Encouraging Students to Pursue Academic Rigor

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Encouraging Students to Pursue Academic Rigor
Presented by Scott Power New Hampshire Scholars
Director Deb Connell NH Department of Education
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What is NH Scholars?
Challenge Your Students

• National program using business leaders to
  motivate students, beginning in 8th grade, to
  complete a rigorous course of study
• Helps students attain skills they need in work
  life the ability to tackle challenging work
  learn what they need to know to do it
• This program will increase postsecondary
  attendance rates, decrease drop out rates and
  encourage all students to achieve their personal
  best.

90 of high school freshmen say they expect to go
on to college, while only 44 take the college
prep courses necessary for college admission.
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Who can be a NH Scholar?
Program targets all students

• Generally, 25 of students already on board
• Main target Remaining 75 of student body

• What does a NH Scholar receive?
• Gold medallion at graduation
• NH Scholars seal on diploma
• Electronic indication on transcript
• Increased academic and financial rewards
  (postsecondary acceptance, scholarships, career
  networking, etc.)

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Show Me the Money
to help pay for college
Any student seeking aid of any kind must complete
the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student
Aid) every year to remain eligible.

• New Hampshire Scholars will have additional
  grant opportunities.
• Academic Competitiveness Grant
• National SMART Grant
• Local scholarships
• Institutional aid

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Preparing students
for a successful future

• New Hampshire Scholars 4-year planner process
• Parents
• Students
• Signed contract

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New Hampshire Scholars Have More Options in Their
Chosen Career Pathway
Encourages students to go above and beyond high
school graduation requirements.
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Business Partnerships
Critical Component
Business volunteers help students understand that
the choices they make today have a direct impact
on their career and business success tomorrow.

• Leaders in the business community deliver the
  message directly to students about the importance
  of high school coursework and its impact on their
  future success. 
• Connect with school coordinators to provide
  workshops, activities and mentoring opportunities
• Students learn the 21st century skills that
  todays employers require

70 of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will require
an education beyond high school. Source Dept.
of Labor
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Preparing students
for a successful future
The single greatest predictor of high school
success is student preparation in early years.

• NH Scholars is helping establish trends
• Increased 8th grade enrollment in Algebra I
• Increased enrollment in science and foreign
  language courses (particularly chemistry
  physics)
• Increased enrollment in 3rd/4th year math courses
• Increased number of sections offered in
  certainsubject areas

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Preparing students
for a successful future

• The single greatest predictor of post-high
  school success is
• QUALITY AND INTENSITY OF HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Cliff Adelman, Answers in the Tool Box, U.S.D.E.
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Why Is Rigor So Important?
4 Reasons

• The World is flat.
• The U.S. is falling behind.
• The magnitude of our competition is changing.
• The nature of our work is changing.

Ken Kay, 21st Century Skills, 2007
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Discussion
Encouraging students to pursue academic rigor is
critical to prepare them for a successful future.

• How does your district support this? (Or how
  have you seen districts supporting this?)
• Why is rigor important?

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How are we doing?
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Tracking NH students through college graduation
Early Awareness
27 of ninth gradersgraduate from college

• For every 100 students in 9th grade
• 46 enter a 4-year college
• 35 return for their second year
• 27 graduate with a 4-year degree

Source National Service for Public Policy in
Higher Education
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Too Many Students Need College Remediation in
Core Subjects
Percentage of US First Year Students in 2- and
4-year College Institutions Requiring Remediation
28
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Percentage
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Most US College Students Who Take Remedial
Courses Fail to Earn Degrees
76
Many college students who need remediation,
especially in reading and math, do not earn
either an associate or bachelors degree. NCES,
The Condition of Education, 2004
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Percentage of College Students Not Earning
Degrees by Type of Remediation
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Students Would Have Taken Harder Courses

• Knowing what you know today about the
  expectations of college/work
• Would you have taken more challenging courses in
  at least one subject area?

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72
Peter D. Hart Assoc. Achieve 2005
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If High School Had Demanded More
Graduates Would Have Worked Harder
82
80
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64
63
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High school graduates who went to college
High school graduates who did not go to college
Peter D. Hart Assoc. Achieve 2005
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Higher Performing High Schools

• Have very clear goals. Even when they start with
  high dropout rates, they focus students on
  college.
• Put all kidsnot just somein a demanding high
  school core curriculum.
• Work very hard on the quality, consistency and
  rigor of high school courses.

Education Trust, 2007High School Redesign Toolbox
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How does New Hampshire Scholars support this?

• Engagement
• Commitment
• Support

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What does academic rigor meanto you?
NH needs your feedback

• How would you define academic rigor and
  relevance?
• What do high schools need to do to graduate
  students that are college and work ready?

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New Hampshire Scholars Model for Achieving
Academic Rigor
Early awareness presentation delivered by
business reps
Incentives to stay on track
Senior recognition event(s)
GRADES
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9 10 11
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Questions?
Scott Power Director New Hampshire Scholars 3
Barrell Court Concord, NH 03301 603.225.4199
x300 spower_at_nhcuc.org
Deb ConnellEducation Consultant NH Department of
Education 101 Pleasant Street Concord, NH
03301 603.271.3769 dconnell_at_ed.state.nh.us

www.NHscholars.org