FAREWELL to Mrs. Rigdon
As overjoyed as we were with the good news of our grant application approval, we were equally distressed to learn that our Coordinator, Mrs. Brittany Rigdon was leaving us to pursue other opportunities. Not only will the students in those communities and schools who have demonstrated ongoing need will miss her caring spirit and support, but we will miss her significant contributions to educational access and attainment.
To Mrs. Rigdon, thank you, for bringing her positive attitude to work every day. Projects become easier to execute, changes become easier to implement and problems become easier to solve. A perfect employee is the one who inspires her boss as much as her boss inspires her. Thanks for being my inspiration.
Available Services For Fall 2017
Tutoring:
We are starting our weekly tutoring program. Tutoring is on Monday through Thursday, from 4pm to 7pm. Tutoring is available for Math, English, Science, French and Chemistry.
All students whose cumulative GPA has fallen below a 2.3 or are failing any subject are required to attend tutoring every week. Tutoring is not a punishment, but a support to assist you in understanding the material so you can succeed. Intervention is the key is improving your grades. If you need tutoring, please contact me or the tutors directly, to schedule individual appointments. I am also working on an online tutoring service, which should be available shortly.
Nana Marfo: Chemistry Nana@udel.edu
Taurance Chisholm: Algebra and Science tchizjr@udel.edu
Larissa Thermidor: English and French lsthermid@udel.edu
Jacob Verbanas: Advanced Math jverb@udel.edu
Tobenna Amanfo: Advanced Math amanfot@udel.edu
UBC EXPANDS PARTNERSHIPS
We formed an exciting partnership with OnTrack this academic year. OnTrack to Post-Secondary Education is an online e-learning college and career readiness program for high school age students to understand the process of achieving post-secondary education. OnTrack provides students with a step-by-step guide on the college process.
OnTrack also provides 9th-12th grade students with the knowledge to complete their educational experience through weekly grade-specific video modules. Using the prescribed OnTrack curriculum, students are prepared to apply to post-secondary schools, gain acceptance, and receive financial aid to those schools
Sign-up instructions:
- Before you sign up, you should watch this walk-through video, which explains how to use OnTrack:
- https://ontrack.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=477ba6a6-04e3-4cea-9901-6f10944e528bStudents will then go tocom and click the Sign Up button.
- To sign up, you will need an Access Code, which you will put on the first page of their sign up. The Access Code for our program is: UDUB1
- The sign-up process is 3 quick pages and the issues you might face on them are covered in the document I linked to earlier.
- I’ve attached document that shows you how to turn off the pop-up blocker. That’s often the number one issue students face after they sign up. (Please refer to the pop-up blocker document)
SAT with Khan Academy:
We also partnered with Khan Academy, which is a free online SAT prep services. Khan Academy and College Board has formed a partnership to provide a free, personalized study plan to prepare under representative students to successfully score higher on the SAT. It is a very easy and simple process. You can create an account at https://www.khanacademy.org/sat and begin the online practice and tutorial.
Khan Academy offers practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard that empower learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. They tackle math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. Their math missions guide learners from kindergarten to calculus using state-of-the-art, adaptive technology that identifies strengths and learning gaps. They’ve also partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, The California Academy of Sciences, and MIT to offer specialized content. It is very useful. We encourage all program participants to use it.
New Delaware Scholarship Compendium Released:
The scholarship compendium is a must read for senior and underclassmen families to see what financial opportunities are available for college. http://scholarships.delawaregoestocollege.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/2017-2018-Delaware-Scholarship-Compendium-0905.pdf
RECORD ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE!
In UBC, whether a Scholar has achieved A/B Honor Roll status is calculated by averaging together each individual’s grades in all 8 of their summer classes. Scholars earning a D, or F in any class are automatically disqualified since, by UBC’s definition, those are failing grades. UBC is immensely proud to announce that 100% of summer residential Scholars achieved A/B Honor Roll status. Of those, only 3 Scholar earned a C – but put forth a valiant effort! UBC was so proud of these Scholars that at the awards ceremony, UBC Team members personally and individual-ally provided them with I-Tune gift cards and certificates of achievement. It was an amazing recognition – Great Job Scholars!
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP: A DYNAMIC DUO
Education and Leadership go hand-in-hand. UBC emphasizes the significance of this powerful combination starting with its summer Leadership Institute and continuing with state, regional, and national student leadership conferences. But it doesn’t stop there. Leadership skills are an important asset to complement a degree when it is time to interview for positions – whether student, graduate, or professional. At no cost and without any pressure to be an officer in a student organization, you will have opportunities to learn and practice leadership skills in a forum that gives you access to network with other students as well as University of Delaware administrators and executives. Even if you don’t get into the UBC Leadership Institute, there are numerous opportunities for leadership at UBC. If you are interested in participating in a Leadership Institute program, please inform Dr. France.
Post 2017 Upward Bound Classic Summer Academy Report
| Courses | Pre-Test | Post Test | Average Increase | Sample Group Numbers |
| Math Averages | 55% F | 92.3% B+ | 67.82% Increase | 41 |
| English | 82% C | 92% B+ | 12.2% Increase | 43 |
| Spanish | 47% F | 81% C | 72.34% Increase | 27 |
| Science | 43% F | 80% C- | 86.05% Increase | 15 |
The data above shows the increase between participant numbers in the 2017 Summer Academy compared to those in 2016, an extraordinary increase of 215.38%. Not only did the UBC Staff recruit a higher number of participants but they were also successful in retaining new participants throughout the 6-week program. The one student who dropped did so after the week one progress report showed that she was failing all courses due to lack of course and homework completion. She decided to drop from the program by not showing up; a follow up phone call was made to her mother by the program coordinator to try and encourage her to continue with added resources and support. She declined the offer of support and will not be counted in program numbers due to not completing a full 2 weeks in the program.
