|
Home :: Newsroom :: EGUSD in the Spotlight
EGUSD in the Spotlight
Valley High School Students Get a Start on College
Valley High School students got a head start on the California State University system when the CSU/AT&T Road to College Tour launched from their campus on September 10, 2008.
Photo: The EGUSD Board poses with VIP attendees to the bus tour kick-off. (l to r): EGUSD Board Member Priscilla Cox, EGUSD Board Member Pollyanna Cooper-LeVangie, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, EGUSD Superintendent Dr. Steven M. Ladd, EGUSD Board Clerk William Lugg, Jr., EGUSD Board Member Jeanette Amavisca, EGUSD Board Member Chet Madison, Sr., AT&T California President Ken McNeely
Photo: EGUSD Superintendent Dr. Steven M. Ladd chats briefly with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell before the event gets started.
The kick-off event included a visit from Superintendent Steven M. Ladd, Ed.D., EGUSD board members, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed, California’s Assistant Secretary for Higher Education Vincent Stewart, CSUS President Alexander Gonzales, President of AT&T California Kenneth McNeely and other dignitaries.
The bus tour is part of a partnership between AT&T and CSU to increase high school students’ access to college. The 40-foot bus is equipped with computers that enabled students to connect to CSUMentor, CSU’s online planning and application website. University counselors and students assisted more than 100 Valley High School students with finding more information about CSUs schools. The bus was made possible through a $1.6 million grant from AT&T to the CSU system.
"Finding ways to engage students and place them on the pathway to college and careers is a top priority at Elk Grove Unified School District,” Superintendent Ladd said. “This collaboration between CSU and AT&T will support our excellent counseling program and our partnerships with institutions of higher learning in providing valuable information to our students. We are grateful and energized when community members and businesses come forward to help us encourage our students to attend college.”
The program added to the number of tools that Valley High School offers its students to prepare for college and careers. Through Valley High School’s focus on preparing students for their futures, the school has doubled the number of students completing A-G requirements from 21 percent in 2005 to 30 percent in 2007.
Photo:
Valley High School principal Keven MacDonald invites attendees to take a look at the bus and the new CSU Mentor computer program.
“Valley High School’s staff has worked diligently supporting the Elk Grove Unified School District’s College and Career initiative. Our partnership with the CSUS system is an excellent example of how educational communities work together with Valley High School to provide the access all students deserve,” Valley High School Principal Keven MacDonald said.
One of the successful strategies the school has undertaken is the Sac State-4-All partnership with California State University, Sacramento. For the past two years, Valley High counselors have worked with all students who have completed their A-G state university admissions requirements to fill-out applications. The high school has further assisted students in need with paying the $55 application fee.
Photo:
A Valley High School student chats with a counselor while working on the bus.
The program has been a success. The number of Valley High School students who successfully completed CSU applications rose by 56 percent from 2005 to 2007.
Valley High School has also taken full advantage of the district’s PSAT For All program. This program encourages students to take the PSAT by offering it during the school day and by making it available free of charge to the students. The district, through its partnership with the College Board, pays for the test fee for any EGUSD sophomore who wishes to take it. The PSAT allows students a practice at the SAT. It also acts as a tool for counselors and school staff to identify students who are ready to take advanced placement courses.
Photo:
A counselor assists two Valley High School students with the CSUMentor program.
At Valley High School, the number of students taking the PSAT rose from a 4 percent participation rate in 2005-2006 to 80 percent in 2007-2008. During the same time period, the EGUSD participation rate rose from 16 percent to 79 percent in 2007-2008. The numbers of students participating are now far higher than the state level at 34 percent and the nation at 37 percent.
Another successful college preparatory pathway at Valley High School is the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program. AVID’s emphasis is on ensuring all students have an opportunity to be eligible for a four-year college or university. The Valley High AVID program has 98 percent of its graduates attending a four-year university or college.
“Valley High School has come a long way in the last five years. The counselors at Valley no longer see the high school diploma as a measure of success. The true measure is to meet the district’s goal of all students being college/career ready upon graduation” said Valley High School’s head counselor Ron Riebeek. “I truly believe all students can go on to post secondary education. The trick and job of the counselor is to provide as many pathways to success as possible. At Valley we have created so many pathways a road map is required.”
Just last spring, Valley High School began a new program in partnership with Cosumnes River College, called “CRC ASAP” (As Soon As Possible). Counselors met with all seniors and assisted them in the completion of CRC applications. As a result 98 percent of the senior class successfully completed and submitted their applications to CRC. Students were then given the opportunity to take their English and Math placement tests at Valley. These tests were proctored by both Valley and CRC counselors.
Another unique partnership that Valley High School has offered to its students is through the California Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness Program (GEAR UP), a federal program of the U.S. Department of Education. This partnership supports a program that offers information, resources and support services for students, families, teachers, counselors and administrators.
Valley High School also offers a number of career technical education programs that place students on paths towards both careers and college. The Teacher Academy provides students an opportunity to explore the field of education. The Health TECH Academy introduces students to the medical field. The Junior Air Force ROTC program provides students with a background in the Air Force and military.
Photo:
Valley High School students work at laptops on the bus.
Spotlight Archives
2008
August 25, 2008 - Elizabeth Pinkerton Middle School and Cosumnes Oaks High School Open
August 14, 2008 - Incoming 7th graders take a “Jump Start” into their school year
August 4, 2008 - EGUSD’s Math Initiative
July 14, 2008 - Parents and students grow and learn together at Partners Preschool
June 16, 2008 - EGUSD Goes Gold – Celebrating 50 Years of Educational Excellence
June 6, 2008 - Kaiser Permanente Rewards EGUSD Elementary students with perfect attendance with the gift of a two-wheel ride
May 30, 2008 - Sheldon High School Student Matthew King wins Elk Grove Auto Mall 2007/2008 Graduating Seniors Attendance Drive
May 20, 2008 - Harriet Eddy Middle School student wins pair of round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines
May 21, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified and the Elk Grove Education Association Celebrate the Day of the Teacher
May 6, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified School District’s 2008 Employees of the Year
April 28, 2008 - Sacramento County Educators Host Budget Forum at State Capital
April 16, 2008 - EGUSD Launches New Attendance Campaign Videos
April 4, 2008 - Winners selected for 3rd Annual Superintendent’s Art Contest
March 26, 2008 - Megaconference Jr. 2008 - Arthur C. Butler Students Take Their Voices to the World
March 17, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified Joins Call to Fix Governor’s Proposed Budget
March 4, 2008 - Elk Grove Unified Hosts Sacramento County Superintendents’ Press Conference on State Budget Cuts
Feb. 19, 2008 - 4th Annual High School Conference helps train the leaders of the future
Jan. 16, 2008 - Laguna Creek High School hosts ConnectEd Policy Site Visit
Jan. 02, 2008 - Senior Attendance Drive returns for second year
2007
Dec. 12, 2007 - John Ehrhardt Elementary students combine academics and community service
Dec. 03, 2007 - EGUSD’s Commitment to Service Learning Honored
Nov. 15, 2007 - Winners announced for No Excuses – Go to School Rhyme & Poster Contests
Nov. 13, 2007 - Veterans Day celebrated at Elk Grove Unified
Oct. 23, 2007 - Time of Remembrance Project and Website
Oct. 15, 2007 - Markofer Elementary offers “Donuts for Dads/Muffins for Moms"
Oct. 3, 2007 - EGUSD elementary schools participate in Walk to School Day
Sept. 18, 2007 - Options abound on new College and Career website
Link back to the EGUSD Newsroom
top of page
|
