The recognition means each school has shown a significant increase in its ACT composite score over the past five years, while at the same time increasing the number of students taking the ACT assessment. The result is a greater number of Oklahoma students prepared for college.

Only 5 percent of the high schools in Oklahoma were able to achieve the 2011 College Readiness Award. But, more than 76 percent of Oklahoma students took the ACT in 2011 – an all-time high.

The Oklahoma ACT Council, supervised by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, is comprised of secondary and postsecondary educators who advise ACT Inc. on the utilization of ACT programs and services in Oklahoma schools and colleges. Directors from ACT Inc.’s Southwest Region joined Oklahoma ACT Council members in recognizing the significant achievement of the 32 schools.

Five GEAR UP for SUCCESS high schools received the 2011 College Readiness Award: Colbert, Haworth, Howe, Salina, and Westville. Congratulations and good work!

Four Oklahoma students are recent additions to the University of Oklahoma K20 Center’s energy scholars program. The program offers scholarships to high school graduates from K20 network schools entering OU to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and math.

Cody Bryan, Broken Bow; Becca Castleberry, Chickasha; David Nelson, Norman; and, Michael Slemmons, Norman were awarded the scholarships based on their high school academic achievements, leadership and community involvement.

The K20 Scholars program provides four-year scholarships and a one-time award for a laptop computer for each student. In addition, the scholar receives money to design and implement a service-learning project in the student’s local community.
Learn more about the K20 Scholar program.

Senior K20 energy scholars are beginning to conduct their service-learning project. Steven Castleberry is bringing back a science fair for students at Grand Avenue Elementary in Chickasha. While Garret Gann, BreAnna Watterson, and Aimee Yousey are reaching out to middle schoolers at Longfellow Middle School in Norman to get them interested in professional science and mathematics fields.

Choosing high school courses to support college success.

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K20 Authentic Learning and Teaching (K20alt) provides educators with free model lessons that engage students and create deeper learning. The program has more than 1,000 members across the nation and in more than 20 countries.

The K20 Innovative Institute is only two weeks away. The one-day conference is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, November 4 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Norman. International education leaders Alan November and Wesley Fryer are the keynote speakers.

K20 ILI focuses on advancing innovating, creativity and leadership for 21st century learning. The conference offers many opportunities for learning and sharing through more than 36 professional development and networking sessions, discussion panels and guest speakers.  For more information and to register, visit k20ili.com.

The OETT grant helps schools develop a professional learning community using technology integration to increase student achievement. Awards for grant recipients include a maximum of $40,000 in technology equipment and staff release time, and $25,000 for year-long professional development through the K20 Center’s OK-ACTS program.

Learn more about OETT

See all OETT schools

Read the story in the Daily Oklahoman

Read the story in The Norman Transcript

School counselors in the GEAR UP Counselor Academy share challenges and ideas on how to prepare students for college.

Several K20 Center GEAR UP staff are headed to Washington this week to present at the 2010 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference. The joint conference of the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships and Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs is to highlight the importance of K-16 education/community partnerships and the accomplishments of GEAR UP. K20 Center staff presentations will focus on successful community partnerships and academic achievement and rigor.

Presenters are: Parent Specialist Shelly Ellis and Director Sharon Dean, “The GEAR UP Puzzle: Putting the Pieces Together with a Counselor Academy."


Technology Field Specialists Jake Heister and Liz Hecox, “Linking Instruction to Higher Order Thinking Through Technology Integration: Digital Storytelling”

Field Specialist Kate Shannon and Phase II Field Specialist Sara Snodgrass, "Collaborative Professional Development Plans."

Learn more about the GEAR UP presenters.

Learn more about the 2010 NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference

One of the K20 Center's GEAR UP for SUCCESS projects, Authentic Teaching and Learning, was featured in the Daily Oklahoman  by reporter James Tyree. This was the second ATE session the K20 Center hosted this summer. Nearly 100 teachers and students participated in the summer program.

The deadlines are getting near but there is still time to take advantage of K20 Center opportunities.

