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The only public university in the city, the University of Massachusetts Boston is nationally recognized for its community involvement as a model of excellence for urban universities. Since 1974, UMass Boston has worked in partnership with Dorchester High School (and since 2002, with the three academies that comprise the Dorchester Education Complex) to provide numerous resources to its students, faculty, and administrators. The mission of the partnership—to prepare all Dorchester students to successfully pursue post-secondary education--is carried out principally by two units at UMass Boston: the Graduate College of Education and the Pre-Collegiate Programs.

The Graduate College of Education
Mindful that efficacy of teachers is key to student achievement, UMB faculty members have provided professional development in an on-going response to need and requests by faculty and administrators at the Dorchester Education Complex (DEC). Yet the professional development, school-college partnership between the UMass Graduate College of Education and the Dorchester Education Complex is both reciprocal and mutually beneficial: it has simultaneously improved teaching and learning at the high school and provided a stronger urban focus in the University’s teacher education programs, particularly in Teach Next Year and College Awareness:

Teach Next Year (TNY) is an accelerated, school-based route to earning a master’s degree in education (M.Ed.) and Massachusetts initial teacher licensure. TNY addresses the highest priority request from the DEC faculty--to increase the number of teaching adults in the school. The year-long program features summer courses at the University, followed by integrated teaching and graduate study on site at DEC. Through Teach Next Year, DEC students receive the benefits of a substantial, consistently high functioning resident cohort of teacher interns, tutors, mentors, and regular interactions with University faculty and staff. Prerequisites of TNY are an excellent academic record in the subject of the license sought and demonstrated leadership experience with and commitment to educating diverse urban young people.

Enrollment in the Program carries a minimum three-year teaching obligation in the Boston Public Schools upon completion. Of the TNY’s thirty-four graduates, eighteen are currently BPS teachers, including eight at DEC. In addition to bringing their subject matter expertise, energy, and enthusiasm to their teaching for three periods per day throughout the year, TNY interns tutor and/or provide college/career awareness and guidance/mentoring one period a day; and perform legacy/community service projects with students once a week. They also have all of the responsibilities of DEC faculty except hall duty.

Teach Next Year accepts approximately ten interns a year. Persons of African American, Latino, Native American and Asian backgrounds, and those people with proficiency in a language other than English are particularly encouraged to apply. For more information about TNY and the process of applying, contact the Graduate School of Education at 617-287-7600 or visit the website at: http://www.gcoe.umb.edu/academic_programs/teachnext/index.htm.

Career Awareness Program (CAP) is a creative outgrowth of changes in state licensing requirements for school psychologists. Through CAP, UMass Boston graduate students preparing for school psychologist or school counseling licenses work for a semester with a group of five to ten DEC students, facilitating the college application process, including preparation for the SAT, financial aid applications, and college essays. CAP benefits DEC students by supplementing the work of their guidance counselors and providing them with individualized attention on future planning. Trained in counseling, the UMass students are adept at listening to each student and tailoring college and career preparation to personal goals. At the same time, the program benefits the UMass students by allowing them to obtain hands-on experience and training in a school setting and to fulfill practicum requirements. For more information about CAP and the process of applying, contact the Graduate School of Education at 617-287-7600.


Pre-Collegiate Programs
Over the past 40 years, UMass Boston has built a network of support programs that serve DEC and are designed to provide students with the skills and the motivation needed to enter and successfully complete post-secondary education. In addition to providing direct services to DEC students, UMass Boston pre-collegiate programs have also been integrally involved in providing services to teachers, counselors, and administrators aimed at building their capacity to develop the full potential of all students. Six of the University’s pre-collegiate programs partner with DEC:

