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STORY JUMP MENU
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A Note from Regional VP Robert J. Alig |
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I had the opportunity to participate, as an observer, in the administration of the PSAT/NMSQT® at Lankenau High School in Philadelphia in October. Lankenau High School is a fairly small, public high school in the northwest section of Philadelphia. It is a well-regarded high school within the Philadelphia School District, but it is a far cry from the wealth and prestige of some of the suburban high schools just a few miles away.
I was greeted by Barbara Martella, along with a few teachers and others administering the PSAT/NMSQT. Mrs. Martella had everything well organized, and she had clearly prepared her colleagues with individual responsibilities. She told me that this was the 10th time she had administered the PSAT/NMSQT, and it was obvious that she had invested a lot of herself in the process over the years.
I distributed tests booklets and supplies to each of the four classrooms. I asked Mrs. Martella how many people worked in the guidance office with her. She gave me a wry smile and said, "I am the guidance office for these 325 students."
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As we walked up the stairs to the third floor, Mrs. Martella asked me if we could stop at each landing to rest. My quizzical expression prompted her to share with me that she was in the midst of her third battle with cancer and had just had another round of chemotherapy the day before. She was clearly struggling as we climbed the stairs. Mrs. Martella read my thoughts and explained, "I cannot stop and spend the day at home today because we have to administer this test. We have to give these kids every possible chance to make it to college."
While I went to Lankenau High School to observe the administration of the PSAT/NMSQT, I left with an appreciation of what it really takes to create equitable access to a college education. Mrs. Martella left an indelible imprint on me as someone whose work with and commitment to students embodies the mission of the College Board to connect students to college success and opportunity. It is a privilege for me and my colleagues in the College Board's Middle States Regional Office to work with colleagues like Barbara Martella as she does her work with our students.
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Maryland Receives AP® Incentive Grant |
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Maryland students have received support and encouragement through Project Great Expectations, an AP® incentive grant in the Middle States Region. This four-year effort targeted school districts and high schools with at least 40 percent of its students eligible for free or reduced-priced meals and sought to increase participation and performance in AP classes. Since 2003, it has provided new opportunities for students to achieve in English, mathematics, social studies and science.
Ten districts in Maryland took part and received federal funding for professional development and AP student support, including regional conferences and school-based workshops to help teachers and students.
High Point High School in Prince George's County exemplified the success of this grant.
Beverly Harrison, High Point's AP Coordinator, said the benefits have extended from teachers to potential AP students.
"We were able to use the grant to increase the number of offerings from eight to 16 this year, and to train multiple teachers," she said. Enrollment in AP classes has increased from 387 last year to 663 this fall. The grant money also provided professional development for teachers who were new to the AP program.
At Col. Richardson High School in Federalsburg, Principal Christine Handy Collins targeted classes that seemed to be gateways to AP courses, namely an honors English class and Algebra II. Working with middle school teachers, she aimed to boost enrollment overall and particularly of minority students in those classes. The results appeared as the years went by, increasing AP enrollment more than fivefold.
"We had an assembly, getting kids ready for AP Exams last year," said Handy Collins, who is now the principal at Gaithersburg High School. "When I walked into that auditorium and saw so many more students of color, growing from five to 40 over the years, it made me so proud."
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The Miracle of New York |
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"If we're prepared to be bold, we can actually transform our education system so that every kid can have a fair shot at the American Dream," said New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, addressing attendees of Forum 2007 in New York.
Appearing at one of the Forum's inspirational plenary sessions, Klein and Matthew Goldstein, chancellor of the City University of New York, discussed the turnaround efforts at their respective institutions. New York City recently received the Broad Prize for the most improved large urban school district in the country. Goldstein, meanwhile, has steadily raised CUNY's admissions standards since he was named chancellor in 1999, restoring its reputation in the process.
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"They said it couldn't be done," said College Board President Gaston Caperton. He dubbed their accomplishments the "Miracle of New York."
Goldstein said, we live in "an innovation age," as he stirred educators at the breakfast meeting with a call to action to create a more educated workforce, especially in science and technology. "This is a national security issue," he said. "This is a wake-up call to the United States."
"Unless we collectively get our arms around the importance of investing in education and hold people accountable," Goldstein concluded, "we will be sliding down compared to countries who had their wake-up call earlier."
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2008 Middle States Regional Forum
Feb. 13-15, 2008
Sheraton Atlantic City
Convention Center
Atlantic City, N.J.
Join us in Atlantic City for an engaging three-day program, specifically tailored to meet the needs of academic, guidance and admissions, and financial aid professionals. |
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| Click here for more information on regional events. |
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Welcome New
Members to Your Region
At the College Board’s Annual meeting, 313 institutions were elected as members of the College Board. |
 (PDF) |
Click here
to view a list of new members in your region |
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Regional
Council Roster
View a list of council members in your region. |
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Upcoming Regional Council Meeting Dates
Spring Meeting:
Apr. 16-18, 2008,
in Bala Cynwyd, PA
Fall Meeting:
Oct. 5-7, 2008,
location to be announced
E-mail us your announcements.
Be sure to include your region in the subject line.
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The College Board
MiddleStates Regional Office
Two Bala Plaza, Suite 900 Bala
Cynwyd, PA 19004-1501
Phone: (866) 392-3019
Fax: (610) 227-2580
Send us a message
Albany Office State Services Office
122 South Swan Street
Albany, NY 12210-1715
Phone: (518) 472-1515
Fax: (518) 472-1516
Send us a message |
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