A BluePrint for Success: Case Studies of Successful - Educational ...

A Blueprint for Success
College Affairs
This program delivers college-focused advisory workshops to all students in 9th – 12th grade a minimum
of 12 times a year. In the senior year, each student is matched to an advisor who supports students
through the college application and selection process. The advisor, as well as other staff, provides
support for the FAFSA process and applying for financial aid and scholarships.
College Success
College Success helps students once they are in college to ensure that they are academically, socially,
and financially able to complete their degree. While College Track provides some assistance with job
and internship placement, their focus is on helping students graduate. Supports include: events to
help high school seniors transition successfully to college; university and scholarship partnerships to
increase the number of students admitted to good schools with higher levels of financial and other
support; direct and indirect financial support to ensure that students experience smooth disbursement
of funds and can meet all college funding requirements; advising and mentoring so that all
students who need or request advising receive it; and communications and events to maintain contact
with program alumni so they may continue to receive supports as needed.
Data-­‐Driven Practices
College Track’s Director of Program Evaluation and Planning designs and monitors a set of tracking
tools that measure organizational performance based on the stated expectations for student achievement
and attendance. College Track conducts a Cycle of Inquiry for all the benchmarks to monitor
student progress, retention, enrollment goals, and student performance data such as GPA and ACT
scores. Benchmarks are metrically calculated and reviewed three times a year. Listed after each goal
below are the data collected to measure progress:
Goal 1. All participating seniors will graduate from high school and be admitted to a four-year college.
College Track ensures this by:
Tracking each student’s weekly site, workshop, and tutoring session attendance.
Regularly evaluating students’ GPAs in classes required for college eligibility.
Ensuring students pass the state exams (e.g., CAHSEE in California), and monitoring
standardized test scores.
Utilizing predictor assessments (PLAN and EXPLORE) to assess how students will perform
on the ACT and will be academically for college.
Examining the effectiveness that tutoring has on student GPAs.
Monitoring students’ retention in the program.
Goal 2. Ninety percent of participating seniors will enroll in a four-year college. College Track ensures
this by:
Educational Policy Institute 54 www.educationalpolicy.org