Academic Achievement in Urban Settings: Sharing Ideas & Best Practices Amy Cook, Don Coverdale, Brad Toney, & Laura Hayden MASCA 2014, Leominster, MA

Overview Multiple barriers to academic achievement exist among students in urban settings Goals of today’s discussion: ▫Share recent findings in research and practice ▫Facilitate discussion to exchange ideas and best practices to assist students in urban settings to overcome challenges to achieve

Statistics Achievement gap persists: ▫African American and Latino students drop out of school more frequently and have lower high school graduation rates compared to their White non-Latino counterparts Barriers to academic achievement: ▫Failing and under-resourced schools, residing in unsafe/poor neighborhoods, acculturation challenges, limited English language acquisition, racism, and familial and socioeconomic barriers (Villalba, Akos, Keeter, & Ames, 2007). Nation-wide in 2008 roughly just 13% of African American and Latino students took the SAT compared to 60% of White students College affordability issues

Statistics Economic impact: 2012 median average weekly earnings for >=25 years old ▫$471 no HS diploma ▫$652 with HS diploma ▫$1,066 with Bachelor’s Unemployment rates: 2012 unemployment >=25 years old ▫12.4% no HS diploma ▫4.5% with Bachelor’s By the year 2025, projected Hispanic school-aged population (ages 5-19) is estimated to reach over 20.1 million (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008). Projected African American school-aged population by the year 2025 is expected to reach 9.9 million (U.S. Census Bureau, 2008).

Recommended Interventions Culturally sensitive interventions ▫Building trusting relationships, reaching out to families, setting appropriate boundaries, emphasizing strengths Family and community partnerships Fostering collaboration and enhancing school climate

Recommended Interventions College and career ready ▫Alignment with Common Core Standards ▫Setting high expectations (e.g., open policy AP/honors coursework, holding all students accountable to school-wide behavioral plan) ▫Financing higher education & immigration status ▫DACA Deferred Action

Immigration Assistance Jeff Gross Director, New Americans Integration Institute MIRA Coalition (web: miracoalition.org ) Tel: x228 Luis M. Gomez, Lead Organizer SIM (Student Immigrant Movement) Affiliate of United We Dream web: simforus.com

Sharing Best Practices K-12 intervention: What barriers do students encounter preventing academic success at your school? What are some interventions you have implemented at your school that you have found to be helpful? What are some effective ways that school counselors are working with ELL students at your school?

Urban Counselors Association Mission: To enhance the lives of urban students. Unites urban counselors across the state through meaningful PD activities and internet-based resources

Urban Counselors Objectives To unite professionals engaged or interested in some phase of school counseling or admission work specific to urban areas of MA To serve as a vehicle to bring its members current information regarding school counseling or admission services specific to urban areas of MA To initiate change through public relations and advocacy efforts with legislative and community groups in support of school counseling or admission services in urban areas To provide professional development opportunities specific to the needs of urban students To provide a support network for members To act as a clearinghouse for members who are seeking to network for new positions