Eighth graders from nine middle schools are college students for a day - 11/13/07

On their campus visits, BCPS students use CCBC computers to research colleges and careers.

For many eighth graders, the idea of college seems far removed. They are more concerned with their next immediate challenge – high school. But in Baltimore County, this is changing. Through the new College Gateway Partnership, an initiative of Baltimore County Public Schools and the Community College of Baltimore County, the opportunity to spend a day at college is helping thousands of middle school students envision themselves as future college students.

On September 12, approximately 25 students from a Baltimore County middle school — along with their teachers and school counselors — were on each of the college’s three campuses, spending the day engaged in classes specially created for them and taught by CCBC and BCPS faculty. Students from Dundalk Middle School were on the Dundalk campus, students from Woodlawn Middle School were on the Catonsville campus, and students from Middle River Middle School were on the Essex campus.

The program is continuing throughout the school year so that every eighth-grade student from nine selected BCPS middle schools – a total of more than 2,000 students – will have the opportunity to experience college first-hand. Participating schools are: Deep Creek, Dundalk, Golden Ring, Holabird, Lansdowne, Middle River, Old Court, and Woodlawn middle schools and Loch Raven Technical Academy.

Preparation for success in college, careers, and life

“Baltimore County Public Schools is committed to preparing all students for success in college, careers, and life,” said Superintendent Dr. Joe A. Hairston, “and CCBC is committed to making higher education accessible for all. This new initiative builds on our existing partnership and our shared interest in supporting young people in reaching their full potential.”

“Through this initiative,” Superintendent Hairston added, “students will better understand the connection between the work they do in their classes today and their future educational and career options.”

On the Agenda: A typical College Gateway Partnership day

9:15-9:45 a.m. Welcome by CCBC staff (including an overview of CCBC programs, “Why Choose College?” video, and college vocabulary activity) 9:45-10:30 a.m. Lesson by BCPS staff (including Accuplacer, college application process, and developing a course schedule) 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tour of college library and Career Development Center (including CCBC-led activity on using the computer to research colleges and careers) 11:15 a.m.-12:00 noon Lunch in the CCBC cafeteria 12:00-1:15 p.m. Campus tour 1:15-1:45 p.m. Class led by a CCBC professor 1:45-2:00 p.m. Student evaluation of the day 2:00 p.m. Board buses to return to school First impressions of college On September 12, Naomy Soto-Coleman, school counseling chair at Dundalk Middle School, visited the Dundalk campus of CCBC along with science teacher Patricia Knight and 24 students. “The students were really looking forward to going,” she says. “They were very curious about what the day would entail. Since their trip to the campus, the students have been telling other 8th-graders what they will experience there, Soto-Coleman said. “They are really stirring up the other students’ excitement.” Most of the students at Dundalk were especially excited about the time they spent in the college’s Career Center. “My favorite thing about the college was when we were in the computer lab looking at our careers,” said student Timothy W. Student Brooke W. said, “I learned that in college you learn everything about your future and that you need personality traits and a positive attitude to stay organized and focused.” Another strong impression Dundalk’s students came away with was the degree of independence college students have. “What surprised me most about college,” said Timothy, “was that you can pick your own time to go to class. Also the people out of class just played games like they weren’t in college.” James R., another Dundalk student, agreed. “What surprised me the most was the way [administrators] ran the college – [students] leaving when [they] needed to leave. And you only have to take five classes.”

According to CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis, “Early exposure to the college experience plants the seed that college is within reach and worthwhile. We welcome the chance to share the wide array of top-notch, affordable college programs and services available to Baltimore County students within their own communities. We want the students to discover CCBC as their gateway to a college degree, career success, and a rewarding life.”

During their day on campus, students learn about college as a way to prepare for careers, the college application process, how to manage a college schedule, college course requirements, and tips for academic success in college. In addition to taking a tour of the campus, students spend time in the Library/Career Center working on computers to research colleges and careers of interest.

Before and after the day on campus, students participate in classroom lessons at their schools to prepare them for the visit and then to reflect on the experience. Among other topics, the lessons address perceived obstacles to higher education and how those obstacles can be overcome.

A capstone to BCPS college readiness activities

“The new College Gateway Partnership is a major addition, a capstone, to our college readiness activities for secondary students,” said Superintendent Hairston. “Far more than a field trip, it is an authentic learning experience for students, an opportunity to walk the campus, sit in the classrooms, and learn from professors, just as they would in college.”

The BCPS continuum of college readiness activities includes the CollegeEd curriculum (produced by the College Board) for seventh-grade students and the Early College Awareness program for eighth-grade students, sponsored by the Harvard Alumni Association. In high school, college awareness activities intensify with Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), Advanced Placement courses, TechPrep, and other initiatives.

The existing partnership between Baltimore County Public Schools and CCBC contributes significantly to this continuum. The partnership features parallel and dual enrollment programs (through which students can earn college credits while still in high school); a college readiness reading, writing, and math curriculum co-developed by BCPS and CCBC staff; and CCBC students who serve as AVID tutors.

Story by Diana L. Spencer, communications officer. Photos by Charles Herndon, communications specialist.

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