NEW HAMPSHIRE
SCHOLARS
College Ready,
Work Ready,
Ready for Life.
NHCUC Collaborative Projects
• VisitNHcolleges.org
• Admission Committee
• Counselor Tours
• College mini-fairs
• College Access Conventions
Preparing for the Future
…in middle school
Students who take challenging courses
and meet high standards in middle school
are much more likely to enter high school
ready to succeed. Algebra I is recognized as
the “gateway course” – students who take it by
the end of 8th grade are much more likely to
take rigorous courses in high school that lead to
a college degree.
Source: Achieve, American Diploma Project
Preparing for the Future
…in high school
Research has shown that a powerful
predictor of whether high school
students will graduate and earn a
college degree is the rigor of the
high school curriculum they complete.
Source: Achieve, American Diploma Project
What is NH Scholars?
Challenging Students
• Nationally funded program using business leaders to
motivate students, beginning in 8th grade, to complete a
rigorous course of study in high school
• Helps students attain skills they need in work & life
Relevance
Rigor
Relationships
Over 70% of recent high
school grads wish they had
taken more rigorous
courses in high school.
Source: Achieve 2005
Objective
To challenge students
To encourage ALL high school
students to complete a
defined, rigorous academic course of study
that prepares them for a successful transition to
college or university coursework
or vocational/technical training
necessary to enter
today’s competitive job market
The Four Key Stakeholders
K-12
Business
• Reevaluate
curriculum
• Reinforce
21st century
needs
• Align with
Higher Ed
and
business
expectations
• Mentor
students
• Increase
expectations
• Strengthen
school
partnerships
• Challenge
students
• Share
expertise
and time
Higher Ed
•
•
Commune
admission
requirements
Partner with
K-12 to
reduce
remediation
•
Acknowledge
and reward
•
Less
confusion
with ACG
•
Prepare the
unprepared
Public
Policy
•
Advocate
for
rigorous
standards
•
Potential
funding
source
•
Visible and
vocal
leaders
Encourages students to go above and beyond
high school graduation requirements
4-Year College
Workforce
Community
College
New Hampshire Scholars Core Course of Study
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
12th Grade
English I
English II
English III
English IV
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Upper Level Math
Physical Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
World History
U.S. History
U.S. Govt.
Economics
2 years of the same Foreign Language
Who can be a NH Scholar?
Program targets all students
• Generally, 25% of students already motivated
• Middle 50% heaviest focus; greatest opportunity
• Lower 25% involves unique challenges
What does a NH Scholar receive?
•
•
•
•
Gold medallion at graduation
NH Scholars foil seal on diploma
Electronic indication on transcript
Increased academic and financial rewards
New Hampshire’s Momentum
Our Accomplishments
The immediate impact is seen in course enrollments.
Example: Winnisquam Regional High School
•
Doubled enrollment in chemistry
•
Tripled enrollment in college prep physics
•
Increased enrollment in foreign language by 25%
87% of NH Scholars’ graduates enroll in college immediately
Compared to the state average of 59%
NH Scholar Graduates Thru the Years
2007 – 72
2008 – 143
2009 – 443
2010 – 1,377
2011 – 2,006
2012 – 3,065
2013 – 4,001
2014 – 4,600
Active NH Scholars Districts
As of July 1, 2014
Seventy-three high schools actively
participate in NH Scholars.
__________ High School
is one of those 73 high schools
Why Physics?
• Strong correlation among students completing 3
years in core lab sciences with baccalaureate
attainment
• Students taking physics have higher science
proficiency than those only taking bio and chem
• Only 35% of HS graduates enroll in physics
• 70% of employers said applicants were “deficient”
in critical thinking and problem solving
Physics develops these skills
and habits of mind
Why Foreign Languages?
• Higher Academic Performance
– Higher ACT scores (reading and math)
– Higher verbal SAT scores; more years = higher scores
– Correlation of higher performance in college
• U.S. Economic Competitiveness
– One in five U.S. jobs tied to international trade and
overseas markets
– U.S. companies say international sales is growing more
rapidly than domestic and this trend will increase
• U.S. National Security
– U.S. Dept of State & Defense urge proficiency
– SMART Grants reward students who major in Foreign
Language
New Hampshire Scholars
Key Components
“8th grade
presentation” delivered by
business reps
Incentives to stay
on track
Senior
recognition
event(s)
GRADES
8
9 10 11
12
Show Students the Money
to help pay for college
New Hampshire colleges and universities are supporting the
initiative by representing the program at high school award
nights, offering free course vouchers, providing application fee
waivers, offering merit awards and serving on local school
advisory committees for NH Scholars high schools.
New England College
offers a $12,000 renewable merit award for accepted NH Scholars
UNH-Manchester
offers a $1,000 renewable merit award for accepted NH Scholars
Each community college campus
offers twelve (12) $500 merit awards to accepted NH Scholars
Business Partnerships
Critical Component
• Leaders in the business
community deliver the
message directly to
students about the
importance of high school
coursework and its impact
on their future success.
• Business leaders provide
workshops, activities and
mentoring opportunities
• Students learn the 21st
century skills that today’s
employers require
Business “Champions” help
students understand that
the choices they make
today have a direct impact
on their career and
business success tomorrow.
When business &
community
leaders talk…
students listen!
Ways Businesses Get Can Involved
Become a Champion Today!
 Member of local partnership advisory team
 8th Grade kick-off presentation speaker
 Guest speaker for classroom activities in grades 9-12
 Reinforcing the importance of high school
 Inspiring students to challenge themselves
 What are today’s employers looking for
 Host of company / job site tours
 Provider of internship or job shadow opportunities
 Sponsoring a luncheon or activity for NH Scholars
www.nhscholars.org/NHScholarsChampions.cfm
Commitment
Implementation
Seamless Integration
• Assign school coordinator
• Ensure core courses are offered
• Strengthen/develop business partnerships
• Provide yearly kick-off presentations to 8th graders
• Provide ongoing outreach for grades 9-12
• Recognize seniors at graduation events
School counselors will work with students to
develop a 4-year educational plan designed at
providing incentives and motivation to students
f
Expectations
Goals and Objectives
To better prepare students for college & career
• Increase number of students taking rigorous courses
• Begin trend of students taking core courses earlier
• Prepare high school students for standardized tests,
including NECAP, PSAT, SAT and ACT
• Increase postsecondary attendance rates
• Provide additional financial aid resources
• Decrease the need for college remediation courses
f
Increase public perception while
marketing/promoting the school’s
success and advancement
Questions?
Scott Power, Director
New Hampshire Scholars Initiative
603.225.4199 x300
spower@nhcuc.org
www.NHscholars.org