Curriculum and Instruction Action Item |
DATE: Tuesday, December 11, 2007
TO: School Board Members
FROM: MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The goal of the CollegeKeys Compact is to assist students from low-income backgrounds become prepared for, enrolled in, and graduate from college at approximately the same rate as their more affluent peers. Following two years of study and research regarding the barriers that face students when accessing higher education, the College Board has initiated a nationwide call to action for educators to begin a collective effort to expand educational opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds. Recent estimates indicate that nearly one-half of all college-qualified low-income graduates do not enroll in a four-year college program because of financial barriers. While the financial barriers are clear, other obstacles for low-income students are less evident. These barriers include poor preparation, low-expectations, absence of support, and lack of reliable information about college possibilities.
By signing the compact, our district agrees to “Expand the rigor of high school courses and establish a college-preparatory curriculum as the default program for all, mount college awareness programs and increase communication to parents, provide professional development for teachers, counselors, and administrators around admissions and financial aid practices, enter into partnerships with higher education institutions to support recruiting fairs, campus visits, and fee waivers, and monitor progress and share data.”
ANNUAL DISTRICT GOAL(S) AND CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S)
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted: Yes)
EVALUATION
SUBMITTED BY:
Pat Smith
Director, Guidance Services (813) 273-7074 |
Michael A. Grego, Ed.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Curriculum and Instruction (813) 272-4221 |
A 1.12 | |
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20071211_271 * Section A Item# 1.12 |