Blazing New Trails - Connexions

Increasing Student Success in Rigorous Courses 173
One of the important things that we do here is we actually take students to colleges
and let them tour. You know that really helps. We have taken them to many colleges
around this area where they can actually see what it’s like, and that opens their eyes a
lot. Some of the guest speakers that we bring are also our alumni who are now in
college. We’re happy that we’ve brought some excellent guest speakers here to talk to
some of these students and open their eyes as to what they can do with their lives.
An administrator emphasized:
College Zone College and Career Center has impacted our program the most. More
students are taking time to visit the center on their own to research colleges and
careers and to work on scholarship applications. If everything goes as planned, we will
expand the Career Center next year to our existing library which is fully glassed in
from the hallway. Students will be able to see the College Center as they walk down
the hallway.
Another teacher added:
The addition of the Career Center and college visits have motivated students to
attempt the more rigorous courses that are within the pathway of their chosen field.
The most important addition has been one person designated to supervise the grant, to
collaborate with parents and to encourage and guide the students.
A counselor elaborated, “The college visits were the most successful because seeing
something makes it more real to the students.” A teacher stressed:
I think the GEAR UP program sharpened our focus on advanced course offerings. We
have increased our number of courses offered, thus allowing more students to
participate. We strongly encourage students to try a Pre-AP or AP class in an area in
which they feel strong. Our teachers have ‘bought in’ to increasing the rigor of the
courses and to actively recruiting students who show the potential to be successful.
The teachers have worked hard to provide support for students who take the risk to be
in the classes. We make it fairly difficult for students to get out of the advanced
classes once they begin. We have found that most will rise to the occasion. Once they
have experienced success, some are willing to try additional advanced coursework. I
think this will have a great impact on their being prepared for college and going into
college with confidence.
Another teacher stressed, “I have seen an increase in the number of student participants in
events. Also, meeting with students on an individual basis has been beneficial.” A counselor
added:
Exposure to college campuses has been highly beneficial for students. As of January 8,
2010, students in the GEAR UP cohort have had the opportunity to tour: Texas A&M
University at College Station, University of Texas at Austin, Angelina College in
Lufkin, Stephen F Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Rice University in
Houston, Texas Southern University in Houston, Sam Houston State University in