The Ocean City School District has incorporated a series of innovative College and Career Readiness Programs in a commitment to increasing K-12 student performance and ensuring that all high school graduates are ready for postsecondary education or today’s workplace.
The programs were spearheaded by Tobi Oves, Ocean City School District’s college and career counselor.
“Our goal is to make college and career readiness a K-12 experience in order to best prepare our students for college and careers in the 21st century,” Oves said.
At the primary and intermediate school levels, programs include Career Days and Career Cruising, an Internet-based career exploration and planning tool used to explore career and college options and develop a career plan.
On College Awareness Days, staff members are encouraged to wear clothing with the logo of their alma mater. Evening presentations for parents geared toward early college and career planning are also planned.
At the high school level, programs and workshops become more focused on subjects like college application policies and procedures, essay writing, athletic and academic scholarships, leadership programs and financial aid. Lifestyle issues are also addressed with sessions on adjusting to living away from home and staying healthy in a college environment. Staff Development Workshops instruct teachers and administrators on writing effective letters of recommendation.
During her presentation, Oves pointed out the success of a recent On-site Admissions Week, which took place November 9 – 13, 2015, at Ocean City High School. Admissions officers from 19 colleges and universities visited the high school to meet and interview interested students. Sixty-five students were accepted as early admissions on the spot. Others received valuable interview experience, gaining a better understanding of what admissions personnel are looking for in a perspective college student.
“We heard from our district parents and alumni that we needed to help give our students a larger scope of options when it comes to developing a direction for future plans. With these endeavors and a varied assessment plan, including MAP, PSAT, SAT and ACT, we know that we are preparing our students well for a wide range of colleges and careers,” said OCSD Superintendent Kathleen W. Taylor, Ed.D.
—News Release from Aimee Schultz, JASM Consulting
