 |
|
|
An in-depth look at Portland Public Schools |
|
|
Winter 2010: In this issue |
|
| 1. | Milestones Framework: Overview |
| 2. | Milestone 1: Harrison Park taps creativity to teach pre-reading |
| 3. | Milestone 3: Boise-Eliot puts special emphasis on writing |
| 4. | Milestone 4: Step Up puts students on track to graduate |
| 5. | Milestones help PPS tackle racial disparities |
| 6. | ‘Young, Gifted & Black’ reframes achievement debate |
| |
|
The Step Up Program, offered at three PPS high schools, helps students meet Milestone 4: on track to graduate. Students are considered on track if they enter 10th grade having completed six credits with at least a "C" grade in core subjects.
Step Up’s goal is to provide ninth-graders with extra academic and personal support -- during and after school -- through relationships with advocates whose roles are part mentor, part tutor. Students are identified for the program using attendance, grades, and test scores as indicators that they might be at risk of dropping out, says Kent Smith, Marshall’s Step Up coordinator.
Transition years are districtwide focus
Each year in high school is important, but ninth grade is especially critical to helping students acclimate and pave a path to graduation.
Step Up is part of a districtwide focus on supporting students and instilling confidence at key transition years. In recent years, the district has offered three summer programs, one for incoming first- and second-graders, one for incoming sixth-graders and the Ninth Grade Transition Academy.
Last summer, 80 incoming freshmen participated in Ninth Grade Transition Academy at Franklin and Madison high schools.
“If we can help students get their footing at the start of elementary, middle and high school, they are more likely to feel grounded and stay in school,” says Xavier Botana, chief academic officer.
The focus on the ninth-grade transition is mirrored in the mission of Connected by 25, a Portland Schools Foundation program. Connected by 25 emphasizes the need for students to feel connected to educational or employment opportunities by age 25 to ensure a stable path in life. The effort starts early.
"The evidence shows that students who earn all their core credits in ninth and 10th grades are four times more likely to graduate than students who don't,'' says Marshall Step Up coordinator Smith. "We exist to see the transition happen.''
Step Up builds foundation
Step Up began in 2003 as a partnership of Open Meadow Alternative Schools and Roosevelt High School serving 37 incoming freshmen. Open Meadow developed curriculum, trained and supported all staff, and initiated the innovative summer program that remains central to the program today. Three years ago the program grew beyond the Roosevelt Campus to serve students at Madison and the Marshall Campus.
Students are invited to join Step Up based on attendance records, academic performance and other indicators that they may need extra support to stay in school. Each Step Up advocate works with 10 students.
During the summer before ninth grade, Step Up students attend a one-week camp. Camp activities and exercises, including sharing personal stories in small group settings, help students bond with each other and their advocate, Smith says.
This year on the Marshall Campus, there are 86 Step Up students, split between the BizTech and Renaissance Arts academies. Skylinn, who is in Renaissance Arts Academy, says she learned during camp that the students have a lot in common. The realization made her feel less alone.
“They're here for the same reason I'm here,” she says.
Miguel, who attends BizTech, says he appreciates help from his Step Up advocate in math, science and Spanish.
"Last year, my grades were all right, but they weren't how I wished they would be because I wasn't organized,” he says. Thanks to Step Up, he adds, his grades are better this year.
For Fidel, also in BizTech, passing classes is the best feeling.
“Step Up’s helped me a lot – like getting my algebra done and handing it in on time,” Fidel says. "Step Up has made school different.”
