1. Jonathan Williams, Executive Director & Kenneth Parker, Program Director

2. Welcome & Introductions Objectives College Readiness Assessment Reach for College! Video College Readiness Skills Overview of RFC! materials Implementation of the RFC! curriculum College Readiness Institute (CRI) Sample Lesson (time permitting) Session Evaluation

3. Review of RFC curriculum by grade level, teacher manuals, and workbooks Integration of RFC in your high schoola whole school model Specific ways the RFC program can prepare students for college Overview of College Readiness Institute

4. Position & Length of Time in Position What is one thing you hope to gain from todays session? What skills or resources would better assist you in preparing students for college? What preparation, if any, did you receive prior to working in your role? Include contact information

5. Mission: To increase the number of traditionally disadvantaged students accessing and graduating from a postsecondary education. We believe:...all students should aim for some sort of education after high school....all students can succeed if they are determined enough....it is important to help low-income students because these students represent 17% of the students in the country.

7. The Reach for College! curriculum has been used over the past five years with nearly 12,000 students in the D.C. and Prince Georges County Public Schools. Grades 9-12 In 16 schools with the lowest college-going rates. Some of schools we have served are indicated on the following slide.

8. * Booker T. Washington PCS Ballou Senior High School Cesar Chavez Public Charter School - Parkside Cesar Chavez Public Charter School – Capitol Hill *Cardozo *Dunbar Eastern Senior High School Hospitality PCS *The Next Step PCS Thurgood Marshall Public Charter School SEED PCS – DC SEED PCS – MD Urban Leadership Institute – Baltimore, MD Washington Math, Science and Technology PCS *Crossland (PGCPS) *Potomac (PGCPS) USTA Program – New Jersey

9. Key Content Knowledge reading and writing skills are basic to college and career success Contextual Skillsthe practical skills for getting into and succeeding in college, which include: understanding college admissions, placement testing, financial aid, academic norms, time-management and expectations of college life Habits of Mind critical thinking, problem-solving, inquisitiveness, researching, analyzing and presenting conclusions Social and emotional adjustment to more independence, prioritizing responsibilities, self-advocacy, financial responsibility

10. Key Content Knowledge reading and writing skills are basic to college and career success, but no content specific to a subject area other English Contextual Skillsthe practical skills for getting into and succeeding in college, which include: understanding college admissions, placement testing, financial aid, academic norms, time-management and expectations of college life Habits of Mind critical thinking, problem-solving, inquisitiveness, researching, analyzing and presenting conclusions Social and emotional adjustment to more independence, prioritizing responsibilities, self-advocacy, financial responsibility

11. Is there a structured curriculum that focuses on the broad range of these college-readiness skills? Yes The Reach for College! curriculum & program.

12. On mid-year surveys, students say: 87% say they feel the RFC class is preparing them for college 86% say they would recommend the class to a friend.

13. Schools choose how they want to implement the curriculum and with which students. Here are some of the ways it has been done: With a single class of seniors in a senior seminar course. With a single class of 10 th graders or 11 th graders. With every junior in the school as part of a required SAT prep class.

14. Integrated into a junior or senior English class In a daily advisory period With every student in the school, grades 9-12 In other words the curriculum is flexible and can be used in a variety of ways that fit into a schools academic program.

15. The RFC curriculum helps students succeed in high school, set goals and prepare for college & careers. Cost is approximately $23 per student

16. 9 th Grade 10 th Grade 11 th grade 12 th grade (1 st semester) 12 th grade (2 nd semester)

17. N INTH G RADE S KILLS F OR S UCCESS Welcome to high schoolwhat to expect and tips for smooth transition Goal-setting for high school & beyond Interest and ability exploration to link to possible careers to think about Study skills and time-management Good decision-making The importance of attitude 137 pages, © 2008

18. S KILLS FOR S UCCESS N OW AND A FTER G RADUATION Introduction to college access and benefits of postsecondary education College-level reading, writing, time- management skills to improve GPA in high school and to practice using these skills for later college success Goal-setting and importance of attitude in success 148 pages, © 2006 3 rd printing © 2009

19. C AREER S KILLS FOR S UCCESS AFTER G RADUATION Benefits of postsecondary education Career exploration and educational planning for career SAT Prep College search and practice applications Essay-writing Employability skills Interview skills 119 pages, © 2006 3 rd printing © 2009

