$3ortlanh (Observer
Page 6
November 17, 2010
Education ^Careers
•4»
1
«WBICeHíWMBÍfies
••An Interdenominational Church"
Cascade
Connections
by A lgie
C. G atewood
Partnership
w ith Jefferson
Career & Technical Education certifi­
open. Its rela-
cate, for those interested in moving
From the time it was established tionship with
into the workplace after one or two
in 1908, Jefferson High School has CascadeCam-
years of technical training. Ambi­
been an integral part of its north pus will broaden and deepen in the tious, well-prepared students willing
Portland neighborhood. As the coming years, but the two institu- to prioritize college-level coursework
Jefferson community has changed tions will remain distinct from one may be able to earn up to an
over the years - from the postwar another.
Associate’s degree by the time they
era, when many African Americans
In October, the Portland Public graduate from high school.
settled in the area, on through its Schools board approved a series of
Regardless of his or her choice of
present-day multiethnic incarnation resolutions designating Jefferson educational pathway, every Middle
- the school has remained at the as a pre-college focus high school College students will receive the same
center of the neighborhood’s iden- with a robust Middle College pro- array of wraparound services that
fastv* Sfofiop SH. A ££erZ £ady Panlean & Siodye
tity and character.
gram. Students living in the Jefferson have helped make the program such
Paalun / STeacfai f fteuwaliat
In recent years, as attendance neighborhood will make an affirma- a success: individual advising and
has declined, various reorganiza- tive choice, after eighth grade, ei- counseling support, academic sup­
Sundays: Worship Service — 12:00-2:00 P.M.
tions have been attempted and prin- ther to enter one of three compre- port in the form of tutoring and group
Bible Study— Wednesdays— 6:00— 8:30P.M.
cipals have come and gone, many in hensive high schools, based on study sessions, help with navigating
J3/J3 F R S T A N N U A L C H U R C H M U S IC A L J3J\0
the community have worried, quite address, or to attend the Middle the college admissions and registra­
N ovem ber 2Otfi@ 6 P M
justifiably, about the venerable College program at Jefferson. So tion processes and - throughout high
Lurtfier H all, A insw orth to 27th tu rn l e f t to
school’s future. Speculation has what does this mean, exactly?
school - help with researching col­
Uhiv. c a r p u s to 1st p arking lo t on rig h t!
abounded as to whether the school
For several years now, in part- leges and careers, finding college
would be shut down or, perhaps, n ersh ip w ith P o rtlan d P u b lic scholarships, and choosing the right
Location: Concordia University Campus
somehow annexed or taken over by Schools, the Middle College pro- post-secondary training to put them
2800 NE Liberty (The GRW Library, Room 303)
the community’s other educational gram at Cascade Campus has en- on track for a 21 st-century career.
Portland, OR. 97211
a n ch o r, P o rtlan d C o m m u n ity abled students from Jefferson to
Of course, participation in the
College’s
Cascade
Campus.
enroll
in
college
classes,
and
earn
Middle College won’t guarantee that
To inquire about our Church please call: (503) 863-6545 or
I’m
here
today
to
tell
you
that’s
college
credit,
while
they’re
still
in
hodgchspks@msn.com
www.nwvoiceforchrist.com
a student’s every dream will come
just not the case Jefferson will remain high school. The program helps stu­ true. Nor will the program absolve
dents acclimate to the pace and rigor them of the need to work hard to
of college-level studies and - per­ achieve success. It will, however,
haps more importantly - helps them give them the opportunity to be some­
to see college as a place where they thing that many perhaps never imag­
belong and can succeed.
ined they would be - college stu­
The program is a success, and has dents.
been since its formation in 2005. In
And therein lies the greatest ben­
fact, since 2007 - when the Middle efit of the Middle College program, in
College partnership with Portland my opinion - belief. Many young
Public Schools was established in its people, particularly those from tradi­
current form - 133 of 135 Middle tionally underserved backgrounds,
College students have graduated see college as something that is out
from high school, for a graduation of reach, something reserved for
rate of 99 percent. Of these, 96 have those with more advantages. But
gone on to continue their college- when the Middle College puts them
j\.
level studies the following year, for a into college classrooms, alongside
Come to an information
college-going rate of 73 percent.
real college students, something re­
session in Portland and
By way of comparison, both of markable happens - they begin to
X
learn how to earn an
these figures - a 99 percent gradua­ feel like they belong. College becomes
tion rate and a 73 percent college­ not a far-off dream, but the natural
OSU master’s degree, a
going rate - far exceed the statewide next step in their personal evolution.
teaching license, and an
averages of 66 percent and 48 per­
The transformation of Jefferson to
endorsement to teach
cent, respectively.
a pre-college focus high school does
So what does this mean for not herald the end of a longtime neigh­
English-language learners
Jefferson and its students? So far, the borhood cornerstone, nor does it sig­
... in just 11 months.
446 NE Killingsworth St.
Middle College has been an “opt-in” nal the school’s absorption by PCC.
Portland, Oregon
program - the only participants have Rather, it marks a unique and valu­
been those students who have cho­ able opportunity for the young people
Contact: Ken Winograd, 541-737-5988
sen to do so. Starting in the fall of of our community to take their lives in
2011, incoming freshmen will choose exciting new directions.
Jefferson with aclear expectation that
Planning to attend the info session?
A wise American, Chief Justice
they will participate in the Middle Oliver Wendell Holmes, once said
Let us know by registering online.
College program. Jefferson students that a “mind stretched to a new idea
will access college-level coursework never goes back to its original di­
as they demonstrate readiness for it. mensions.” If you are a current or
Most Jefferson students will pur­ future Jefferson student - or the
sue one of two primary educational parent of one - I urge you to grab
goals: the Oregon Transfer Module this opportunity with both hands,
(which is essentially half of a two- and stretch your mind to new ideas.
year Associate’s degree), for those
Dr. Algie Gatewood is president
U N IV E R S IT Y
interested in eventually moving on to o f Portland Community College’s
a four-year college or university; or a Cascade Campus.
by I) r . A lgie G atewood
Interested
in becoming
a teacher in
less than a
year?
N o v e m b e r 18, 2 0 1 0
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Reflections Coffee House
e c a m p u s .o r e g o n s t a t e .e d u /m a t /in f o
0carnpus.oregonstate.edu
extendingosuworldwide
Oregon State