1. Getting MS Kids on Track to College: Leadership Lessons From GEAR UP Oregon

2. Panelists Stephanie Carnahan GEAR UP Project Director, Oregon University System Jerome Lynch Education Partnerships J. Howard Johnston University of South Florida Ronald Williamson Eastern Michigan University

3. Presentation Outline GEAR UP Oregon and EPI connection Principals’ Leadership Program Goal: Setting MS students On Track for College Programs and Resources from Oregon GEAR UP Discussion

4. Oregon GEAR UP Six-year program, starting with students in 7 th grade and follow through HS All students at GEAR UP schools receive indirect benefits through professional development, new programs, etc. Most of the program activities are generated by staff in the middle and high schools. We provide funds ($35-$45K) for these activities and augment them with statewide services

5. Oregon GEAR UP Sites

6. Education Partnerships, Inc. 501(c)3 Business/education partnership consulting firm 20+ Years of national experience Education consultants across the country: NY, MA, CT, GA, FL, MI, TX, CA, SC, AZ, IL, ME, WA Turnkey operation Nationally recognized – 40+ national, state & local awards, Nat’l Governor’s Award, NASSP Service Award Committed to working with educators to ensure success for all students

7. Leadership mentor (guide on the side) On-site visits, communication, resources Professional resources Research briefs, publications, best practices educationpartnerships.org/resources_tools.html educationpartnerships.org/resources_researchbrief.html gearup.ous.edu/gusaccess/education_research_briefs.php Regional meetings and seminars Access to experts, time to plan with staff Self-sustaining networks of support Sharing sessions of success, Podcasts, Visitations gearup.ous.edu/podcasts.php gearup.ous.edu/podcasts.php Principal Leadership Program Four Key Elements

8. Popular Resources Research Into Practice Briefs Respond to specific questions. Used for Professional Development and Community Info. Download herehere

9. Popular Resources Special Projects and Reports Assist in achieving GEAR UP goals. Hands-on Tools for School Leaders and Teachers. Download Complete Timeline herehere

10. Professional development Our Model for Change HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL STUDENTS RIGOR: Appropriately challenging courses with necessary support RELEVANCE: Connecting career aspirations to course taking behaviors RIGHT CLASSES: Early awareness of college prep curriculum RAISING AWARENESS: Promote awareness of college selection, admissions, finances & other steps RELATIONSHIPS: Peers, staff and parents support college going aspirations Use of data PartnershipsLeadership Flexible resources Based on Reclaiming the American Dream, Bridgespan ProjectReclaiming the American Dream

11. Professional Development focused on local conditions and schools. Collaboration across faculties, schools and districts. Intense efforts to involve family in promoting college attendance. Student opportunities to imagine themselves in college – and successful. Early and continuous planning to make college a reality. An attitude shift: “Yes, our kids can do this!” WHAT WORKS? Types of Strategies

12. Double ups: Students behind in math or reading take both the ability level & the grade level class. (Fleming MS – Podcast)Podcast Tutoring Support: Help with upcoming or previous assignments. (La Pine MS) Proficiency Based Learning with Friday interventions: a 4 day school week & 1 day of support if needed. (Taft Jr.-Sr. HS – Podcast)Podcast WHAT WORKS for RIGOR? Challenging courses with necessary support and knowledgeable teachers for all students

13. Freshman Academy: Ensure all students on track for college through MS/HS collaboration. (N. Marion MS & HS – Podcast)Podcast Peer Professional Development: Teachers learn from each other. (La Pine MS - Podcast)Podcast Professional Text Studies: Teachers choose and read together educational and/or improvement books for discussion (Stanfield Secondary School – Podcast)Podcast WHAT WORKS for RIGOR? Challenging courses with necessary support and knowledgeable teachers for all students

14. Middle Level Teachers Trained to use Career Information System to create personal education plans for each student. (http://oregoncis.uoregon.edu/home/)http://oregoncis.uoregon.edu/home/ Community Registered Teachers: Professionals from community teach specialized courses (Reedsport Community School - Podcast)Podcast WHAT WORKS for RELEVANCE? Connecting career aspirations to course- taking behaviors

15. Career Photo booth: course requirements and commitment. (Available to all schools) Career Nights, Fairs and Speakers (toolkit available on GU website) Community College Linking Days: Tie careers to college programs College Displays in Schools feature college and career links (2 & 4 year). WHAT WORKS for RELEVANCE? Connecting career aspirations to course- taking behaviors

16. College and Career Advisory Program: helps develop necessary application materials for 2 or 4 year college. (South Umpqua Schools - Podcast)Podcast Flipped Classrooms: all students have access to higher level classes through internet-based night courses and follow-up instruction during day classes (Irrigon Jr./Sr. HS – Upcoming podcast) WHAT WORKS for RIGHT CLASSES? Ensuring awareness and availability of classes to all students for access to higher learning

17. Changing Faculty Stereotypes regarding college going population (Lost River Jr. – Sr. HS – Upcoming podcast) Credit by Proficiency: Altering time for learning and speed of learning with support (Taft Jr. – Sr. HS - Podcast)Podcast WHAT WORKS for RIGHT CLASSES? Ensuring awareness and availability of classes to all students for access to higher learning

18. HS Buddy: HS students provide positive role model and help MS kids with academics (Powers Jr. and Sr. High School – Upcoming podcast) Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support: raises teacher self confidence, helps value and accept all students (Azalea MS & Brookings HS - Podcast)Podcast In School Support Systems through role modeling of faculty and commitment boards for students (Most schools) WHAT WORKS for RELATIONSHIPS? Peers, staff and parents support college going aspirations

19. Convene parents to share info and stories of student success. (N. Douglas Schools) Delayed Graduation: help with finances and transition to college (Sweet Home Schools - Podcast) Podcast College Visitations & Speakers (toolkit available on GU site)toolkit Summer College Camps: multi day college camps sponsored by GEAR UP and multiple campuses (videos on GU YouTube site)GU YouTube site WHAT WORKS for RAISING AWARENESS? Promote awareness of college selection, admissions, finances & other steps

20. 30% increase in 10 th grade reading scores 53% increase in 10 th grade math scores 21% increase in 10 th grade science scores 20% increase in 10 th grade writing scores 33% increase in AP and dual credit offering schools 11 to 20% increase in student and parents familiar with college or trade school entrance requirements 29% increase in the number of middle school students using Oregon CIS 400% increase in MS students visiting college campuses 96% of students report their peers are planning on attending college 92% of families expect their students to attend college Some Success Indicators to Date

21. Discussion PPT http://ronwilliamson.com/ Oregon GEAR UP http://gearup.ous.edu/ EPI (Resources, Research Briefs, White Papers) http://www.educationpartnerships.org/resources.html Principals Blog http://oregongearupprincipals.blogspot.com/ http://oregongearupprincipals.blogspot.com/