The first deadline, June 30, is for the K20 Supporting K20 Innovative Educators award. SKIE celebrates educators who promote innovative learning, inspire creativity and demonstrate excellence in teaching. Nominations can be an individual teacher, or team of teachers. SKIE winners receive a cash prize, recognition at the annual K20 Innovative Learning Institute and a feature story on the website. Go here for more information and an application.

SKIE questions - contact Scott Charlson, 325-1267, scott.charlson@ou.edu

The next deadline, July 16, is to apply for the 2010-11 K20 Scholars program. The program is for incoming OU freshmen who are pursuing energy-related degrees and careers. Candidates need to have graduated from a K20 Center network school. The program provides scholarships, research and industry opportunities and support for community projects. Go here for more information and an application.

Applications are due July 16. Click here to find out more about the K20 Scholars program and to download an application.

Lessons include:

• Where's the Beef - an algbra lesson using dissolving bouillion cubes
• Environmental Engineering - students take on the role of environmental engineer desgining landfills that degrade waste efficiently.
• Sifting through Sand - in this cross-curricular lesson students examine the causes and effects of the Dust Bowl and the economic and environmental impact it had on the region.

OU researchers Dr. Mark Nanny, the head of OU's Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences and Dr. Gary McManus, National Weather Center climatologist and leading expert on the Dust Bowl, have offered to collaborate with teachers and students as they work through the lessons.

1. Click here to download and review potential lessons.
2. Choose the lesson that works best for your classroom.
3. To connect with a scientists click on the contact information on the right side of the web page to schedule a time.
4. On May 12th, in conjunction with National Lab Day, K20alt specialists will be available to walk you through how to use Adobe Connect, a free and safe web-conferencing platform. Sign on and we will answer any questions or troubleshoot any potential problems.
5. Work through the lesson and connect with the Dr. Nanny or Dr. McManus. If you do not wish to connect with an expert, simply give the lesson a shot with your students and let us know how it goes!

The Science PDI program assists teachers in improving science instruction by providing intensive training in science content and inquiry processes along with FOSS science kits. For more information and to download the grant visit our Web site k20center.ou.edu/

The Leadership Class includes participants from:

The program begins with a two-day seminar at the K20 Center for professional development, enhanced with technology training. In addition, each educational leader receives a laptop to begin integrating technology into the learning process.

Throughout the year, participants meet for smaller follow-up sessions, review staff technology assessments, develop action plans for their schools and participate in school networking. After successful completion of the program, schools can apply for K20 Center’s additional leadership development and technology programs that address whole school needs.

Leadership pictures

Learn More About Leadership

The 2010 K20 Innovative Learning Institute is November 4 at the Norman Embassy Suites Conference Center. Go to k20ili.com for updates about the event. See photos of past conferences and you'll know why we can say happily, "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow."

Other important grant dates:

Notice of intent to apply - March 1

Grant Logistics Teleconference - March 3
(10am-12pm)

Grant Due - April 26

Professional development in the virtual realm can bring rewards in the real world.

The K20 Center's Phase II OETT team recently won the Oklahoma Distance Learning Association’s best practices award for distance learning programming.

The honor was awarded to the team for its Moodle Professional Learning Community Project.

Using Moodle, a free online course management system, the K20 Center Phase II team set up a virtual platform for K-12 educators. Teachers can access, share and even discuss learning content such as SmartBoard Lessons and WebQuests.

Phase II Co-Director Scott Charlson accepted the award at the fall ODLA conference in Tulsa, Okla.

"The momentum of the PLC is really taking shape," said Charlson. "We believe that it will become a powerful and sustainable resource for our state."

Other Phase II OETT team members include K20 Center Associate Directors Linda Atkinson and Leslie Williams, and Field Technology Specialists Brenda Craige and Nicki Watkins.

The Oklahoma Distance Learning Association Best Practices award for Distance Learning Programming is presented to a learning institution that develops a unique and/or rigorous distance learning program to benefit students in any K-20 environment.

“My focus is to continue expanding the K-12 network, and enriching connections among schools, university researchers, industry partners and policymakers. By working together, we can create meaningful partnerships that improve education, benefitting students and our state.”

