1. Current research and preliminary findings on the eighth to ninth grade and high school to postsecondary transitions Vertical Transitions April 17, 2013 Office of Dropout Prevention and Student Engagement

2.  Introductions  Expanded Definition of 8 th to 9 th Transition  How CGP can Support the 8 th to 9 th Grade Transition  Transition from 12 th Grade to Postsecondary  Question & Answer Agenda 2

3.  “Our country’s educational attainment problem is embedded in the leaky educational pipeline, beginning with the poor transition of students across classrooms (and schools) from kindergarten to 12th grade and then on to and through postsecondary education to credentials, degrees, and jobs.” (Wellman & Soares, 2011)  Bringing Business Analytics to the College Campus, retrieved from http://www.americanprogress.org/wp- content/uploads/issues/2011/09/pdf/business_analytics.pdf Introduction 3

4.  Dr. Alan Davis  University of Colorado Denver 8 th to 9 th Transition 4

5. Compared to other high school grades, ninth grade students nationally have  Lowest grade point average  Most missed classes  Most failing grades  Most misbehavior referrals  Highest enrollment because 22% are repeating the grade Success in ninth grade is critical to on-time graduation from high school. Why a focus on transition to ninth grade? 5

6.  Academic challenges  More rigorous classes, frequent homework assignments  Credits count towards graduation  More inexperienced teachers compared to other grades  Social challenges  Larger school, fewer personal connections  Stresses of making friends, fitting in  Desire for greater independence, less likely to seek out adults Why is the transition to ninth grade challenging to students? 6

7.  Coordination between middle school and high school  Ninth grade orientation, summer academy  Ongoing support during ninth grade How can schools support transitioning ninth graders? 7

8.  Early warning system identifies 8 th grade students likely to experience difficulty in high school  Eighth graders learn about high school credit system, in spring of 8 th grade  Team of ninth grade students, counselors and teachers visit middle school, make presentations to 8 th graders and families  ICAP activities  More than just choosing classes  Throughout the Spring Semester  Middle school and high school counselors meet, coordinate transition activities Coordination between middle school and high school 8

9.  Orientation occurs late in summer before high school begins  May include extended summer academy lasting up to two weeks held in high school  Initial orientation for families as well as students (with language support)  Principal leads introductory assembly  Tour of school  Explanation of credit system, graduation requirements in small groups with questions, discussion  Opportunities to get acquainted with 9 th grade teachers and counselors  Opportunities to discuss personal and career goals Ninth Grade Orientation 9

10. Ninth Grade Academy  A wing of school reserved for ninth grade classes  Teachers of ninth graders form a team with common planning period  Advisory course (“High school 101”) on goal setting and career choices, study habits and time management, test-taking skills, staying organized, monitoring progress, dealing with bullying and racial conflicts, sexual orientation, identity development, ICAP activities  Ninth grade lunch period  Peer mentoring program  Tiered interventions for students in danger of failing courses  Ninth grade teachers given high status (“We need our best teachers teaching ninth graders”) Ongoing support during ninth grade 10

11.  Peter Fritz  Colorado Department of Education How CGP can Support the 8 th to 9 th Grade Transition 11

12. 7 th Grade 9 th Grade 8 th Grade 11 th Grade 12 th Grade 10 th Grade 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 37.4 % 23.7 % 17.3 % 15.4 % 3.4 % 2.8 % Percent of total dropouts by grade level - Colorado public schools Aggregated data from 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 academic years

13. 4.1% 4.8% 8.1% 9.0% 9.2% 18.6% Reported Grade Level (2010-11) Percent of Colorado students over age for their reported grade - by grade level Source: CDE 2010-11 Student End of Year data collection

14. The High School Graduation Initiative grant Who May Apply: SEAs and LEAs on behalf of high schools with annual dropout rates that exceed the State average. Funds also may be used to support activities at middle schools that feed into high schools that have dropout rates that exceed the State average annual date. Examples from the Colorado Graduation Pathways program: Freshman orientation programs Tutoring programs at the middle school for academic subjects most commonly failed in 9 th grade College tours for middle school students

