Project OUTREACH Portion of the Grant Agreement

We are requesting funds from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to support academic support programming for Project Excite students during high school. The goal of the programming is to ensure students’ academic success in high school and prepare them to be strong candidates for entrance to more selective institutions of higher education. We envision a high touch program for students. The college advisor has been given an office at the high school where she can meet with students frequently. She has spent the last few months becoming familiar with the curriculum and academic programs and support services at the high school and building trusting relationships with ETHS staff members. ETHS has given the Excite college advisor access to students’ grades and test scores. An analysis of data on Project Excite students from selection in grade 3 to their current grade level revealed issues that we want to address through programming for the high school students. These include academic skills, particularly reading comprehension and writing skills, which thwart students’ success in freshman biology; quantitative reasoning skills that are critical to students’ success in honors- and upper-level math courses; study and organizational skills, particularly tailored to different subjects; motivational issues and engagement; self-advocacy and self-help skills; and college planning and advising, especially needed by our first generation students and families. Proposed Academic Program for Project Excite High School Students Literacy/ Reading Specialist To Serve 9th And 10th Grade Students Throughout The Summer And Academic Year. There is a marked difference in comprehension and therefore academic achievement in dense content courses, such as biology, for students who receive additional reading support throughout their first high school academic year. To have access to this resource students at ETHS must fall below the 40th percentile in reading on a standardi