To put recommendations from the planning phase for Graduate NYC into action, seven Project Teams were developed with the goals of increasing students’ math and literacy skills, improving advisement and communication about college-readiness from early education through college, and improving the way CUNY and the DOE share data. The seven Teams worked on a variety of projects, including creating a list of college readiness and success programs throughout NYC, researching curriculum alignment between high school and college, and examining data on student success. The Teams included staff and administrators from CUNY, DOE and community based organizations. Each Team was expected to report their progress by June 30, at which point the Year 2 (2011-2012) strategy would be determined.
For a complete list of Project Team Deliverables click
here.
The Graduate NYC 2010-2011 Project Teams included:
- Math Proficiency
- Goal: Increase the number of students attaining basic college level math skills through college entrance.
- Team Chairs: Joan Lucariello (CUNY), Linda Curtis-Bey (DOE)
- Reading and Writing Proficiency
- Goal: Increase the number of students attaining basic college level reading and writing skills through college entrance.
- Team Chairs: Karrin Wilks (CUNY), Vanda Belusic-Vollor (DOE)
- Transition Programs
- Goal: Increase student participation in transitional programs to support student proficiency and progress in college.
- Team Chairs: Eric Hofmann (CUNY), Lisa Anzalone (DOE), Sandra Escamilla (YDI)
- External Awareness
- Goal: Increase student and family understanding of college ready requirements and the CUNY admissions process, and of what it takes to be successful in college.
- Team Chairs: Clare Norton (CUNY), Ojeda Hall (DOE), Lisa Cowan (Student Success Centers)
- Internal Awareness and Capacity
- Goal: Increase secondary “advisor” understanding of college ready requirements and the CUNY admissions process, and improve college advisor practice to better support students when they transition to CUNY.
- Team Chairs: Donna Linderman (CUNY), Elayna Konstan (DOE), Lan To (Good Shepherd Services)
- FAFSA/Financial Aid Completion
- Goal: Increase citywide FAFSA/financial aid completion.
- Team Chairs: Dzelika Daniel (CUNY), Jane Heaphy (Learning Leaders)
- Longitudinal Tracking Database
- Goal: Build the CUNY/DOE longitudinal tracking database.
- Team Chairs: David Crook (CUNY), Jennifer Bell-Ellwanger (DOE)
Research and Resources from the Graduate NYC 2010-2011 Project Teams included:
Graduate NYC Program Survey
During the Spring of 2011, Graduate NYC conducted a survey of NYC-based programs working with youth to support college readiness, access, transition and success rates. Over a four-week period the survey was sent to 253 organizations, of which 156 programs responded. The survey collected information in the following areas: populations served, funding, available programming, program structures, data collection, communication, and professional development. This survey will be used to inform the development of professional development, web-based tools and resources Graduate NYC provides to NYC-based programs.
Postsecondary Readiness and Success Programs and Services
Graduate NYC created a list of programs and services available to NYC students and youth that provide postsecondary readiness and support. Graduate NYC plans to expand this list to include useful information, such as eligibility and start dates, and share it online in the coming months. This list is not exhaustive, if you have additions please contact Ariela Friedman at
ariela.friedman@mail.cuny.edu
Click here to see a map of programs
Graduate NYC Advisor Survey
During the Summer of 2011, Graduate NYC conducted a survey of professional staff members at CUNY, whose primary duty is to deliver advisement services to students. Over four-weeks, the survey was sent to approximately 299 staff members across CUNY, and 172 individuals responded (56%). The survey collected information in the following areas: training, utilization and communication, practice and structure, access to information, developmental education, and job satisfaction. The survey results will be utilized at CUNY to improve advisement services.
Professional Development for College Readiness and Success Counseling
Gathering resources from across the internet, the Internal Advisement Team collected information on professional development available to college readiness and success counseling staff.
Graduate NYC Focus Group Research Project: Global Strategy Group Report
The work of the Graduate NYC External Awareness Team in Spring 2011 led to the decision to conduct a series of student and parent focus groups about college readiness and success. Graduate NYC hired Global Strategy Group to hold these focus groups over the summer for the purpose of gathering information from our target audiences (high school and college students, parents, and out-of-school youth) about the following topics: primary motivations for attending college; barriers to college entry; sources of information about college that students, parents, and young adults trust; what kinds of messages students and young adults hear about college and what it takes to be successful; and, methods of communication that students and young adults use and prefer.
Self-Assessment of Student and Family Communications about College Readiness and Success
This self-assessment tool was developed by the Graduate NYC External Awareness Team in Spring 2011. It is designed for use by any school, agency, or organization seeking to analyze and improve its communications to students and families about college readiness and success.