15. Adams 12 Niver Creek MS Northglenn MS Thornton MS C.O.V.A. (grades 7-8) Adams 14 Adams City MS Kearney MS Aurora East MS North MS – Science & Tech Montezuma-Cortez Cortez MS Mapleton M.E.S.A. (grades 7-8) Weld RE-8 Fort Lupton MS Feeder Middle Schools Designated Under the Original District CGP Project Plans

16.  Patrick Millmore  Denver Public Schools Transition from 12 th Grade to Postsecondary 16

17. Colorado data shows:  53.5% of college students attending a 4-year public college and 69.7% attending 4-year private colleges graduate in six years  20.8% of college students attending a 2-year college graduate in three years.  Source: http://collegecompletion.chronicle.com/state/#state=co&sector=public_two Why a focus on transition to postsecondary education? 17

18.  Academic challenges  Remediation needs  Unclear focus  Social challenges  Fewer personal connections  Stress of making friends, fitting in  Desire for greater independence, less likely to seek support  Lack of role models that enrolled in college  Family obligations Why is the transition to postsecondary education challenging to students? 18

19.  Relevant field trips  Based on ICAP/PEP/Career interests  Exposure to a variety of postsecondary institutions  Relate high school classes to postsecondary academic demands  Engage families in transition process  Provide strategies to support their students in the transition  Financial Literacy  CO has tenth highest student loan default rate  Source:http://highered.colorado.gov/Publications/General/StrategicPlanning/MasterPlan 2012/Master_Plan_Final.pdf How can high schools support students transitioning to postsecondary education? 19

20.  First Year Success Programs presentations to high school students, parents, and faculty  College outreach to students expressing interest on senior exit survey  Summer Melt  Follow up during summer/early August Coordination between high school and postsecondary institutions 20

21.  Orientation begins in Spring and lasts through summer before college begins  May include extended summer academy  Presentation about services available at postsecondary campuses  Registration for college campuses at the high school  Initial orientation for families as well as students (with language support)  President or key faculty members leads introductory assembly  Tour of campus (Academic support, library services, career services, counseling services, must include student organizations)  Explanation of how to succeed in first year of college, graduation requirements, etc. in small groups with questions, discussion  Opportunities to get acquainted/speak with faculty members  Opportunities to discuss personal and career goals  Ongoing support (first year success programs) Postsecondary Orientation (students and family members) 21

22. Question & Answer 22

23. 23 Legislation CAP4Kids Counselor Effectiveness School Counselor Corps Grant ICAP Concurrent Enrollment (CE) Act Early High School Grads - new Dropout Recovery – new Tracking Results School Counselor Corps Evaluation Remediation Rates ICAP Study Concurrent Enrollment Reporting College and Career Preparation Concurrent Enrollment (CE) Career and Technical Education 21 st Century Skills Innovations and Individualized Learning ICAP implementation ASCENT Academic Guidance Career Exploration Partnerships: CDE, CDHE, CIC, CCCS ICAP Tutorials CE Advisory Board Endorsed Diplomas Remediation Taskforce College Admission Data Sharing Early College Design Programs Counselor Corps (80 schools) Concurrent Enrollment (25,000 students) ASCENT (281 students) ICAP (240,000 students) FAFSA Completion (30,000 students) DRAFT 03/18/13 DPPR – Misti Ruthven, x6206

24. Presenters:  Dr. Alan Davis, Associate Professor, University of Colorado Denver, Alan.Davis@ucdenver.edu Alan.Davis@ucdenver.edu  Peter Fritz, Colorado Graduation Pathways, Colorado Department of Education, fritz_p@cde.state.co.usfritz_p@cde.state.co.us  Patrick Millmore, ASCENT Manager, Denver Public Schools, Patrick_Millmore@dpsk12.org Patrick_Millmore@dpsk12.org Additional Supports:  Misti Ruthven, Postsecondary Preparation, Colorado Department of Education, ruthven_m@cde.state.co.usruthven_m@cde.state.co.us  Cori Canty, Special Projects Manager, Colorado Department of Education, canty_c@cde.state.co.us canty_c@cde.state.co.us Questions? 24