American Association of State Colleges and Universities Engagement and the K12 Schools February 5, 2

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American Association of State Colleges and
Universities Engagement and the K-12
SchoolsFebruary 5, 2009Ensuring Successful
University-School Partnerships
__________________________ Center for
Partnerships to Improve Education

• College of Charleston
• Elise Jorgens
• Provost/Executive VP
• Frances Welch,
• Dean, School of Education, Health, and Human
  Performance
• Paula Egelson,
• Director, Center for Partnerships to Improve
  Education

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Purpose

• To improve South Carolinas students level of
  education attainment by creating effective
  partnerships among the College of Charleston,
  businesses, families, school districts, and the
  community.

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The Center for Partnerships to Improve Education

• The program involves the College of Charleston
  and the Charleston County School District.
• The Center works with a partnership school for
  several years.
• The model will be expanded to other
  low-performing urban and rural schools in South
  Carolina.
• The Centers goal is not to create another
  school improvement model, but to design an
  effective partnership approach.

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What are the Goals of the Partnership?

• Improve the performance and reduce the drop-out
  rates of students in South Carolina public
  schools.
• Increase enrollment of minority and low-income
  students in two- and four-year higher education
  institutions.
• Identify and implement a PK-16 curriculum that
  prepares South Carolina youth for employment in
  the 21st century workforce.
• Re-engage disaffected students in education.

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What are the Goals of the Partnership?

• Educate teacher candidates to work effectively in
  traditionally low-performing schools and to seek
  employment in such schools.
• Establish expectations, incentives, and
  professional development for teachers to make a
  long-term commitment to work in low-performing
  schools.
• Align curriculum and expectations between PK-12
  public schools and higher education.
• Improve understanding of issues limiting urban
  and rural students futures and identify joint
  efforts to address these issues.

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Center for Partnerships to Improve Education
Organization
Student Activity Coordinator Ms. Whittney
Wernsing
Clark Academy Mr. Andrew HaLivi
Memminger Elementary Mr. Anthony Dixon
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Baptist Hill High School Results
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Burke High School Results
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Implications for Action

• CPIE desires to achieve the following
• Change how pre-service teachers are educated
• Introduce effective methods for strengthening
  schools
• Incorporating community resources in improving
  schools
• Implement a comprehensive approach in
  articulating PK-16 curriculum

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Approaches to Partnership Development

• Emphasis on developing trust relationships
• Teacher-Professor
• Student-Professor
• Administrator CPIE Staff
• Teacher CPIE Staff
• Focused effort to prepare the school community to
  accept external assistance

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College of Charleston Campus Support

• Addlestone Library
• Admissions
• Art Department
• Avery Center
• Center for Film Documentary
• Chemistry Department
• English Department

• Education, Health, and Human Development
• Geology Department
• Lowcountry Hall of Math and Science
• Math Department
• Multicultural Center
• Office of the First Lady
• Theater Department

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Examples of Partnership Activities at Schools

• Dual enrollment
• Targeted professional development
• Intensive tutoring
• Summer enrichment program and afterschool
  activities
• Writing projects (Life as a Girl, Burke
  Roundtable Writers)
• Technical assistance

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Changes Made to Strengthen the Partnership
Relationship

• Professional Learning Communities
• Technical assistance with organizing external
  partners
• Further developed the tutoring component and
  enrichment activities for students
• Ask the question, Does this intervention
  ultimately improve student achievement?

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Lessons Learned

• Link faculty expertise to teachers in a systemic
  way
• Administrative stability and competence is very
  important
• Preparing the school to understand their needs
  and capitalize on resources
• Trust and communication are key

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For More Information
Please Contact

• Dr. Elise Jorgens
• Provost/Executive VP
• [phone]
• jorgense_at_cofc.edu
• Dr. Frances Welch
• Dean, School of Education, Health, and Human
  Performance
• (843) 953- 5613
• welchf_at_cofc.edu
• Dr. Paula Egelson
• Director, Center for Partnerships to Improve
  Education
• [phone]
• egelsonp_at_cofc.edu
• Dr. Andrew Lewis
• Associate Professor
• [phone]
• lewisa_at_cofc.edu