College Access Contents:
1. Upcoming IllinoisCAN Events
Quarterly Meeting, Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
2. Access in the News
CNN Headline News Channel features an interview with the Illinois Education Foundation about its community college scholarship program. In the "Newsmakers" segment, Co-Founder Michael Golden discusses the IEF's student success rates, new public/private partnerships, specialized mentoring programs, and more! Click here to preview the interview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvIWZVG5qGk or visit www.iledfoundation.org
City sees almost half of '07 class in college - Tracking study also shows gender gap narrowed for post-high school studies
Chicago Tribune, May 13, 2008
Carlos Sadovi
“The portion of Chicago public high school graduates who enrolled in college in 2007 climbed to a four-year high, with male students closing the enrollment gap with their female peers…. Mayor Richard Daley and schools chief Arne Duncan plan to announce the findings Tuesday at Hope College Prep High School, 5515 S. Lowe Ave., which had its college enrollment rate rise by nearly 21 percentage points since 2004.” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-cps-college-enrollment_13may13,0,6940305.story
Top Colleges Dig Deeper in Wait Lists for Students.
New York Times, May 9, 2008
Tamar Lewin
“In what may be a happy surprise for thousands of high school seniors, Harvard plans to offer admission to 150 to 175 students on its waiting list, and Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania each expect to take 90, creating ripples that will send other highly selective colleges deeper into their waiting lists as well.” http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/09/education/09admissions.html?ref=education&pagewanted=print
Top Colleges Admit Fewer Low-Income Students
Chronicle, May 2, 2008
Karin Fischer
“Elite colleges have made headlines in recent years with financial-aid plans aimed at enrolling more low-income students. But despite those efforts, the proportion of financially needy undergraduates at the nation's wealthiest colleges and universities actually dropped between the 2004-5 and 2006-7 academic years, according to a Chronicle analysis of federal Pell Grant data.” http://chronicle.com/weekly/v54/i34/34a00103.htm
Online Texts for Community College Students
Inside HigherEd, April 29, 2008
Elia Powers
Plenty of professors are thinking about ways of introducing alternatives to traditional textbooks that they or their students deem too pricey. Some are involved in efforts to create material that is online, free and open source in design. A new effort Monday aims to help this movement grow at community colleges. Read on at http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2008/04/29/textbooks
Studies: SAT Writing Portion Good for Grades
USA Today, online, April 25, 2008
Janet Kornblum and Greg Koppo
“The controversial new writing portion of the SAT is actually a better predictor of grades for freshmen college students than the older, more-established, critical reading and mathematics portions, according to preliminary results of two new studies.” Find the article at http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-04-24-sat_N.htm
3. Communication & Collaboration, Recent Events
High School Summit II – Let’s Talk Transformation
Educators, administrators, and key players from civic and business communities packed the house on April 10, 2008, for the High School Summit II that was held at Chase Bank, sponsored by Catalyst Chicago, Chase, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Crain’s Chicago, Woods Fund, and IllinoisCAN. The summit focused on the results of the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) High School Transformation Project that began in 2005. Keynote speakers included Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan and the Washington Post education columnist Jay Mathews. Mr. Duncan outlined his goal for a “system of high schools.” Some components of this plan are to: open new high schools, partner with institutions of higher education, replicate the behaviors of successful schools, increase and broaden options for students, turn around low performing high schools, and increase professional development for principals.
In addition to the above plans, Greg Darnieder’s Office of Postsecondary Education will implement “freshman connection,” an aggressive program that involves enrolling students for classes in the spring of eighth grade and bringing students onto high school campuses over the summer to create a smooth transition for students entering high school.
Jay Mathews spoke about key components needed in order to reform high schools. He proposed that environments with high expectations would encourage students to perform, such as ample time for study and students arriving in class on time. He also stated that providing authentic assessments and instilling communal atmospheres that include engaging families and other adults will help raise aspirations and academic efficacy.
