Some Things from Janet

1.       There’s a copy of the Fall senior newsletter (orange paper) on the side of the file cabinet.

2.       Interesting article I brought home (from the paper where I used to work) about Programs being developed to help autistic students transition to college. On white board up front. Or, here’s the link http://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/20/health/autism-spectrum-college.html?_r=0

3.       Info about financial aid and undocumented students, and FAQs for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. On desk by front computer.

4.       Bit by bit I’m getting answers to how the Smarter Balanced test scores translate to substitute for a placement test at community colleges. When I get a fuller view, I’ll ‘splain.

5.       One thing I know is that for kids going to community college, thy will need to know their Smarter Balanced State Test Scores (formerly called Oaks). I have access to that info; so if you have students headed that direction, please let me know their names. This info, will of course be strictly confidential.

 

ACCUPLACER Questions

All Oregon community colleges now offer ACCUPLACER because COMPASS is obsolete at the end of this month.  However, each community college has set their own cut scores and placement requirements, so these do not necessarily match other schools.

A huge change to Chemeketa is the allowance of Smarter Balanced scores (if high enough) for placement, with Senior English successful completion as another asset for higher reading or writing placement.  

On a practical note, this means fewer of your students will need to take placement tests.  This will be great for your students and a cost saver for us since ACCUPLACER tests are considerably more expensive for colleges than COMPASS was.

Those students who are confident that they will be applying for Chemeketa Scholars will still need placement test results, whether from COMPASS or ACCUPLACER (or a combination of the two).

COMPASS scores are valid for five years, so students will not need to retest if they have already scored well.  We will be discouraging placement testing to those who have high COMPASS placement test scores or Smarter Balanced scores.  We also encourage students that know they will be attending another college to test directly with their college.  This way, their scores will upload into that school's database automatically and the student will not need to submit scores on their own.  

I have attached a chart that will give more information regarding Smarter Balanced scores and Senior English for Chemeketa placement.  (Please note that the sentence below this chart means that a student/school will need to supply a copy of Smarter Balanced scores to a Chemeketa testing center to make the placement official.)

I also included another attachment that has other info that applies to high school students.

Smarter Balanced Placement

ACCUPLACER at Chemeketa

 

Oregon Gear Up

The awesome weekly newsletter from Oregon GEAR UP

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As Oregon seniors are focused on applying for college and financial aid, Governor Kate Brown proclaimed November “Oregon Goes To College Month”. Oregon College Application Week and College Cash Campaign events will be held at 112 schools and organizations across the state, with the potential to reach more than 20,000 students. The goal: to support seniors in completing applications for postsecondary education or training and financial aid with the support of caring adults during school.   News & Research Oregon Promise: About 6,000 students Attending College Roughly 10,000 Oregonians met Oregon Promise's basic requirements – at least a 2.5 grade point average with a high school diploma or a GED – and enrolled at least part-time at a community college. Racial, Class Disparities in College Degree Attainment For the class of 2009, 45% of students from higher income high schools had obtained a college degree within six years of graduation, compared to 24% of students from lower income schools. Nearly 1 in 3 Students are First-Generation Only 40% of first-generation students achieve a degree within six years, compared with 55% of students whose parents hold degrees. Students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree have unique challenges including the first step of applying. How A Happy School Can Help Students Succeed A new study shows that a positive school climate had a significant impact on academics.   Why Low-Income Students Are Drawn to For-Profit Colleges A lack of information and an urgency to land a job can drive low-income youth to enroll in for-profit trade schools they often can't afford. On average, attending a two-year for-profit institution costs a student four times as much as attending a community college. College Is The Goal. Will These 3 Teenagers Get There? Follow three high school seniors in Topeka, KS on their quest to college.   Resources Featured GEAR UP Resource: Parent Workshops A series of workshops for parents including basic information about GEAR UP, colleges and financial aid. Includes agendas with interactive activities and power points with speaker notes. School Climate Measurement Resources Surveys and tools from the U.S. Department of Education to help assess and improve school climate. Funding Opportunities Reiman Foundation Focuses giving on four main areas including education. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.     Professional Development Poverty Simulation Gain a better understanding of the daily realities of poverty. The simulation enables participants to look at poverty from a variety of angles and and then to recognize and discuss the potential for change within the community. Led by CoActive Connections. November 10 - Salem; December 2 - Portland Scholarships Life Without the Internet Scholarship Students must create an infographic or compose a 400-600 word essay to describe how their life would be different if the internet didn’t exist for a chance to win one of two $500 scholarships. Due November 21 Events Warner Pacific College Preview Days Meet-and-greet with faculty and staff, get a taste of student life at a campus event, sit in on a class, make new friends with current students and see what college is really like. November 10-11, Portland, $30 for overnight guests; $20 for day-time only guests. OIT Making College Happen This program is designed to offer a little extra assistance for high school freshman and sophomores who are the first to attend college or who feel they don’t know where to begin with their college search. November 17, Klamath Falls

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PSU Bridges

You and your students are invited to attend Bridges at PSU!

Friday, November 18, 2016, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm

Please join us for Bridges, an event for high school students who are first generation or from ethnically diverse backgrounds and exploring college opportunities. Students who attend Bridges will: learn about the admissions process, become familiar with financial aid and scholarship opportunities,  explore career paths with current students and faculty, apply onsite during Instant Viking (seniors only), and how to be a successful student at PSU. Students will attend a series of workshops and tours to assist them in gathering essential information to make informed decisions about attending college. make informed decisions about attending college. SIGN UP NOW We look forward to seeing you and your students!