Focus on Going to College
Summer 2011 Vol. 18 No. 6
Sayre High School Principal Kahlila Ames talks with college-bound seniors. Sayre’s four-year graduation rate is only 54 percent, but Ames says, “If you show them what they need to do, as opposed to just giving them a grade or credit, they will rise to the occasion.”
Building on dreams of college
by Dale Mezzacappa
In many ways, Philadelphia would seem to be the ideal place for students who want to go to college.
The city does not lack for programs and organizations dedicated toward helping young people reach this goal. Its mayor, Michael Nutter, has put renewed focus on the issue, setting goals to halve the high school dropout rate and double the percentage of adults who attain four-year college degrees. The region has one of the highest concentrations of colleges and universities in the nation.
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The view from Sayre: Making them believe
by Bill Hangley, Jr.
As a high school principal working to get Philadelphia students into college, Kahlila Ames says her challenge is fundamental: "When you've got a population that may not be believers, how do you make them believe?"
Ames' students face major obstacles. They need good grades. They need money. They must navigate a long, confusing admissions process. They must manage countless family obligations and social distractions.
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Most Philadelphia grads don't go straight to college
by Paul Socolar
The first big hurdle in getting more Philadelphians on track to post-secondary academic success is to ensure that fewer students drop out before finishing high school. In recent years, the graduation rate has finally climbed above 60 percent in Philadelphia public schools.
But a bigger dropoff comes at the next step in the process.
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Table of Contents
Theme articles
- Building on dreams of college by Dale Mezzacappa
- I want to go to college. What should I do?
- Most Philadelphia grads don't go straight to college by Paul Socolar
- Ready for college? by Wendy Harris
- Getting systems in place for college access and success by Dale Mezzacappa
- For the college-bound, staying local has mass appeal by Daniel Denvir
- The view from Sayre: Making them believe by Bill Hangley, Jr.
- Enrollment in college from Philadelphia high schools
- Web Exclusive District programs for college readiness by Wendy Harris
- Web Exclusive Going from GED to College by Celeste Lavin
- Quicktakes: What happens when you leave college without a degree, but with student debt? Interviews and photos by Benjamin Herold
- About this edition
Other news & features
- Fight is on to restore budget cuts, but they may get worse by Paul Socolar
- District takes first steps toward facilities overhaul by Benjamin Herold
- In wake of a 'shocking' meeting, King will not become a charter by Dale Mezzacappa
- Is it time for the SRC to go? by Ron Whitehorne
Member profile
- Profile of teacher Tricia Fussaro, Notebook member by Michele Aweeky
Notebook news
- Notebook's new development staffer will focus on membership
Cartoon
- Summer edition cartoon by Eric Joselyn
In our opinion
- College: We must do better
- Staving off disaster
From our readers
- A parent's unanswered questions
- Paid sick days: Common sense
Eye on special education
- College-going students with disabilities must know their rights before they enroll by Rocco Iacullo
School snapshot
- Comcast Cares Day
Activism around the city
- Parents travel to Baltimore to see immigrant-friendly school by Raquel Ronzone
- Students promote platform for better career/technical ed by Raquel Ronzone
- Teacher Action Group curriculum fair
News in brief
- PA legislature still divided on voucher bill, tax credits by Paul Jablow
- City official: Armed police in schools are 'a last resort' by Celeste Lavin
- District continues to defend charter enrollment caps in court by Celeste Lavin
Sports stories
- Setting new goals by Benjamin Herold
En español
- ¿Estás listo para la universidad? por Wendy Harris
- Ten cuidado con las ofertas de universidad engañosas por Celeste Lavin
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