates Would Have Worked Harder If High School Had Demanded More 82% 80% 17% 18% 64% 63% 15% 18% High school graduates who went to college High school graduates who did not go to college Peter D. Hart Assoc. – Achieve 2005

18. Higher Performing High Schools • Have very clear goals. Even when they start with high dropout rates, they focus students on college. • Put all kids—not just some—in a demanding high school core curriculum. • Work very hard on the quality, consistency and rigor of high school courses. Education Trust, 2007High School Redesign Toolbox

19. How does New Hampshire Scholars support this? • Engagement • Commitment • Support

20. What does academic rigor meanto you? NH needs your feedback • How would you define academic rigor and relevance? • What do high schools need to do to graduate students that are college and work ready?

21. New Hampshire Scholars Model for Achieving Academic Rigor Early awareness presentation delivered by business reps Incentives to stay on track Senior recognition event(s) GRADES 8 9 10 11 12

22. Questions? Scott Power Director New Hampshire Scholars 3 Barrell Court Concord, NH 03301 603.225.4199 x300 spower@nhcuc.org Deb ConnellEducation Consultant NH Department of Education 101 Pleasant Street Concord, NH 03301 603.271.3769 dconnell@ed.state.nh.us www.NHscholars.org