- To increase the high school graduation rates in Stark County.
To increase the college going rate in Stark County.
To assist first generation, low income students and their families with school selection, scholarships, financial aid through a collaboration with guidance counselors working in schools with students and families.
To encourage students to prepare for and take the ACT.
To help all Stark County students with college funding through the formation of a Council of Scholarship, Internship and Coop providers funded in part by a grant from Ohio Can! Go to College. The Council will work in 2008 though 2010 to determine the financial need and development of a message to raise funds for scholarship, internship and co-op experiences at Stark County colleges.
To encourage all Stark County students to gain college credit while in high school by supporting districts in optimizing opportunities through: “Seniors to Sophomores,” Dual Credit, Early College High School, Advanced Placement, Post Secondary Education Option and/or Tech Prep.
To eliminate math remediation for Stark County students entering college through a collaborative effort of Kent State Stark Campus, Stark State College of Technology, the Stark County Education Service Center and 14 Stark County school districts. This effort is funded by a grant from OCAN and matching funds from the Stark Education Partnership.
To increase the number of teachers teaching Dual Credit in high schools as qualified college adjunct professors through a grant from TG.
- To increase college going through placement of a College Connector at Timken High School through a grant from United Way of Greater Stark County and placement of Americorps Ohio College Guides (3) in Canton, Massillon and Alliance High Schools.
- To increase community awareness of the importance of education beyond high school and the link between the economy and education through development of www.buildingstarkbydegrees.org a collaboration with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Staff
Dr. Adrienne O’Neill, Dr. Joseph Rochford, Adele Gelb, and Kim Ross, from the Stark Education Partnership, serve as staff support for our OCAN efforts and the Stark County P-16 Compact.
Timeline of Program Implementation
2002 through 2008 College Access advisors in four high schools
2006 through 2008 College bridge advisor on campus at Kent State Stark to support Canton South student transitions to the college culture.
2006 through 2008 College Retention Planning Grant – College Success Advisory Team
2008 through 2010 College Retention Implementation Grant – Eliminating Math Remediation
2008 through 2010 Council of Scholarship, Internship and Co-op Providers
2009 Dominion Awards SEP Community Impact Award for Council of Scholarship, Internship and Co-op Providers
2009 SEP’s 20th Anniversary Celebration and publication of “Significant Change.”
2009 through 2011 College Connector at Timken High School funded by United Way of Greater Stark County
2009 through 2010 Three districts utilize Explore testing to prompt college discussion and planning for students, families and faculty funded by Invest in Success Grant.
2010 P-16 collaboration strengthened through grant from Lumina Network Expansion Grant.
2010 College Board awards SEP College Keys Compact Regional Innovation Award for “Advancing College Opportunity.”
2010 Dominion awards SEP Community Impact Award for “Advancing College Opportunity through High School Based Dual Credit Courses.”
2010 Americorps Ohio College Guides at Alliance, Canton McKinley and Massillon/Washington High Schools through grants from Great Lakes and Americorps.