Summer Quest

A Chicago Public Schools Success StoryCollege Access Affinity Group Conference CallMay 22, 2013

1

Summer Quest History

In 2003, Arne Duncan, CEO, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), invested significant financial and human resources to create the Department of Postsecondary Education.

2

Department of Postsecondary Education at CPS

Greg Darneider, Director, Department of Postsecondary Education, developed an unprecedented district wide strategy for CPS high school students’ postsecondary success.

3

Summer Quest played an integral part in overall CPS strategy

Key activities • Introductions to post-secondary educational opportunities

• Supplemental academic preparation and leadership development

• Application support for college admissions, financial aid, and scholarships

• Enrollment support

• Advocate HS environments that develop leadership skills necessary for college success

• Transition to college

Programs offered

• Summer Quest

4

Awareness Readiness Access Success

“Our work is framed by four essential principles – awareness, readiness, access and success – that guide students’ successful transitions to four-year universities, community colleges, technical programs or vocational school.”

CPS Department of Post-Secondary Education

CPS strategy for sponsored programs:

5

Summer Quest Mission Statement

To prepare motivated Chicago Public Schools high school students to participate in unique summer learning opportunities by providing pre-college counseling and need-based financial support. Summer Quest challenges students to envision, explore, and experience college culture, requirements, and learning options with the goal of increasing enrollment in college and other post-secondary learning programs.

Summer Quest Core Program Elements6

Pre-College Counseling Pre-College Summer Learning

Opportunities External Resources and Relationships Program Evaluation and Research

The Summer Quest student profile

100%

Reducedlunch

eligibility

Free orreduced

lunch

Full pricelunch

7

Source: Summer Quest database, 2006

0

20

40

60

80

100%

Chicagoarea home

West

South

Other

North

Summer Quest enrollments

Students represented many

Chicago communities

~75% qualified for reduced cost lunch

100%

StudentGPA

3.0 andabove

2.0 to2.9

1.0 to1.9

Students came from a range of

academic profiles

Ethnicity

Other

Caucasian

Hispanic

AfricanAmerican

100%

Participants came from a number of

ethnic backgrounds

~70% of participants were

female

100%

Studentgender

Female

Male

Results: students developed many important skills

8

0

20

40

60

80

100%

2004

Personalgrowth

Academicadvancement

Changedperceptions

of college

Q: What was the most significant part of your Summer Quest experience?

• Increased desire to attend, better prepared, etc.

• Better work ethic, gained specific skills, etc.

• Higher self confidence, increased self awareness, etc.

9

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

2005 2006 2007

Summer Quest

District

*Source: National Student Clearinghouse Data

Results: CPS pre-college pipeline programs consistently out performed the district in college enrollment numbers

College enrollment for College Bridge and Summer Quest are significantly higher than the district: ~ 50-55 % higher college enrollment rates; ~ 40% higher 4 year college enrollment rate ; ~10% higher full time enrollment rate

Summer Quest

Indicator 2008 2007 2006

College enrollment rate

78.5% 89.1% 70.5 %

% enrolled in 4 year college

94.0% 96.5 % 97.7 %

% enrolled full time

90.5% 84.2 % 83.7 %

CPS College Enrollment Rate

2008 52.5%

2007 50.0 %

2006 47.9 %

Results: CPS pre-college pipeline programs consistently out performed the district in college enrollment numbers

10

11

Student Voices

My Summer Quest Experience was Amazing! I met new friends, rock climbed and challenged myself everyday to try a little harder each day. If I had the chance to do it again I would do it in a heartbeat.

12

Student VoicesI took four courses during my stay•Biomechanics•Biochemistry•Vehicle Collision•Engineering for a sustainable society

I went to a couple of field trips

•General Motors•Salvage yard•2 local hospitals•Base Camp•Cedar Point•Fluid Systems plant•Kettering University’s President’s home

We did a couple of special projects

•Built a ramp at a sick woman’s home•Restaurant Class•Making a product eco-friendly

Everything involved teamworkEvery experience that I was in, taught me that

teamwork and confidence is what you need to succeed. When I was in class, I met girls fully engaged in the subject. They contributed to the fullest, and I realized that those kind of people DO exist!

13

Questions

More Information

Contact: Rhonda BellAri Bee ConsultingPhone: 847.404.2211Email: rhondabell@hotmail.com

14