Newman, who doctoral research focused on leadership development, believes that there are as many acceptable approaches to leadership as there are leaders. However, he adds, "Ultimately, leadership is about improving people's lives through change and innovation."

Newman, who joined OSUIT in 2000, hold bachelor's and masters degrees from The University of Oklahoma, a master's from the University of Oxford, and a doctorate from Oklahoma State University. Her serves as chair of the institution's Information Technologies Division.

In addition to serving on the K20 Center board of advisors, he is on the International Review Board of the International Association of Journals and Conference. He is also a member of Leadership Oklahoma's Class XXII, and has been accepted to become an evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

More than 50 University colleagues and fellow researchers from around the state joined the K20 Center on November 14 to learn more about the Center's research efforts and discuss its impact on education transformation.

K20 Center researchers led roundtable discussions on 23 areas of study including digital game based learning, increasing student achievement through technology-enriched learning communities, the factors of success for rural schools and the impact of the K20 model on K-12 education.

This was the first time the K20 Center had sponsored a research conference. K20 Center Director Mary John O'Hair said the K20 Center has always been involved in generating knowledge and disseminating results through its 500 plus network of schools.

"Today, the K20 Center focuses on ‘engaged research.' We believe the more collaborative the research process is between university researchers and school and community partners, the more effective it can be, both as scholarship and as service to society," said O'Hair.

Leslie Williams, Associate Director for K20 Research, said the K20 Center plans to offer additional research conferences at least once a year.

"The discussion and exchange of views fostered by the conference helps all of us increase our knowledge and explore better ways to improve education," said Williams.

To see a full list of presented research topics and additional information

WINTER INSTITUTE

Come learn and share with educators who are transforming their schools and districts into high performing, technology-rich professional learning communities at the K20 Center’s 2009 Winter Institute.

Building a future can be expensive, especially if you are a college student. Which is why college scholarships are so important. Scholarships definitely help ease the cost of college and for many students can be the deciding factor of whether they can go to college. But the K20 Center’s program, K20 Scholars, takes scholarships a step further by not only financially helping students build their future, but also the students’ hometowns through service learning.

The K20 Scholars program offers scholarships to high school graduates from the K20 Center’s network schools who are entering the University of Oklahoma to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The program provides four-year scholarships and a laptop computer for each student. K20 Scholars also receive additional money to design and implement a service-learning project in their hometown.

According to K20 Center Director Mary John O’Hair, service learning is a vital, and often overlooked, part of education. “Educating the whole student goes beyond books and research,” said O’Hair. “By addressing the social, economic and political concerns of their local and immediate communities, student learning becomes connected and meaningful rather than fragmented and abstract.”

Since 2003 the K20 Center has sponsored a handful of K20 Scholars. Thanks to a recent donation from BP, the number will increase to 23 in 2008.

The First Scholar

Dewey Hulsey wasn’t planning on going to OU, or any college for that matter. As a high school junior living in the small rural town of Quinton, Okla., Hulsey figured his options were limited to working on a farm or an oilfield.

But after working with the K20 Center to help install new technology equipment purchased for his school with an Oklahoma Educational Technology Trust grant, college became a goal.

“Before that college wasn’t a realistic thing for me at the time. I thought maybe I wasn’t cut out for college so I hadn’t applied anywhere,” said Hulsey.

K20 Center technology director Scott Charleson worked closely with Hulsey at his high school and encouraged Hulsey to come to OU. After exploring colleges and applying for grants like the K20 Center Scholars, Hulsey chose OU.

Today he is a senior majoring in computer science and visual communications.
Hulsey also uses his computer skills for the K20 Center as a technology specialist. Some of his work can be seen on the K20 Center’s Web sites. Hulsey helped code and design the new (k20center@ou.edu) and existing site (k20network.ou.edu).

After graduation Hulsey plans to continue working with Web technologies designing and programming cutting-edge web software, even possibly owning a design firm.

“Being excited about technology changed my life, my vision. Having someone believe in you and show you new possibilities – that inspiration made the difference for me,” said Hulsey.

Crazy Scientists

Another K20 Scholar is OU sophomore Michelle Schuller. A graduate of Geary, Okla., Schuller’s graduating class had 33 students.

