Summer Quest A Chicago Public Schools Success Story

1. Summer QuestA Chicago Public Schools Success Story College Access Affinity Group Conference Call May 22, 2013

2. Summer Quest History • In 2003, Arne Duncan, CEO, Chicago Public Schools (CPS), invested significant financial and human resources to create the Department of Postsecondary Education.

3. Department of Postsecondary Education at CPS • Greg Darneider, Director, Department of Postsecondary Education, developed an unprecedented district wide strategy for CPS high school students’ postsecondary success.

4. “Our work is framed by four essential principles – awareness, readiness, access and success –that guide students’ successful transitions to four-year universities, community colleges, technical programs or vocational school.” CPS Department of Post-Secondary Education Summer Quest played an integral part in overall CPS strategy CPS strategy for sponsored programs: Awareness Readiness Access Success

5. Summer Quest Mission Statement To prepare motivated Chicago Public Schools high school students to participate in unique summer learning opportunities by providing pre-college counseling and need-based financial support. Summer Quest challenges students to envision, explore, and experience college culture, requirements, and learning options with the goal of increasing enrollment in college and other post-secondary learning programs.

6. Summer Quest Core Program Elements • Pre-College Counseling • Pre-College Summer Learning Opportunities • External Resources and Relationships • Program Evaluation and Research

7. The Summer Quest student profile Students represented many Chicago communities ~75% qualified for reduced cost lunch Students came from a range of academic profiles ~70% of participants were female Participants came from a number of ethnic backgrounds Source: Summer Quest database, 2006

8. Results: students developed many important skills Q: What was the most significant part of your Summer Quest experience? • Increased desire to attend, better prepared, etc. • Better work ethic, gained specific skills, etc. • Higher self confidence, increased self awareness, etc.

9. Results: CPS pre-college pipeline programs consistently out performed the district in college enrollment numbers *Source: National Student Clearinghouse Data

10. Results: CPS pre-college pipeline programs consistently out performed the district in college enrollment numbers College enrollment for College Bridge and Summer Quest are significantly higher than the district: ~ 50-55 % higher college enrollment rates; ~ 40% higher 4 year college enrollment rate ; ~10% higher full time enrollment rate

11. Student Voices My Summer Quest Experience was Amazing! I met new friends, rock climbed and challenged myself everyday to try a little harder each day. If I had the chance to do it again I would do it in a heartbeat.

12. Student Voices • I took four courses during my stay • Biomechanics • Biochemistry • Vehicle Collision • Engineering for a sustainable society • I went to a couple • of field trips • General Motors • Salvage yard • 2 local hospitals • Base Camp • Cedar Point • Fluid Systems plant • Kettering University’s President’s home • We did a couple of special projects • Built a ramp at a sick woman’s home • Restaurant Class • Making a product eco-friendly Everything involved teamwork Every experience that I was in, taught me that teamwork and confidence is what you need to succeed. When I was in class, I met girls fully engaged in the subject. They contributed to the fullest, and I realized that those kind of people DO exist!

13. Questions

14. More Information Contact: Rhonda Bell Ari Bee Consulting Phone: 847.404.2211 Email: rhondabell@hotmail.com