UPCOMING AYPF EVENTS
AYPF EVENT DETAILS
Join AYPF and MDRC for a lunchtime presentation and discussion: Accelerated Study In Associate Programs (ASAP): Opportunities & Challenges of Expanding An Effective Reform for Increasing Graduation Rates. Presenters include Sue Scrivener, Senior Associate, MDRC; Donna Linderman, University Associate Dean for Student Success Initiatives, CUNY; and Loukman Lamany, Bronx ASAP graduate and Baruch College graduate. The responding panel will discuss role of policy and challenges of scalability. Respondents include Brett Visger, Associate Vice Chancellor, Institutional Collaboration & Completion, Ohio Board of Regents; Dr. Belinda Miles, President, Cuyahoga Community College; Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); and Ajita Menon, Senior Policy Advisor for Higher Education at the White House Domestic Policy Council.
AYPF PUBLICATIONS AND RESOURCES
Forum For Thought BlogThe Forum for Thought blog is operated by the American Youth Policy Forum, and highlights diverse points of view and information from the intersection of policy, practice and research. Recent posts include AYPF program Associate Erin Russ’ blog series on the evolving perception of school discipline, and guest blogger Monica Martinez takes us on a tour of innovative schools that incorporate deeper learning into their curriculums. Our blog also features intern voices such as Samantha Wauls, who explains how her Native American heritage motivates her work as an educator on a South Dakota reservation.
Ready for Success BlogThe Ready for Success Blog, operated by College and Career Readiness and Success Center at the American Institutes of Research, provides practitioners and policymakers with many posts related to college and career readiness. Topics span the field of strategies which help prepare students for postsecondary education and beyond, including accelerated learning; dropout prevention and recovery; increased learning time; and federal, state, and local policy initiatives to name a few. AYPF’s recent contributions include AYPF Policy Research Assistant Garet Fryar’s two-part blog series on a webinar on competency-based education.
Webinar Recording: District and State Considerations for Incorporating Expanded Learning into Competency-Based SystemsWhile much of the work to move toward a competency-based system happens within schools and programs, district and state level stakeholders can play an important role, both in developing an encouraging policy context and through guidance and technical assistance. Previous webinars have showcased promising competency-based expanded learning opportunities and discussed some local considerations. This final webinar in our series highlighted the role districts and states can play in facilitating this shift and discuss the policy barriers and opportunities at play.
A recent study tour to Nashville, Tennessee provided an opportunity for national and state policy leaders to learn about and see programs and policies in action that are helping youth as they transition from the foster care system to postsecondary education and independent living.
The goal of this study tour was for participants to learn about schools that promote a focus on deeper learning through personalized learning experiences that prepare students for college and career success. Participants visited two high schools in Oakland: Envision Academy and Life Academy. The visits consisted of classroom and internship observations, student and teacher panels, and discussions with administrators and network leaders.
Deeper Learning Resource PageTo supplement the Oakland study tour review,the following is a diverse collection of deeper learning resources, which promotes active student involvement, critical thinking, and effective communication.
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RECOMMENDED READING AND RESOURCES
Check these out – recommended reading from the AYPF staff:
WT Grant FoundationCase Study: For Young Adults Who Drop Out: Pathways or Merely Stops Along the Way?This paper seeks to increase understanding of the pathways to education and employment that are available to young adults who have dropped out of school and are unemployed. It provides detailed descriptions of programs that are designed and managed by community-based organizations. It includes responses from youth participants, a summary of key practices, and recommendations for funders, researchers and providers.
AchieveStudent Assessment Inventory for School DistrictsThe Student Assessment Inventory for School Districts is a tool district leaders can use to take stock of their assessments and assessment strategy, and do so from a student perspective. The tool supports a process by which districts evaluate the assessments students are taking, determine the minimum testing necessary to serve essential diagnostic, instructional and accountability purposes, and work to ensure that every district-mandated test is of high quality, is providing the information needed for specific school and district purposes, and is supported by structures and routines so that assessment results are actually used and action steps taken that will help students.
Pew Charitable Trusts States Collaborate to Keep Track of StudentsIdaho, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii recently participated in a pilot project to share data on student outcomes. Run by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), the project analyzed 192,689 students, including 2005 graduates of public high schools and students at public colleges from 2005 to 2011 in the four states.
City University of New York Mainstreaming Remedial Mathematics Students in Introductory StatisticsThe City University of New York System recently conducted a study comparing how students performed in traditional remedial mathematics, which is elementary algebra, versus college-level, credit-bearing introductory statistics. According to the results, the benefits of credit-bearing plus workshop are clear, students can progress more quickly to a degree while also avoiding the stigma of being placed into remediation.
Harvard GSE Creating Pathways to Prosperity: A Blueprint for Action This report provides an overview introduction to Pathways issues, a chapter that distills and summarizes recommendations from the 2013 Pathways conference workshops, and a structured summary for each workshop.
