Developing a STEM-Oriented
High School via a SchoolUniversity Partnership
NSF STEM Success Conference
April 10, 2012
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Goals for Session
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To introduce UIC College Prep
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Brief history
General information
Health Sciences curriculum
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To describe the school-university
partnership UIC College Prep and UIC
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To have an open discussion with session
participants about related issues
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A Brief History
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Opened in 2008, after an extended planning period.
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Convergence of interests between UIC and the Noble
Network of Charter Schools.
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Governed by a Memorandum of Understanding that
specifically defines roles of each partners.
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Focus on the health sciences aligns with one of
UIC’s strengths.
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Multi-faceted partnership, with UICCP needs and
interests in “first position.”
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Selected UIC Contributions
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Co-Development of health sciences curriculum;
support for implementation.
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Well-prepared students enrolling in university
courses and receive university credit.
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College application support.
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101 students selected at UIC for Fall 2012, including
36 with special scholarships.
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In-school health center staffed by UIC personnel.
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Special programs, as requested by school
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UICCP General Information
Noble Street Charter Schools
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10 high school campuses
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No Tuition
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Open enrollment and non-selective
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High quality education
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Scholarship
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Rigorous courses
• 3 hours of homework a night
• Reading 2 extra hours/week
• Double Math, Double Science, Double
Reading (Literature & Social Studies), Four
Years of Music and PE
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Discipline
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Culture First
• No Excuses
• Self-Discipline
• Professionalism
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Honor
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Know yourself
• Know your community
• Know your nation
• Know your world
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Demographics
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Retention Rate: 94.5%
54% Female, 46% Male
3.5% Asian
23.8% African American
3.4% Caucasian
66.9% Hispanic
2.3% Mixed
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Our Results: Breaking the
21 Threshold
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College Acceptances
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100% of senior class accepted to a 4-year
university
• 66% accepted to UIC
• 26% of senior class accepted to a highly
selective university (Wesleyan,
Northwestern, Notre Dame, Cornell,
Syracuse, Oberlin)
• 20% accepted to U of I Champaign
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Health Sciences Curriculum
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History
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Match with yearly themes (self, community,
nation, world)
Profession: Exposure to 7 UIC Health Science
College Professions
Skill: Grounded in Problem Based Learning &
Science College Readiness Standards (scientific
inquiry, data analysis)
Content: Build knowledge of health related
content
More information about UICCP Health Sciences Program
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Health Sciences Partnership
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Seven UIC colleges are actively engaged in the
health sciences curriculum
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Faculty, students and community partners have
been involved in a full range of activities
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Benefit to the colleges
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Challenges
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Challenges/Moving Forward
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Challenges from school side.
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Challenges from UIC side.
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Some “false starts.”
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An evolving partnership.
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Questions/Discussion
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Comments or questions?
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Contact Information
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Audrey Borling
aborling@uiccollegeprep.org
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Kate Meixner
kmeixner@uiccollegeprep.org
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Babette Neuberger
bjn@uic.edu
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James Lynn
jlynn@uic.edu
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Martin Gartzman
mgartzman@uchicago.edu
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