Middle School Fridays at Elgin Community College Stephanie Bonvallet Julie Schaid, Ph.D.

The Three C’s College Careers Choices…… “It is not our abilities that tell us what we truly are….it is our choices.” Dumbledore Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets

Middle School Students say...

What the Visit looks like 2 hour interactive program Friday Mornings 10am-12noon Power Point using Turning Point software (clickers) Student Panel Campus Tour Take away book bag with goodies Parent letter Optional lunch on Campus following program

History 6 years ago… Middle School Teachers contacted the Admissions Department to arrange a campus visit Limited Resources (staffing, time, accommodations) Number of visits & requests were unpredicatable Visits consisted of a campus tour, lacked formal content Not a department priority Not all requests were accomodated

4 years ago… Office of Admissions Initiative- “Middle School Fridays” Point of contact person within identified Increase awareness Formal invite to all schools, set aside 6-8 dates Campus visit expanded ( content and tour) Visit to Middle Schools classrooms Visits to accommodate up to 100 students Requests continue to increase ( Elementary and Middle School 5 th -8 th graders)

Last Year Institutional Support Fromal program with content and overall campus awarness Collaboration with MS Teachers ( Inservice/Campus visit ) Supports and Links to existing Middle School Programs Alignment with Alliance for College Readiness Developed: Campus Tour Guide and training DVD – It’s Your Choice, College & Career Virtual Tour of ECC Faculty & Student Interviews Transfer Classes & Career Tech Programs featured students participated, 4 school district, 9 Middle Schools Outcomes presented to ECC’s Board of Trustees

This Year 13 Middle School Fridays- scheduled! Access for all Middle Schools Classroom visits an option DVD given to all schools Collaboration with Academic Division at ECC Active Middle School Representation within Alliance for College Readiness

Past Labor Intensive – designated staff Not a direct recruitment event Room availablity Outreach to schools Cost Future Sustainablity High Demand from Middle Schools Staffing Update DVD and program content Possible parent component Cost Challenges

Students Early Exposure to College Reinforcement Make High School Count “Choices” correlation to student success Career Exposure Middle Schools / Faculty Partnership College/Career Readiness for All Future data Starting Point for College Readiness

What is College Ready? College Ready Student Key Content Knowledge Key Cognitive Strategies Key Self- Management Skills “College Knowledge” Conley, D.T, (2010), College and Career Ready. San Francisco: Jossey Bass.

Sustained, Meaningful Partnerships Advisory Council Math Team STEM Team Writing Team Reading Team Supporting Transitions, Engaging Parents & Students New: ELLTeam Administrative Team

Alliance Focus Areas Middle Schools English Language Learners Data Sharing Professional Development – Kane Co. PD Day Communications/College-Going Culture – Parent Communication – Alliance Electronic Newsletter – Student Communication

Questions?