Our Mission:Preparing Students for Postsecondary Success

Mansoureh TehraniMETSA @ R. L. Turner High Schooltehranim@cfbisd.edu972-968-5434

How many high school graduates go to college?

Within two years of high school graduation, 70% of students enroll in postsecondary education 27% in public 4-year institutions 13% in private 4-year institutions 27% in 2-year institutions

Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education 2007

How many students entering college need remediation?

Over 1/4 of incoming students at four-year colleges must take one or more remedial course

At some community colleges, the figure reaches 60%

Overall, federal statistics suggest that 40% of college students take at least one remedial course

Leaving high school without being prepared for postsecondary training or entering the workforce costs our nation $16 billion each year

Differing Perceptions on How Well Incoming College Students Can Write

Not well Not well prepareprepare

dd

Somewhat Somewhat well well

preparedprepared

Very well Very well preparedprepared

Don’t knowDon’t know

High High SchoolSchool

10%10% 49%49% 36%36% 4%4%

CollegeCollege 44%44% 47%47% 6%6% 3%3%

Six times as many high school teachers think students are very well prepared for college writing than do college faculty

Chronicle of Higher Education, v. 52, no. 27, B9, March 6, 2006Chronicle of Higher Education, v. 52, no. 27, B9, March 6, 2006

The Four Key Dimensions of College Readiness

Center for Educational Policy Research--2007

The Four Key Dimensions of College Readiness

Key Cognitive Strategies: Analytical reasoning, problem solving, inquisitiveness,

precision, interpretation, evaluating claims Key Content Knowledge

Writing skills, algebraic concepts, key foundational content and “big ideas” from core subjects

Academic Behaviors (self-management) Persistence, time management, study group use, awareness

of performance Contextual Skills and Awareness (“college knowledge”)

Admissions requirements, cost of college, purpose and opportunities of college, types of colleges, college culture, relations with professors

Center for Educational Policy Research--2007

METSA’s Response

Key Cognitive Strategies: Taught & assessed in every course throughout

the 4 years of high school 21st Century Skills (our Learning Outcomes) are

woven into content areas

NTF recognizes METSA as a 21st century school--10/28/08

Expert Panels assess presentations of learning Professional culture & our core values--

Respect, Responsibility and Trust

METSA’s Response

Key Content Knowledge: Taught & assessed using Project-Based-Learning

Real-world Relevant (Creating Need-to-Know) Rigorous

9th & 10th grade—Pre-AP (AP Exams in World History & Spanish)

11th & 12th grades—Pre-AP, Dual-Credit, AP Differentiation (Content, Product, Process)

Integrated Projects Power Standards (in-depth focus on key content areas) Math & ELA Skills Alignment (in collaboration with the community

college--making sure students are ready to take the Accuplacer by spring of their 10th grade)

METSA’s ResponseAcademic Behaviors (self-management)

Habits of Mind are taught in 9th-12th grades--focusing on 4 areas each year

All projects are done in teams Students develop contract & project-plan

METSA’s Response

Contextual Skills & Awareness (college knowledge): Field-based Experiences (Field Trips, Clubs,

Competitions) SAT Preparation for every student begins in 9th

grade Power Lunches College Visits Shadowing in 10th grade Internship & Capstone Project Community Service

METSA’s Faculty

Plan, Teach & Assess: Content Knowledge 21st Century Skills Habits of Mind

Plan and Participate in: Field Trips Clubs & Competitions Advisory

METSA’s Challenges Advancing Students Past Pre-Cal in Math Reading & Math Bridge Programs (Driven by

Data) Motivating Students Who Lack Fundamental

Skills Challenging Advance Students in Multi-

Abilities Classroom The Right Professional

Development for Teachers