Community-Based College & Career Readiness Programs Betsey McFarland, Executive Director Wade Edwards Foundation & Learning Lab (WELL)

College Ready  “level of preparation a student needs to enroll and succeed – without remediation – in a credit-bearing general education course at a 2-year or 4-year institution, trade school or technical school” (ACT)

 ACT/SAT test scores still the most familiar indicator of college readiness  However – while graduation rates continue to improve, ACT/SAT test scores remain flat even though more and more students are taking the tests  40% of traditional undergraduates take at least one remedial course (disproportionate number of these students are economically disadvantaged, not native English speakers and/or are students of color)  Likelihood of not graduating college increases with the number of remedial classes taken

College “ready” is not college “access”  81% of students from wealthy families enroll in college and 75% of those students complete an undergraduate degree by age 24  And while college enrollment for low-income students is up – 45%, only 1 in 5 of those students complete their undergraduate degree by age 24 University of Pennsylvania’s Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy and the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education.

Career Ready A career-ready person effectively navigates pathways that connect education and employment to achieve a fulfilling, financially- secure and successful career. A career is more than just a job. Career readiness has no defined endpoint. To be career ready in our ever-changing global economy requires adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning, along with mastery of key knowledge, skills and dispositions that vary from one career to another and change over time as a person progresses along a developmental continuum. Knowledge, skills and dispositions that are inter-dependent and mutually reinforcing. from the Career Ready Partnership Council

Career Ready  Academic and Technical Knowledge & Skills  Employability Knowledge, Skills & Dispositions – 21 st Century skills like Critical thinking, collaboration, communication, creativity, adaptability, imagination, entrepreneurship  63% (higher) of jobs in the US will require some form of postsecondary education – global labor market; more advanced levels of math, science and language arts

 When we combine college & career readiness definitions we breakdown the silos between education and workforce preparation.  Students from higher socioeconomic backgrounds can more easily access learning opportunities and resources that promote career readiness through networks of family, friends and other options.  Economically disadvantaged youth often have little access to these opportunities and services.

The national effort to advance college & career readiness is not new. And while there is great variation between States in their definitions, there are some common elements across state lines:  Academic knowledge  Critical thinking/problem solving  Social Emotional learning/collaboration/communication  Grit/resilience/perseverance  Citizenship/community involvement

There is a growing body of evidence that when schools and community organizations work together to support learning, everyone benefits – students, families, schools, and community partners

Community-based  Outside of regular school hours  Community Nonprofit  Sponsored  Faith-based

Key research in the Expanded Learning and Afterschool Project points to the power of quality expanded learning (afterschool) learning opportunities to:  Promote students success and college and career readiness  Build youth assets such as character, resilience and wellness  Foster partnerships that maximize resources and build community ties  Engage families in their children’s learning in meaningful ways

Despite these benefits, the majority of programs are geared toward young children In a study from America After 3pm only 12% of high school students participate in an afterschool program

Introducing the WELL Mission: to provide the student community with opportunities for achievement, enrichment and service in preparation for personal and academic success. The WELL serves students throughout Wake County, although our afterschool students predominantly come from Broughton. Uniquely serves only high school students. Focuses on academic support, social/emotional learning, life skills and career exploration, STEM, leadership and community service.

Programs  Tutoring  WELL Rounded  Teen Talk  CAPSmart  Bridge to College  Hi Tech Teens  ACT/SAT test prep  Elizabeth Edwards Fellows  WELL Ambassadors  Summer programs

Future Goals WELL on Wheels