University of Massachusetts Boston “Learning in Action” A social justice approach: Exploring UMass Boston's service learning partnership with the Boston Public Schools to develop high school students' college and career readiness Laura A. Hayden Amy L. Cook Robert Gracia With Graduate Students: Jason Youmatz & Elizabeth Walsh Learning in Action, 2012

Presentation Focus Learning in Action, 2012 Describes how 6-12 schools and University preparation programs can develop a collaborative partnership that shares a vision for charting bright futures for all students Describes how integrating service learning in curricula impacts students in a school counseling preparation program Pedagogical Foundation: Service learning & curriculum based service

Partnership Spring 2007 (Year 1 -- Pilot) 1 high school (9-12 grades) 5 practicum students 1 university instructor Spring 2008 (Year 2) Expanded to 3 high schools 26 practicum students 3 university instructors Spring 2009 (Year 3) Continued in 3 high schools 22 practicum students 3 university instructors Spring 2010 (Year 4) Expanded to middle school (Grades 6-9) Continued in 2 high schools (Grades 10-12) 23 practicum students 4 university instructors Spring 2011 (Year 5) Continued in 2 high schools 24 practicum students 3 university instructors Learning in Action, 2012

Spring 2012 (Year 6) Continued in 1 middle/high School (Grades 6-12) Expanded to 1 new high school (Grades 9-12) 23 practicum students 2 university instructors (1 per site) Learning in Action, 2012

Practicum Field Experience Learning in Action, hour school counseling practicum in an urban setting Service Learning: Mentor students in grades 6-12 for post- secondary education Practicum students supervised by University faculty who remain at the middle and high schools throughout the day Unique supervisory model allows graduate students frequent access to University faculty for guidance Targeted lessons are geared toward developing multicultural competencies and self-efficacy as counselor trainees

Demographics: TechBoston Academy Learning in Action, 2012

Demographics: Urban Science Academy Learning in Action, 2012

SERVICES OUTCOMES Service Learning Learning in Action, 2012

TechBoston Academy Learning in Action, 2012 School Guidance Curriculum UMB students deliver college & career readiness lessons Individual Student Planning UMB students support TBA students on college/career readiness Responsive Services UMB students respond to academic concerns System Support UMB students analyze data on achievement patterns through PSAT results

Urban Science Academy Learning in Action, 2012 School Guidance Curriculum UMB students taught SAT-prep curriculum during ELA UMB students introduce USA students to college app. process Individual Student Planning UMB students provide 3 10 th grade students with academic support Services provided individually and in groups UMB students focus on college/career selection with 3 11 th grade students Responsive Services UMB students respond to USA students’ academic needs through organization and study skill support UMB students discuss personal/academic issues affecting achievement System Support UMB students use Jupiter grades to access USA students’ grades to inform achievement patterns and identify academic needs UMB student college absenteeism and college transition data to support action research project

Outcomes: Counselor Perspective "The main purpose of practicum is to provide field experience, hopefully giving the student an opportunity to put into practice what has been taught in the classroom. This experience is complementary to classroom work simply because real life happens in the real world, not within the confines of a lecture hall. I cannot think of any other means by which students can prepare for work in an urban school without participating in an urban practicum. In today's world, many concerns and issues are universal for young people. However, some are particular to urban school children and dominate much of our time as urban educators." Learning in Action, 2012

Outcomes: Student Perspective Learning in Action, 2012

Outcomes: Professor Perspective Multicultural competencies: Targeted development of multicultural competencies and social justice awareness Self-efficacy: Targeted development of self-efficacy competencies Learning in Action, 2012

Systemic Challenges Administrative turnover Financial crisis resulting in  Layoffs  Re-organization Lack of coordination of multiple outside support services Traditional guidance model firmly entrenched Guidance Counselors given many non-guidance duties Learning in Action, 2012

UMB Practicum Challenges & Opportunities CHALLENGE: UMB students don’t have enough time to meet with their assigned students OPPORTUNITY: UMB students will only work with the 11 th grade students who are in their SAT prep class Learning in Action, 2012

Partner Opportunities Schools receive additional support from eager, motivated graduate students Principals are open to thinking about different ways of service delivery MS/HS students receive culturally sensitive interventions Students receive targeted college/career readiness training Learning in Action, 2012

Practicum Student Opportunities Practicum students are challenged to think about systemic solutions and ways to introduce the Massachusetts Model for School Counseling Programs Practicum students increase competence with data collection and analysis Practicum students bring idealism and energy Learning in Action, 2012

Partnership Opportunities UMB Practicum supervisors are on-site with the UMB students...  Provide direct supervision to the students  Serve in a consulting role with school counselors and principals  Each cohort is challenged to leave a “legacy” that allows for the growth and development of new programming that will become “institutionalized” Learning in Action, 2012

Lessons Learned Partnerships are hard work! Graduate students can learn first hand about what is involved in trying to lead systemic change Graduate students can be agents of change Principals MUST be part of the process! Learning in Action, 2012

Future Directions Regular meetings with University faculty, onsite counselors, and administrators to plan strategically for data driven, standards-based developmental guidance programming that can be delivered by practicum students Data collection and analysis around college readiness indicators Coordination of services with multiple outside partners Learning in Action, 2012

Questions & Comments Learning in Action, 2012 Contact us: Laura Hayden: Amy Cook: Bob Gracia: