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College and Career Readiness Leadership Summit
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January 8, 2008
The College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA
Sponsored by
The Massachusetts Department of Education and Massachusetts Board of Higher Education in collaboration with other key stakeholder groups.
Description
The Summit convened approximately 350 state leaders from higher education, K-12 education, workforce development and other groups to focus on improving college and career readiness for youth through a comprehensive regional approach.
The goals of the Summit were to:
- Present strategies to increase college-going rates for low income, struggling and 1st generation students who are better prepared for college and careers.
- Dramatically improve the alignment and expectations between high school and higher education to increase postsecondary degree attainment and career opportunities for graduates.
- Strengthen regional secondary, postsecondary and workforce partnerships to improve outcomes for youth.
Morning breakout sessions were designed to help inform regional team time by highlighting system-building efforts that involve multiple partners supporting youth to become college and career ready.
Top Level Messages
- Need to target low-income and first generation to college youth
- Importance of partnerships
- Using data and evidence to drive decisions about actions to take
- Preparing students for careers and citizenship in the 21st century global economy
- College and career readiness standards are the same in the global economy
- We are about how to get kids college and career ready
Title of Session
Communities and Schools for Success (CS²): Creating Partnerships to Re-Engage Massachusetts’ Youth and Prepare Them for College, Careers, and Civic Responsibility
Members of the CS² statewide educational network provided an overview of the CS² model and network’s role in system building efforts across the state. The panelists also spoke to how they, as CS² Entrepreneurs, have been catalysts for system building efforts in their local communities. They offered examples of how innovative community partnerships play a critical role in creating more comprehensive and responsive systems that incorporate young people’s diverse needs, assets, and skills, so they can successfully re-engage with the educational and workforce systems and be college and career ready.
Presenters
Talitha Abramsen, Senior Program Manager at Commonwealth Corporation
Talitha Abramsen currently leads the Communities and Schools for Success (CS²) statewide drop out prevention network that is comprised of eight communities across the state.
Shailah Stewart, Partnership Coordinator, Brockton Public Schools/CS² Entrepreneur
Shailah Stewart is a CS² Entrepreneur based out of Brockton Public Schools. She is responsible for coordinating community/school partnerships and is the project lead for a U.S. Department of Labor grant that Brockton received to develop a comprehensive sustainable long-term plan for educational options for Brockton youth so that all attain educational credentials and develop post-secondary plans.
Thomas Hughes, Director of Student Services, Fitchburg Public Schools/CS² Entrepreneur
Thomas Hughes is a CS² Entrepreneur working out of Fitchburg Public High School. Working in conjunction with the Guidance Department and district administrators, he has spearheaded system-building efforts in the greater Fitchburg community, partnering with the local Workforce Investment Board, the Mayor’s Office, the area Chambers of Commerce, Fitchburg Police Department and institutions of higher education in an effort to positively impact student engagement and academic achievement at the high school.
PowerPoint Presentation
