As part of the Partnership for College Success initiative, Caribou High School teachers are engaged in academic dialogue with their University of Maine at Presque Isle counterparts, focusing on identifying the skills and content that will result in a more seamless transition for high school students preparing to enter the university. Currently, three academic focus groups have been formed: English, math and science.

The English faculties have been involved in monthly sessions since October when five instructors attended the first annual High School Writing Conference at the University of Maine-Augusta. A major portion of the day long conference, attended by over 150 university and high school English teachers, examined college readiness for writing through a close analysis of sample high school and college writing prompts.

CHS and UMPI instructors have worked together during the past year on collaborative scoring of the UMPI writing placement test administered to CHS juniors and seniors. Presently, representatives of both faculties are establishing criteria for writing prompts that will share an emphasis on analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. Implications for reading must also be considered. A recently published report commissioned by the University of Maine System and representing the thinking of Maine college, university and high school teachers, stated, "In high school English, students read novels, stories, plays and poems. In college writing, students read analytical essays, academic papers, literary essays, and journalism. To succeed in the first year, students must write beyond their own experience."

Math and science faculty reps from both schools have also begun to examine apparent curricula disconnects. Recent math data will enable both schools to review the high school math performance of those students presently enrolled in entry level UMPI math courses, study college math placement test results, and compare those results to performance in entry level classes. Faculties will examine the skills scope and sequence that will enhance transition and college retention.

Both faculties recognize that too many high school seniors avoid a fourth year math which puts them at a disadvantage when taking college placement tests. Students who do not meet placement cutoff scores are required to take at least one remedial math class. National data suggests that enrollment in remedial classes is a negative factor in retention and graduation. A recent publication from the UMM Chancellor's Office stated, "the six-year graduation rate for students who take no remedial courses is 56%; for one remedial course it is 34%; for three or more remedial courses it is 18%." Students are being encouraged to "beef up" senior year course selections, a decision that could dramatically improve their chances for college success.

CHS juniors and seniors recently took one step toward achieving this success by enrolling in a first year UMPI Early College Basic Statistics class. UMPI is also delivering a College Composition class at CHS and Psychology at Presque Isle High School. Early college courses are also being planned for the next academic year.

Five members of the UMPI science department were joined by two CHS science teachers at a recent breakfast meeting held at Kelley Commons. The meeting focused on an analysis of student science course performance data of CHS grads presently enrolled at the university and a review of the current UMPI science placement test. Follow-up meetings will continue to examine the scope and sequence of skills and content necessary to help students experience college success.

"Establishing and sustaining dialogue and collaboration between public school and university instructors is probably the foundation piece of the Partnership for College Success initiative," said Mike McCormack, PCS project coordinator. "They represent two very different cultures and we cannot really address student college access and successes until these institutions work together in the critical areas of curriculum, instruction and assessment."