PHASE II (2008-10)

Overview

Phase 1 of the English and Science college readiness project describes what is needed to fill the gap between high school and college-level learning requirements. Phase 2 will describe how to fill the gap through use of classroom-tested exemplar teaching materials and practices, and identification of professional development training needs. Phase 2 of the project was an "input" phase in which cross-sector pilot teams, composed of high school and college teachers, construct learning experience that infuse college readiness definitions into K-12 curricula.

In 2008, English teachers piloted college readiness teaching strategies in 11th and 12th grade classrooms in Spokane and Yakima. Science teams piloted college readiness teaching strategies in 9th and 10th grade classrooms in Eatonville and Mount Vernon.

In July 2009, Western Washington University and Mount Vernon High School received a U.S. Department of Education Title II grant to continue working on the science college readiness definitions. Dr. Pinky Nelson leads the Title II project; he and his team will stay connected to the College Readiness Project via updates and shared meetings/institutes. Eatonville High School is partnering with Dr. Jen Sorensen at Seattle University to move that science pilot project toward goals. Dr. Bill Condon, WSU, is continuing to work with the two English pilot teams (Eisenhower High School in Yakima and North Central High School in Spokane).