"I support students in grades 9-12 with career development and college access activities by operating a College & Career Center in the library of an urban high school (1100 students) in Oregon. Students drop in on their own time and I visit classrooms with lessons on applying for scholarships, resear...
"
MORE
"I support students in grades 9-12 with career development and college access activities by operating a College & Career Center in the library of an urban high school (1100 students) in Oregon. Students drop in on their own time and I visit classrooms with lessons on applying for scholarships, researching colleges, etc.
About 20% of the students from my high school will attend a four year college. Another 15-18% will enroll in a community college. That means that more than half of my graduates leave without a plan for post-secondary education. I know that high skilled, high wage jobs require more than a high school education and I aim to inspire more and more of our graduates to develop and implement a plan to continue their education. Many students lack a belief in themselves and I have heard negative self-talk including "people like me" or "people from this school" don't go to college. This is unacceptable.
College entrance exams loom large in the high school student's mind as an insurmountable obstacle. "I heard they are, like, four hours long and really hard!" If you already don't believe in yourself or your abilities, why would you pay to take a test that will tell you how unprepared you are for college?
Test prep materials (vocabulary building novels, flash cards, strategy books, etc.) help hesitant test takers become confident and skilled. This project will add a library of ACT and SAT test prep materials to the College & Career Center. I will use the materials with small groups and make them available for check-out.
The doors to most four year colleges are still closed to the student without a decent college entrance exam score. Your support of this college-prep project will prepare many young people for the road to higher education. Having access to self-help test prep materials at school is critical to the journey ahead, especially to the many low-income students who do not have these resources at home. Thank you for considering this project.
My students need 19 pre-college test prep books to help them do their best on college entrance exams.
See Ms. K.'s class participating in this project!
(Enlarge photos)
Dec 5, 2009
Dear Cash4Books.net and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
The SAT and ACT test prep materials your generous donations provided are now being used daily in the College & Career Center at my urban high school. I am happy to see students learning how these important pre-college exams are structured and developing strategies to deal with complex, multiple choice questions. Familiarity with the instructions and the types of questions builds confidence and will save students time on the actual tests; they'll be able to focus on the questions instead of the directions.
Your financial support of this project is appreciated by the Class of 2010 and I know that younger students are going to utilize our new resources too! Your gift is making a difference. Thank you so much.
With gratitude, Ms. K.
Ms. K. sent this note after the project was fully funded:
Aug 5, 2009
Dear Cash4Books.net and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,
I was thrilled to learn of your recent gift to the College & Career Center at my large, urban high school. Our tiny library of outdated college entrance exam materials had outlived its usefulness. I can't wait to replace those 20th century texts filled with sample SAT or ACT tests from way back when with the exciting titles your donation will send us.
In recent years, about 22% of my seniors have attended a four
year college after graduation. I am committed to watching this number
grow and believe that hip, smart, and effective test prep will help increase access to college. Without a decent test score, my students (many
of whom do not enjoy an enriched home environment or privileges that
middle class youth may take for granted) cannot gain admission. Your
spontaneous gift is going to open doors for some very deserving young
people.
What nervous test taker wouldn't want to borrow a book with a reassuring title such as "Hack the SAT: Strategies and Sneaky Shortcuts That Can Raise Your Score
Hundreds of Points" or the cheerful "The Laugh Out Loud Guide: Ace the SAT Exam
Without Boring Yourself." I can't wait to sample some tracks from "Vocab Rock! Musical Preparation for the SAT and ACT" in English classes; the kids are going to love it! These engaging test prep materials and the other titles on my wish list will certainly inspire students in the Classes of 2010, 2011 and beyond. Thank you so much!
Reviewed the project essay and sent follow-up questions if needed.
Melissa F. (volunteer)
on May 31, 2009
Verified the cost of the requested books and posted this project.
John C. (associate)
on Jun 1, 2009
"Cash4Books.net is proud to be a continuous contributor to the many DonorsChoose.org projects that help students get the resources they need for their education. In doing so, we hope their lives are not only enriched by the knowledge acquired through books, but also that they develop a love for both reading and learning."
Cash4Books.net
from Beaverton, OR
gave
on Aug 4, 2009
"We provided DonorsChoose.org with matching funds for projects that improve college readiness. We believe that when all people in the United States have the opportunity to develop their talents, our society thrives."
gave
on Aug 4, 2009
Project fully funded!
Happy news
on Aug 4, 2009
"Thank you Get Cash For Books of Beaverton for the cash for our new books! Your gift will be celebrated at our Back-to-School faculty meeting and we shall salute the Gates Foundation for matching your donation as well."
Email
Facebook
Twitter
Melissa F. (volunteer)
on May 31, 2009