20. A PPLY FOR S UCCESS AFTER G RADUATION Career and educational goal-setting SAT Prep College selection and application In-depth essay-writing for applications Financial aid and scholarship applications 109 pages, © 2006 2 nd printing © 2008

21. C OLLEGE & REAL LIFE SKILLS FOR SUCCESS AFTER GRADUATION Issues in transitioning from high school & home to college Time-management, organization & study skills for academic success Resources for assistance available on campuses Personal problem-solving & decision- making Real life finances & managing financial aid Tips for commuting, working or parenting students 138 pages, © 2006 2 nd printing © 2008

22. Include suggested activities Pacing charts Some supplemental materials Lists of words frequently found on the SAT, crossword puzzles for vocabulary development, tests for those words

23. For the transition to high school, accompanies the 9 th grade student book H ELP Y OUR C HILD S UCCEED IN H IGH S CHOOL Help your child set goals for success in high school and beyond Promote education beyond high school as the best choice for success in life How to get to education beyond high school and how to pay for it Help your child be responsible and self-disciplined Encourage a positive attitude 40 pages, © 2008

24. For the transition to college, accompanies the 12 grade Apply book G ETTING Y OUR C HILD INTO C OLLEGE Why college is the best option for your child Help your child prepare for high school graduation How to choose and apply to college or training programs Understanding the SAT What you need to know about financial aid Help your child prepare for college life 39 pages, © 2007

25. Accompanies 9 th grade bookAccompanies 12 th grade book

27. National Completion Agenda College Readiness for DCs Students Race To The Top Graduation rates of development education students

28. Thinking ahead to postsecondary education from the early grades Certainly, they need to be focused on college and preparing for it from Day One in 9 th grade Removing limits on the lives of young people Without this goal on the part of students, teachers & parents, students inevitably fall short in all sorts of ways Mending a broken pipeline from high school to college Students get to the end of high school without a plan or the skills needed to succeed in college or a career

29. A multi-day, intensive professional development Institute

30. Community of Learners representing high school and college. Share expertise, experience, wisdom and to learn from each other. To begin a conversation with colleagues to continue for weeks and months as they continued to share materials, ideas, and support.

31. To inspire with a vision of college-readiness. To raise educators expectations of students. To provide practical strategies and materials that could be used right away. To help educators create their own materials for their own students that would help them toward college-readiness.

32. Why are college- and career-readiness important? Nationally The US has fallen behind in the number of college graduates, now ranking 10 th in the world. The average Black and Latino college graduate is considered to be at least 4 years behind their White counterparts in terms of educational and economic status President Obama has said that college and career-readiness should be the standard for high school endeavors.

33. Why are college- and career-readiness important? Locally In Washington, D.C., only 29% of students go to college and only 9% graduate. By 2014, 80% of jobs in D.C. will require some postsecondary education. Majority of D.C. young adults cannot get good jobs in their home town.

34. 9:00-12:00 Several whole group sessions with speakers on national and local college-readiness data, raising expectations, inspiration, etc. 1:00-3:30Choice of two small groups sessions given by pairing of a high school master teacher and a college teacher on specific topics, such as improving writing skills. Part of the time was devoted to participants creating their own lessons building on skill presented 3:30-4:00Feedback to large group

35. Why are college and career-readiness important? Are college- and career-readiness the same thing? Are our students currently prepared for college and careers? What does college/career readiness look like? If our students are not currently prepared, what can we do to better prepare them? What target goals should we have so well know when weve attained them and been successful?

36. Critical thinking College-level reading skills College-level writing skills Technology skills Research skills Habits of mind

40. CCDC provided certificates for participants to teach Freshman Seminar RFC provided Continuing Education Units

41. 46 teachers, guidance counselors, program coordinators attended and completed the Institute Participants came from 7 States and the District of Columbia 93% of participants said they thought all these Institute goals were met: Provided with information you can utilize professionally and/or personally. The opportunity to meet and collaborate with other educators. Practical strategies and tools to prepare students for success in postsecondary education.

42. One person wrote on her evaluation, now I know the difference between college-eligible and college-ready. Another wrote, I didnt expect to leave with info and strategies that will change my philosophy and performance, but I did.

43. Why are college- and career-readiness important for young people? Ask the audience.

44. Ask the audience

45. Receiving a Certificate from Dr. Gueverra

46. Jonathan Williams, Executive Director jwilliams@reachforcollege.org or Kenneth Parker, Program Director kparker@reachforcollege.org