Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Kansas City, Missouri School District Loses Their Accrediation: What Does It Mean?



Lately in the news, we've heard plenty about how the Kansas City, Missouri School District lost their accreditation. For many of us, we don't know what that means or how it impacts us or our schools. Below is a brief description of what's happening and who is affects:

  • The State Board of Education voted unanimously on Tuesday (9/20/11) to strip the district of its accreditation on January 1.
  • Kansas City hit only 3 of the 14 marks required by the state to achieve accreditation. Only one other school system in Missouri had equally poor marks.
  • The district now has two years to improve its academics. If there is not enough progress to satisfy the state, the law provides the state can move in and take control. That happened several years ago in St. Louis. That district remains under state control.
  • The Missouri State School Board also placed the accreditation ranking for the Hickman Mills School District on hold for another year during Tuesday's meetings.
  • The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will work with the district to re-evaluate and intensify an ongoing joint turnaround plan and report new plans to the state school board in December.
  • Starting Jan. 1, state law enables families in unaccredited school districts to seek enrollment in other districts, with the unaccredited district bearing the cost. That law currently is tied up in a court case out of the St. Louis area but could have a significant impact on Kansas City and its neighboring districts.
For more information about KSMSD losing their accreditation, view the video.
 

Washburn University Campus Visit



On Friday, September 23rd, Upward Bound - Avila University will be taking a campus visit to Washburn University in Topeka, KS. It is the first time that UB - Avila will be taking a visit there, so below is some information about Washburn University.

Washburn University is a co-educational, public institution of higher learning in Topeka, Kansas. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as professional programs in law and business. Washburn has 550 faculty members, who teach 6,300 undergraduate students and 1,000 graduate students, and the university's assets include a $112 million endowment.

WU provides broadly-based liberal arts and professional education through more than 200 certificate, associate, baccalaureate, master’s and juris doctor programs through the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Law, Business, Nursing and Applied Studies. The university is home to several honor and recognition societies. The most prestigious societies are the Sagamore Society for men and NONOSO for women.

Washburn University is consistently ranked among Midwestern universities as an independent public institution, rated 7th in the Midwest among public Master's level universities in 2010 by U.S. News and World Report. The University's endowment of $100M+ ranks it near the top among Master's degree institutions in endowment per student.

Washburn University men's athletic teams are known as the Ichabods (named for Ichabod Washburn) and the women's teams are called the Lady Blues. Washburn is a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Health Issues, Conflicts in Libya and Yemen, and U.S. Hispanic Voters

Lately in the news, we've heard plenty about President Obama speaking on health issues, conflicts in Libya and Yemen, and how the upcoming elections can be heavily influenced by U.S. Hispanic voters. CNN Student News takes a look at how they all impact our lives nationally and globally.

Week 3 Announcements

Avila University Upward Bound
Announcements for EVERYONE
Week 3
 Week of September 19, 2011
Important Upcoming Upward Bound Information and Events

Washburn University Campus Visit

On Friday, September 23rd, we'll be taking a visit to Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. Students that are signed up to attend need to be at Hodes Center between 8:30 A.M.-8:45 A.M.. Rides need to be arranged for pick up at 3:00 P.M. For more information about Washburn, check out their website here    
Tutoring
Students who attend Grandview or Ruskin High School will be required to attend 6 hours of tutoring a month. Students on probation are required to attend 10 hours of tutoring a month. Student can choose tutoring sessions to attend and the amount of time spent at a tutoring session. Time will be recorded in 15 minute increments. Students will earn $10 of monthly stipend for attending the required number of tutoring hours per month.           
Comfit Online Tutoring Center
In an effort to improve math and language arts skills, students will be required to complete Comfit assignments each month.  Students can login in and complete assignments at http://www.comfit.com/. First time users will need to register in our group (Avila University Upward Bound) and create a user name and password.  Our group number is 750847.
October through May, students at Grandview and Ruskin will be required to complete 2 mini lessons (6 total) with a score of 80% or better in each area (Math, Language Arts and Reading/Vocabulary) per month to receive $5 of monthly stipend.  Students at non-target schools will be required to complete 6 mini lessons in each area (18 total) per month to receive $15 of monthly stipend.       
Wednesday Study Sessions
If you cannot attend tutoring Tuesday or Thursday at either school and you want to get tutoring hours in, Wednesday Study Sessions can be an option. With at least 24 hours notice, we can get you a tutor with almost any subject. Wednesday Study Sessions are held at Avila University.
For additional information or to schedule extra tutoring, please contact the office at 816.501.2438.
Social Media
In an effort to reach students and parents, we’ve recently added different forms of media to gain more access. They’re updated regularly with information. Below are various ways to stay in contact with Upward Bound – Avila University: