Freshman On Track Chicago Public Schools Freshman Connections: A Strategic Approach US Department of Education College Access Affinity Group April 30 th, 2013

Developing Your FOT Strategy Taking Inventory: The School Inventory process/form should be completed during the planning period. It is necessary to list the faculty and staff overseeing all programs in your school because these may be some of your key stakeholders. The school inventory sheet may cover the following areas: Transition to High School Attendance Course Performance Personalization Grades Credit Recovery Each area is broken down to include the following: Activity, Faculty/Staff Leader(s), Objective, Description, Students Targeted, Actual Participation, Observations, Follow-up questions.

Key Steps 1.Review the findings 2. Conduct a needs assessment 3. Develop and implement your strategic plan 4. Identify key players in your school and set up freshman teacher meetings 5. Plan and implement 8th and 9th grade articulation programs such as High School Investigation Day, Freshmen Connection and Freshmen Orientation for your incoming freshmen

Key Steps (Continued) 6. Use the freshmen Watch list and Success reports throughout the year to identify trends and the need for specific targeted interventions 7. Conduct interventions with students and track progress 8. Survey all the students and conduct focus groups 9. Compare your new FOT rate to previous years (baseline) 10. Review your results and assess which strategies and interventions that worked best at your school.

Needs Assessment

One Strategy: Freshman Connections 8 th - 9 TH Grade High School Summer Transition Program Promote basic strategies to be a successful freshman Decrease anxieties among freshmen students entering high school Promote healthy interactions between rising 9 th graders, their teachers and upperclassmen Reinforce expectations about academic performance, positive behavior and goal setting

Freshman Connections: Who Participates? 8 th Grade Bridge Extended School Year (ESY) GEAR UP Service Learning Step Up Youth Engaged In School (YES)

Freshman Connections: Staffing Needs 1.High School Investigation Coordinator 2.Freshman Connection Administrator ( paid by school ) 3.Kid Start AM/PM Coordinator ( possible PSESD staff person ) 4.Summer Transition Counselor 5.3 Day Orientation Coordinator 6.Freshman Connection/Kid Start Clerk 7.Freshman Connection PM Coordinator (possible PSESD staff person) 8. Freshman Connection English Teachers (Hire 1 Teacher Per 32 Students) 9. Freshman Connection Math Teachers (Hire 1 Teacher Per 32 Students) 10. Freshman Connection Counselor (Hire 1 Counselor Per 100 Students)

Freshman Connections: Program Design AM/PM Academic sessions 8:30 am – 12:15 pm English and math instruction Counseling support “Mechanics” of high school Registration Class schedules Counselor/Advisor Enrichment Sessions 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm (2-days per week) “Rights of passage” to welcome students to high school Teambuilding exercises Building personalization skills Large/ small group interactive activities with upperclassmen Conflict resolution Career and college exploration Sports Activities fair Parent involvement/opportunities

Resources Chicago Public Schools Graduation Pathways Freshman On-Track Handbook