Upward Bound: UMass Boston’s relationship with DEC goes as far back as 1965, when the University first received an Upward Bound grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Dorchester High School was one of the Program’s primary target schools. Today, Upward Bound continues to work with low-income, first-generation-college-bound students from the three academies at DEC and also with students at the South Boston Education Complex, the Jeremiah E. Burke High School, West Roxbury High School, and Madison Park High School and/or students residing in Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, South Boston, or Jamaica Plain. During the school year, the program provides after-school classes in reading, writing, mathematics, and test preparation. During the summer, students live on a residential campus for six weeks, taking courses in composition and literature, mathematics, laboratory science, foreign language, information literacy, public speaking, and learning skills. Upper-level students have the opportunity to take UMass Boston courses and participate in internships. The program also provides tutoring and supervised study; individualized college and career awareness and advising; personal and academic counseling; and enrichment activities. Students receive a stipend for their participation. For an application to the program or for more information, contact the Upward Bound office at 617-287-5845.

For over 20 years, Urban Scholars has worked with high-achieving middle and high school students. Through an after-school and a seven-week summer program, Urban Scholars provides students with the skills and motivation necessary for achievement at the limits of their potential. The high school component provides after-school classes in reading, writing, critical thinking, and test preparation as well as summer courses in reading and writing, math problem solving, laboratory science, and foreign language. Upper-level students also take UMB courses. The middle school component seeks to peak students’ interest and improve their skills in math and science. During the summer, reading and writing are added to the middle school curriculum. The program also provides tutoring and supervised study; individualized college and career awareness and advising; personal and academic counseling; and enrichment activities. High school recruitment is aimed at ninth and tenth graders. To get involved, students are first nominated by teachers or guidance counselors and then asked to complete a program application. Students receive a stipend for their participation. For more information about the program and the application process, contact Urban Scholars at 617-287-5830.

The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP) is a federally funded educational program serving 50 middle and high school students from the Boston Public Schools. UMass Boston collaborates with Tufts University, Tufts University School of Medicine, and the Massachusetts Public Health Association to create a pipeline that starts at Boston middle and high schools, continues through the undergraduate programs at Tufts University, and culminates in the public-health and medical programs at Tufts University School of Medicine. HCOP students participate in various awareness activities to gain greater exposure to the many health professions available and to develop a better understanding of the skills required to pursue the careers of their choice. Awareness activities include a seven-week Summer Institute in which students take academic and awareness courses and an after-school component that includes health career awareness and exploration; mentoring; academic, college, and financial advising; tutoring; and supervised study. Students receive a stipend for their participation in the summer program. To receive an application or to get more information, contact HCOP at 617-287-5834.

Project REACH was started at UMass Boston in 1985 through a U.S. Department of Education TRiO grant. The program was the first in the nation to address the post-secondary, career, and personal development needs of middle and high school students who receive special-education services. The program offers a wide range of individual and small group activities within the school classroom or school site office. The program also offers activities at the UMass Boston offices of the program. Students benefit by working closely with the program staff, who are knowledgeable in the areas of the post-secondary admission process for special education students and who can assist students with the establishment of life and career goals. To learn more about Project REACH or to request an application, contact the program at 617-287-7390.

Initiated in 1989 by the University of Massachusetts Boston, the Admission Guaranteed Program (AGP) guarantees admission to the University for students enrolled at the Dorchester Education Complex, Jeremiah E. Burke High School, and the South Boston Education Complex. Recruitment for the program is focused primarily on ninth graders. Through AGP, students who take courses in the required subject areas and meet specific program criteria are assured of admission to the University. AGP strives: Program services include in-school tutoring, after-school tutoring at the AGP office at UMass Boston, and college and financial aid counseling. For more information or to receive an application, students can contact the graduate assistant at the AGP office in their school or the AGP office at UMass at 617-287-5868.

The newest of the University’s pre-collegiate programs, GEAR UP is part of a nationwide initiative of the Clinton Administration. GEAR UP focuses on college and career awareness and early preparation for higher education. Aimed at increasing the number of students who go to college, the program provides school-based tutoring, academic advising, career and college advising, and enrichment activities. The GEAR UP work is integrated with the work of AGP, and both programs work closely with Upward Bound, Urban Scholars, and Project REACH. For more information about GEAR UP, call 617-287-5843.

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