Sara Karp and John Myers, of Catalyst Chicago, provided a detailed and highly substantive presentation on daily activities in Marshall High School, one of the institutions destined for transformation. A student panel gave vividly reflective accounts of student life in CPS high schools and the difficulties involved in transcending barriers to achieving quality education in high school and beyond. These students provided suggestions for transforming CPS high schools: improve the physical environments, balance change across all schools, provide more contact with educators and mentors, and help students prepare. Read http://www.catalyst-chicago.org/search/index.php?Aterm=Transforming+Marshall+High+School&submit=search&criteria=exact&author=&searchWithin=0&dateRange=0&relevancedate=relevant&pagename=2.
IllinoisCAN Quarterly Meeting Summary
At the spring quarterly meeting on Tuesday, May 6th, Chamber vice president and IllinoisCAN board member Peggy Luce provided highlights on the public agenda for the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) planning. More information and the master plan are available on the IBHE web site at http://www.ibhe.org/masterPlanning/default.htm. Luce also gave an update of the KnowHow2Go (KH2GO) Illinois initiative. KH2GO lead partners are the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, Illinois College Access Network, and the Chicago Public Schools. For more information see the Resources and Opportunities, section 4, of this newsletter.
The keynote presentation by Jerry Pope, Consultant with Niles Township District 219 high schools, Secrets of College Admissions outlined what institutions of higher education (IHE) look for and provided inside tips on the college search and application processes. Pope began with an overview of some benefits of attending college, such as a higher lifetime wage differential over those who do not attend, and that many colleges admit more than 75% of applicants annually. He emphasized that “there’s a college out there for everyone” and it is essential to include college visits in the search process whenever possible. Of the 60% of high school graduates who attend college, 50% will fail out often due to lack of person-institution (environment) fit.
Finding the right college involves three constituents: the student, the institution and the relationship built between the first two. The student needs to focus on three items: 1. Apply early, not for early acceptance, but to demonstrate interest. 2. Public identity. Create a resume listing three or four interests of depth, have a business-style email account and voicemail message, be aware—facebook/myspace pages—IHE may look at these. 3. The personal essay should illustrate a poignant event or an obstacle from which the student transcended, but avoid death and divorce.
IHE base decisions holistically looking to answer a few good questions. First, demonstrated interest: how deeply did the student investigate us, e.g. gather data on our overall financial standing, size, geographic locale, and visit campus? Second, a well-written essay: who wrote it? Third, final year grades: did the student engage in “senioritis?” Fourth: are letters of recommendation written specifically for our institution? Finally, how well will this student represent us?
Jerry Pope wrapped up his presentation by emphasizing that, IHE welcome undecided students, self-discovery is part of the educational process. Once enrolled, the biggest problems with student success are on-line gambling, credit card debt, and lack of people skills or knowing how to seek out help. Only about 5% of students fail out due to alcohol-related issues. For more suggestions on the application writing process go to www.acm.edu.
Posse Foundation 2nd Annual Nominator’s Breakfast
On Tuesday, May 6, 2008, the Posse Foundation kicked off its search for Posse scholars. College counselors and other educators attended the nominator’s breakfast to talk with Posse alumni/ae, Posse scholars and other nominators to gain insights on the nomination process. Break out sessions involved learning tools to assist educators seeking out prospective Posse scholars for the 2008-09 academic year. For more information about nominating or to receive a nomination packet, go to the Posse web site at http://www.possefoundation.org/.
Catholic Schools Leadership Meeting
On May 6, 2008 the Office of Catholic Schools held a system wide School Leadership Meeting at Drury Lane, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace. The meeting will highlight the mission of Catholic Schools through Genesis with an emphasis on Catholic Identity. For more information about the event, contact Mariam Shabo at mshabo@archchicago.org.
3. Communications & Collaboration, Upcoming Events
Progress Center for Independent Living Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Saturday, May 24, 2008, Bailamos! An all ages dance bash at the Cicero Stadium, 1909 S. Laramie, Cicero, Illinois 60804. Event begins at 6pm. Advance tickets $10 and $12 at the door. For more information and to purchase tickets, call Merie at (708) 209-1500.
