College Prep / Success
The College Prep/Success materials offer comprehensive resources to assist students in preparing for success in their college endeavors. Our program provides tailored instruction and practice materials, both in print and electronic-based formats, to equip students with the necessary skills and strategies for college readiness. By utilizing data-driven insights, we develop targeted lesson plans that focus on key areas such as academic skills, study strategies, and college admissions processes, aiming to enhance students’ chances of success in higher education.
To speak with a consortium expert about special pricing, district rate or organizing a custom program, call us at (847) 299 2930 ext. 367 or click here
Organized into four chapters, the College, Here I Come material has been developed by working with high school, college, and university experts. The program simplifies the college process by breaking it down into step-by-step instructions. Activities are designed to introduce your students to the college application process and college life. Below is a brief description of each chapter:
- Why Go to College
What are the advantages of a college degree? Are there reasons not to go to college? How do students handle obstacles in their way to achieving a degree? - Ace the College Application
This section will guide students through their college preparation journey as they identify the schools to which they will send applications, take the college entrance exams, and write winning essays. - Thrive in College
In order to do their best in class, students need to find balance and develop good study habits. This section presents tips and exercises to hone time management and studying skills. In addition, going to college is a transition to adulthood, so this section includes a chapter on money management. - Civic Responsibility 101
The final section of the course will give students a taste of a college lecture. This section covers the foundations of government and our right to free speech. Teachers can lecture and encourage class discussion to give students a taste of the college experience.
The College, Here I Come program is also available as an online course. Built on the Moodle platform, students will navigate each of the chapters working through activities and lessons. Teachers have the benefit of monitoring student progress as well as time spent in each section and activity.
The College Here I Am course takes a common-sense approach to teaching the skill and behaviors needed to make the college experience less stressful and more productive. The program provides instructional and practical exercises to target specific areas that are key to college success, both in and out of the classroom. Organized into four chapters, the College, Here I Am online material has been developed by working with high school, college, and university experts. Below is a brief description of each chapter:
- Why Go to College
This section focuses on embracing the vision of going to college such as future career planning, overcoming obstacles, networking strategies, building one’s resume and gaining experience. - Path to Graduation
This section focuses on the demands of the college classroom, placement tests, principles of college writing, communication with professors, success in the classroom. - Thrive in College
In order to thrive in college, students not only need to well in their courses, but they need to master new responsibilities. This section presents tips and exercises regarding paying for classes, budgeting, time management, and building healthy relationships. - Civic Responsibility 101
The final section of the course will give students a taste of a college seminar and help them think through the importance of government.
The College, Here I Am program is also available as an online course. Built on the Moodle platform, students will navigate each of the chapters working through activities and lessons. Teachers have the benefit of monitoring student progress as well as time spent in each section and activity.
Teacher Professional Development
Cambridge’s Test DeMystifier Professional Development gives teachers a thorough understanding TSI, ACT or PSAT/SAT test (additional Test DeMystifiers are also available). Teachers learn about test mechanics including the test structure and format; timing of each subject test – Reading, Writing and Language, English, Math, and Science; tested content and skills within each subject and in what proportion; and analysis of the new Essay, including the passage, prompt, and expectations. With practice problems in Reading, Writing and Language, English, Math, and Science teachers learn high-value test-taking strategies for items most frequently encountered on the test; how different forms of “data” are integrated throughout the tests; how to address student-produced response questions, and about evidence-based questions. Teachers also gain insight into the scoring of the tests and the aligned scale scores for any suite of exams (PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, and SAT).
Cambridge’s Introduction to Testing Readiness provides teachers with a thorough understanding of how to effectively prepare students using any one of Cambridge’s test preparation materials including Victory for the PSAT, SAT or ACT Test, Essential Skills, AccelePrep for the ACT or SAT, TSIA2, or Non-Negotiable Skills texts. Led by a Cambridge Master teacher and customized for your implementation model your teachers will analyze the Cambridge Course Concept Outline, understand the instructional layout and progression of the Cambridge materials, consider different course structures and timings, learn how to target instruction based on ability levels while incorporating building basic skills into your program, review applicable Item Indexes and Crosswalks to Standards, explore the mechanics of the applicable test in terms of test structure, timing, content, frequency and skills for each section of the test (e.g. Writing, Language, Reading, Math, and Science), learn best practices for implementing and differentiating instruction, and gain insight into question types, concepts tested, common distractors, and assigning homework. This professional development assumes use of Cambridge materials for a skill building or test preparation program.
Teachers will take a dive into their own students’ data to understand how to effectively use the Cambridge data reports (reports may include Student Summary and Item Analysis, Instructor Summary, Error Analysis, Content Distribution, Formative Connection, Lesson Plans, and others) to more effectively address skill gaps and target instruction. Topics include the pre-assessment process and the importance of timely and accurate feedback, linking assessment items to instructional objectives and differentiating among learners to drive score increases across the spectrum of achievement. Teachers will also learn powerful ACT and SAT test-taking strategies to incorporate in the classroom.
Student and Family Workshops
The ScoreCelerator Workshop for the ACT, SAT, or TSIA2 tests offer an intensive review of solid test taking techniques, high-value targets that offer the best return on preparation time, and powerful test-taking strategies. Students will learn how to avoid common errors and use the test structure to maximum advantage. Topics include:
- The mechanics of the test:
- How the test is written and scored
- How just a few more correct questions can dramatically increase scores – every problem matters,
- Common distractors
- A systematic analysis of each section of the test:
- Mapping of item types
- Timing and pacing of the test
- Proportion of problems
- The need to be a wise test-taker:
- In-depth strategies
- How to get the best return on preparation and practice
- Workshop practice problems are used illustrate test mechanics and strategies
The Student Motivation Workshop encourages students to set high expectations for educational and personal goals, and to start planning for the future now. Emphasizing the importance of good test scores and conscientious preparation to build a competitive application, students learn the impact education has on career choices and earnings, today’s top jobs and in-demand college degrees, how to maximize opportunities for admission and financial aid, and the importance of solid practice and preparation for the challenges of the ACT® or SAT® test.
The College Is for Me/Family Admissions Workshop (usually presented in the evenings) helps students and parents focus on practical tactics for gaining admission to college. Participants learn the most effective steps families must take in the college transition process. The workshop includes topics such as the correlation between high test scores, GPA and earnings; designing and crafting a winning application; strategies for choosing schools; tips on securing financial aid; the roles of parents; an overview of the design and mechanics of the ACT® or SAT®; and a demonstration of problem-solving strategies.
