1. POSTSECONDARY ACCESS FOR LATINO MIDDLE-GRADES STUDENTS NY State Middle Level Liaisons May 7, 2009 A project of Education Development Center, Inc. www.palmsproject.net

2. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 2 Consider the significance of the middle grades in college access Introduce a resource for developing a college-focused outreach program Present a case study of a school that is building a college-going culture among Latino students and parents PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES

3. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 3 ABOUT PALMS Our mission is to strengthen the ability of schools to partner with families and communities in supporting Latino students’ pursuit of education beyond high school. We conduct research, develop products, and offer services to assist school leaders who share our mission.

4. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 4 FUNDERS & PARTNERS Lumina Foundation for Education Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation LULAC National Educational Service Centers National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform

5. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 5 WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO Research shows that the following factors are key determinants to college attendance: Having college plans at least by 7 th grade Attending a college-focused high school Having families who expect you – and can help you – to go to college Source: “Building a College-Going Culture: Lessons from Best Practices and College Access Advising.” Presentation by Patricia McDonough at National College Access Network Conference. Los Angeles, CA. November 9, 2007

6. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 6 PALMS ACTIVITIES Parent Outreach Study (2004) Tools for Latino Family Outreach (2005) Student Outreach Study (2005) Implementation Study (2006-09) Outreach Leaders Network (2007-09)

7. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 7 Why are you telling us to think about college? We’re still in middle school!

8. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 8 College-going culture in Grades 6, 7, and 8

9. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 9 Download free at www.palmsproject.net

10. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 10 POCKETS OF EXCELLENCE Principal’s Coffees Campus Visits Themed Nights Open House Unarticulated or unclear goals Little to no time for reflection

11. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 11 KEY FEATURES OF TOOLKIT Research-based process –Study of Parental Outreach Practices –Organizational and Community Development Flexible and adaptable –Each program will be unique –Tailored to the strengths and goals of each community Field tested –Usability of materials and effectiveness of process –Extensive practitioner feedback

12. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 12 PURPOSE & AUDIENCE PROGRAMGuides school leaders through a process for developing an outreach PROGRAM Applicable to all grade levels Outreach can target any under- represented group

13. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 13 WHAT MAKES A PROGRAM A PROGRAM? “It’s ongoing, organized, structured, and coherent.” “It has clear goals, tangible outcomes, and visible leadership.”

14. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 14 “To create systemic change.” “To expand the impact of pockets.” “To evaluate whether goals were met.” “To be able to replicate and sustain your efforts.” “To make your work marketable.” WHY BUILD A PROGRAM?

15. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 15 TOOLKIT FORMAT Self-facilitated materials guide a school team in planning, implementing, and assessing outreach efforts. Small group sessions are used to plan school-wide outreach to students and parents.

16. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 16 STARTING VISIONING PLANNINGMAPPING DOING ASSESSING PATH TO A PROGRAM

17. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 17 PALMS SITES

18. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 18 CASE STUDY: HOMMOCKS MIDDLE SCHOOL

19. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 19 DEMOGRAPHICS & REASONS FOR ACTION

20. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 20 FACILITATING THE PALMS PROCESS

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22. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 22 PADRES UNIDOS VISION STATEMENT The school will be a space that is inclusive, participatory, and unified, conducive to the growth and development of all members of the educational community. We are motivated by the highest expectations and a firm commitment to use all available resources in order to provide families with the necessary tools to guarantee our children full access to higher education.

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29. Copyright Education Development Center, 2009 – All rights reserved 29 THANK YOU! Stay in touch and join our mailing list Contact us: –aclark@edc.org –adorris@edc.org