Wheaton College’s Entrenuity Summer Business Camp 2008
Learn how to start, operate, and grow your own business! Entrenuity is offering high school sophomores-seniors the opportunity to learn how to create a business plan, compete for business start-up money, develop marketable skills, identify investment opportunities, visit local businesses, improve presentation skills, learn business etiquette, network with business owners, live on a college campus, learn about scholarship opportunities at Wheaton College, and earn a $500.00 stipend! Application deadline is May 16, 2008. For more information, contact Tiffany Staley, Program Coordinator toll free at (888) 568-3350 or 708-660-0155. To receive e-mail blast about the camp please e-mail tstaley@entrenuity.com.
NCAN Annual Conference 2008
September 22-24 in Houston, Texas. Early registration is through September 5th for NCAN members. For more information contact Bridget Vaughn at (216) 241-6122 x201 or vaughnb@collegeaccess.org. Also go to www.collegeaccess.org for online registration.
Fifteenth National Conference on Students in Transition
November 8-10, 2008 in Columbia, South Carolina. At this two-day conference, you will share and learn about the latest concepts, research results, assessment strategies and institutional initiatives that are focused on student success and learning for all students in transition. For more information, go to http://sc.edu/fye/events/sit/.
4. Resources & Opportunities
- KNOWHOW2GO ILLINOIS PARTNERSHIP IS UNDERWAY led by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), IllinoisCAN, and the Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Any Illinois organization interested in promoting college access and KnowHow2GO is being provided with free supplies and training for developing, hosting and marketing successful outreach events. Localized English and Spanish brochures, bookmarks, postcards, airplane flyers and posters can be ordered (free) by calling KnowHow2GOIllinois (800) 899-4722.
- YMCA ALLIANCE IN WORKFORCE INVESTMENT ACT (WIA) is looking for mentors to work with motivated young-adults (19-21) once per month and have regular contact with them to help them stay on track. Contact Laura Y. Pleasants, Executive Director at (773) 368-8305 for more information on mentoring.
- CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN & YOUTH SERVICES is accepting proposals for businesses and organizations interested in presenting a workshop at Mayor Daley’s 2008 Summer Jobs Program Readiness Training on Wednesday, June 18, 2008. Deadline for proposals is Friday, May 16, 2008. For more information contact Ebony Baity at (312) 743-1590 or ebony.baity@cityofchicago.org.
5. Encourage Students to Apply
- COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP available from the East Village Youth Program for students who have graduated from an alternative high school or received their GED and are interested in attending college. Application deadline is June 13, 2008. Contact Katherine Moone at kmoone@evyp.org for more information.
- CHICAGO METROPOLITAN AGENCY FOR PLANNING is offering a leadership development program for high school freshman and sophomores in the Chicago metro area where participants learn about the metro region and share their thoughts with other teens. Participants will also meet and interact with selected regional leaders in many areas, including health, transportation, housing, and human services. Applications are due by June 2, 2008. Go to http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/flip.aspx.
- CPS - CHOOSE YOUR FUTURE lists scholarships for high school and postsecondary students for students who are Chicago residents. Deadlines vary. For more information go to http://www.postsecondary.cps.k12.il.us/scholarships/.
- NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION EDUCATION FOUNDATION is seeking high school students and GED recipients to apply for 2008 scholarships. Deadlines differ depending on individual scholarship requirements. For more information contact Sue Vogel at (312) 715-6780, (800) 765-2122 x738 or scholars@nraef.org.
- ILLINOIS EDUCATION FOUNDATION scholarships are for students who have applied to community colleges. Applications will be available in May 2008. Completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required. For detailed information about IEF Scholarships, visit http://www.nraef.org/scholarships/.
6. Summer Reading
Reviews of these books are in the Chicago Tribune, Saturday, May 3, 2008.
Cooper, E. (2008). Ridiculous/hilarious/terrible/cool: A year in an American high school. Penguin Group. ISBN: 9780803731691
Foote, D. (2008). Relentless pursuit: A year in the trenches with teach for America. Knopf Publishing. ISBN: 9780307265715
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