Program
Another Route to College (ARC) is an alternative senior year for high school students who have not succeeded on required statewide tests. Modeled after CommCorp's Diploma Plus Program, ARC applies similar elements to help students master the state's graduation tests.
Need
MCAS and other high stakes tests present a challenge to many students in moving on to college. These youth may have completed other high school requirements, but have not passed one or more sections of the MCAS. The number of youth who fail the MCAS is especially high among urban youth in large schools.
Solution
ARC exposes students to college-level work and career opportunities while at the same time giving them the support they need to pass the tests. Students are organized into small groups for a success seminar and instruction in MCAS-related skills development and test-taking strategies.
Impact
Students stay engaged in their education and focused on their future rather than dropping out. Most earn a regular high school diploma and go on to college, where eighty percent earn a “C” or better. Exit interviews suggest that students who persist in the program have higher aspirations for their future.