Assessment of learned content in the following sections: Math, English, Spanish, and Science
The data above shows that UBC Scholars increased content knowledge significantly in all areas. Sample groups numbers vary due to the number of students placed in the courses. There was not an official pre-or post-test given in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, College Readiness, or the Leadership Seminar. These courses were assessed based on final projects and exams.
Stats: UBC Summer Success Pays Off
Orientation & the First Day
- 98% agree that orientation prepared them for what to expect this summer
- 92% agree that first-day activities gave them needed information and helped them better understand how to care for and respect themselves and others
Attitude & Personal Growth
- 100% are committed to behaving in a way that will help them achieve their goals
- 97% experienced success this summer that made them feel good about themselves
- 98% feel more positive about their future because of being in UBC
Social/Cultural
- 8% believe living in the dorm this summer will help them be more comfortable living away from home in their freshman college year
- 50% of the 68% of Scholars who lost behavior points said they learned from it; 32% did not lose any points
- 95% think we should keep doing the end-of-summer cultural trip
Academic
- An average 95% of Scholars learned something they didn’t know before in Summer Academy classes
- 98% believe that things they learned this summer will help them pass their school classes in the 2017-18 academic year
Overall
- 97% felt that the summer trip was a good incentive to work toward
- 93% felt that being in Summer Academy was helpful for them
2017-18 SAT Administration Dates and Deadlines
| SAT Date | SAT Subject Tests Available | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Deadline for Changes |
|
October 7, 2017 |
See SAT Subject Tests available on this date | September 8, 2017 |
September 19, 2017 (for mailed registrations) September 27, 2017 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
September 27, 2017 |
|
November 4, 2017 |
See SAT Subject Tests available on this date | October 5, 2017 |
October 17, 2017 (for mailed registrations) October 25, 2017 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
October 25, 2017 |
|
December 2, 2017 |
See SAT Subject Tests available on this date | November 2, 2017 |
November 14, 2017 (for mailed registrations) November 21, 2017 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
November 21, 2017 |
|
March 10, 2018 |
SAT Subject Tests not offered on this date | February 9, 2018 |
February 20, 2018 (for mailed registrations) February 28, 2018 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
February 28, 2018 |
|
May 5, 2018 |
See SAT Subject Tests available on this date | April 6, 2018 |
April 17, 2018 (for mailed registrations) April 25, 2018 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
April 25, 2018 |
|
June 2, 2018 |
See SAT Subject Tests available on this date | May 3, 2018 |
May 15, 2018 (for mailed registrations) May 23, 2018 (for registrations made online or by phone) |
May 23, 2018 |
SAT
The SAT is a national college admissions examination developed by CollegeBoard and is used to measure critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and writing skills. Many colleges and universities utilize this tool when deciding on applicants as a supplement to high school transcripts to help assess a student’s ability to complete college-level work. The CollegeBoard website allows students to register for the test, take practice tests to prepare for the exam, search for colleges of interest, and more. Visit www.CollegeBoard.com for more information.
Additionally, the website has tools specifically for helping parents and guardians aid their children in the college application process.
Source content provided by: CollegeBoard (www.collegeboard.com)
SAT Prep Guide (open Hyperlink)
The College Board has made content, format, & scoring changes to the college entrance exam, the largest change in 30 years! BestColleges.com has compiled a guide that offers students and parents a look into the logistics & style of the new SAT as well as preparation resources!
Source content provided by: CollegeBoard (www.collegeboard.com)
FREE SAT/ACT TEST-Prep
Preparation and practice for the SAT or ACT is important in helping you get the best score possible. Below are links to help prepare you for the SAT/ACT. All the links listed are free.
My College Options Information for Parents
Parent Guide http://www.mycollegeoptions.org/
My College Options is an online resource for students and parents applying for secondary education. The website answers questions frequently asked by parents and offers links to other college search resources.
Source content provided by: My College Options (www.mycollegeoptions.org)
College/Career Connection
Below are information and links to a few websites that all college-bound students should visit when planning for their post-secondary education.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
The FAFSA is a document that students complete every year that they are enrolled in post-secondary education if they want to receive a portion of the $80 billion dollars that the Federal Student Aid program disburse each year through grants, loans, and work-study. Additionally, most colleges and universities use the results of the FAFSA to determine the amount of financial aid that they award to their students. The application can be completed on paper or online.
Visit www.FAFSA.ed.gov for more information.
Source content provided by: FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov)
FAFSA PIN
A FAFSA PIN allows students to complete the FAFSA online each year that they are enrolled in post-secondary education. The PIN serves as an electronic signature and provides access to your personal information. On the website, students and parents can apply for a PIN, change a PIN, update personal information, and more. Visit www.PIN.ed.gov for more information.
Source content provided by: The PIN Site (www.pin.ed.gov)
FAFSA ID
About the FAFSA ID (open Hyperlink)
Create a FAFSA ID (open Hyperlink)
My College Options
My College Options is an online resource for students and parents applying for post-secondary education. The website allows students to search for colleges, research majors, review popular college essay topics, and more. Visit www.MyCollegeOptions.org for more information.
Source content provided by: My College Options (www.mycollegeoptions.org)