But being in a rural town did not stop Schuller from seeking opportunities to excel. Besides playing volleyball and softball, Schuller was in academic clubs, earned a trip to a leadership camp in North Carolina, and in her senior year received a Rotary scholarship for her volunteer work.

Like Hulsey, Schuller learned about the K20 Scholar program when her school became part of the K20 Center’s school network. When the principal found out Schuller wanted to come to OU, he introduced her to the K20 Center in 2005.

This year Schuller will be a junior majoring in health and exercise science and plans on becoming an occupational therapist. She is in the OU Honors College and is a teaching assistant for University College’s Freshman Programs. She also is a work-study student at the K20 Center.

“K20 exposed me to the world of research,” said Schuller. “By helping gather research data and having to design a research project myself, I am seriously considering going for my doctoral degree and going into research as a career. Before, I thought research was only done by crazy scientists.”

Paying It Forward

One of the major components of the K20 Scholars program is service learning, as seen in the K20 Center’s IDEALS framework (http://k20network.ou.edu/about/framework).

Both students have some time before they begin their community service project, but have a few ideas in mind.

“I want to do something that will get students in Quinton involved with computers and show them that the possibilities with computers are endless and achievable,” said Hulsey.

Schuller wants to combine her occupational therapy with another one of her interests, social therapy. She is investigating developing a community garden that would be maintained by the citizens of Geary.

“The K20 Scholars program has given me a lot of opportunities that I wouldn’t have had, like this community project. It is cool to meet with the schools and help them out –
knowing that we are doing good,” said Schuller.

Human Potential — A Great Investment

Typically, when businesses invest they want to know their return of investment – hard numbers that justify the expense. But with scholarships, the numbers often appear on paper, not in human form. The K20 Scholars program offers funders the chance to see first-hand the benefit of investing in human potential.

In addition to several opportunities to meet and talk with the K20 scholars, each student is required to participate in STEM-related research; share projects with K-12 schools across Oklahoma; and hold internships, or research experiences with industry and academic partners.

When Hulsey was a college freshman, he received a computer grant from a company but did not have personal contact with them.

“It really helped me out a lot, but I think that the company would have liked to have been a little more involved in their scholarship, instead of just funding my studies,” said Hulsey.

“The K20 Scholars program is tailored to meet the student’s needs and connects back with the scholarship recipient,” said Hulsey. “Companies that sponsor K20 Scholars are making an investment instead of a subsidy.”

With the recent donation from BP to sponsor several K20 Scholars, the investment in the future looks brighter for students and their hometowns, the university and ultimately the workforce.

More than 3,500 seventh-grade students in 36 Oklahoma middle and junior high schools will get the help they need to prepare for college, thanks to the University of Oklahoma’s K20 Center and a $2.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, or GEAR UP, grant designed to help disadvantaged students prepare for and pursue a college education, is eligible for renewal for five years, meaning that the total grant could ultimately reach $17 million.

The U.S. Department of Education reported 283 GEAR UP applications were received this year, although only 24 could be funded. A strong proponent of the program, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole has actively worked to maintain funding for the program, even helping to thwart proposed federal budget cuts.

"I have always been a proud supporter of educational grant programs that give opportunities to those who need them most,” said Cole. “I am pleased that the University of Oklahoma received GEAR UP funding this year. I am proud to represent the OU community and want to commend their work making education more accessible and affordable."

K20 Center Director Mary John O’Hair applauded Cole for his support for improved education for all students. “Congressman Cole understands the importance of Oklahoma students learning 21st-century skills and champions continued funding for valuable programs like GEAR UP,” said O’Hair.

The K20 Center will provide professional development and technology through its innovative education model, working in depth with school leaders, teachers and students. In addition the students will participate in university-based college awareness and preparation activities.

The K20 Center plans to continue working with the same group of seventh graders as they move through middle school, high school and post secondary education.

The K20 Center’s GEAR UP grant is a partnership project that requires public schools, higher education, communities and business organizations to work together to provide students and their families a range of support services needed to prepare for college.

“This is truly a collaborative effort of school, university and community to provide a solid framework for these students to succeed in school and life,” said O’Hair.