Middle School Fridaysat

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 contactedthe 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 5th-8th 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 & CareerVirtual Tour of ECCFaculty & Student InterviewsTransfer Classes & Career Tech Programs featured

2010-111200 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

Benefits

What is College Ready?

College Ready

Student

Key Content Knowledge

Key Cognitive Strategies

Key Self- Manageme

nt 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 2011-12

• 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?