Hobart and William Smith Colleges

17 June 2009 HWS Research Used for Geneva Schools

An article in the Finger Lakes Times recently focused on Success for Genevas Childrens 12th annual leadership breakfast, at which the graduation rate of Geneva High School was discussed, as well as plans to improve it. The article also mentioned how data collected by HWS students played a key role in the Citys strategic planning for its four-year plan.

Mayor Stu Einstein, Success executive director, went over this years data about Genevas children and their families. Hobart and William Smith Colleges students researched and compiled the data, using the community as their laboratory, notes the article.

The data Einstein used was the result of research conducted by Christina Kinnevey 09 and Emma Daley 10, The Success for Genevas Children Data Report, with Project Adviser Wes Perkins, professor of sociology at the Colleges.

Community Based Research (CBR) projects entail a semester long commitment devoted to the exploration of a vital community issue. Students with exceptional initiative work collaboratively with a community partner and faculty sponsor. Responsibilities vary based upon the specific details within the proposal and will likely include independent research, weekly check-ins with community partner and faculty sponsor, and a concluding presentation or project. CBR projects can count towards a students major (see course requirements) or as Geneva Collaborative Internship (GCIP 401). More information about Service-learning and Community Based Research is online.

The complete text of the article from the Finger Lakes Times follows.

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Finger Lakes Times
GHS graduation rates focus of leadership event
Amanda Folts June 14, 2009

GENEVA Graduation rates at the high school were a focus Friday at Success for Genevas Childrens 12th annual leadership breakfast.

The rate was down to 66 percent last year from 75 percent the year before. But high school Principal Bill Rotenberg said the rate is based on the original freshman class.

Theres a million things that can happen in the course of the years, he said.

Rotenberg gave a presentation called Working toward a Success Story: Get That Diploma!

He said the high school has a four-year plan, mapped out when students are in eighth grade. The school makes sure students meet state graduation requirements and tracks some red flags, including academic progress, social and personal crises and attendance.

The response to problems in those areas includes five-week report cards, contact with parents or guardians, conferences and attendance letters, Rotenberg said.

This years graduating class consists of 165 seniors, although Rotenberg said there may be fewer next week.

Some students take five years to graduate and some have to turn to a GED when their life circumstances change, he said.

The graduation rate doesnt currently include students who take five years. If it did, Rotenberg said, Genevas graduation rate would have been 71 percent.
The state plans to begin counting five-year graduations, Rotenberg said.

We know now that our continued success with those students is going to pay off, he said.

The schools efforts include looking at how poverty impacts students and abandoning the wait to fail approach to education.

Lets start to plan early, Rotenberg said. Lets look for ways for these kids to be successful before they fail.
Rotenberg brought with him one student from this years graduating class, Yadira Colon. Colon, who transferred to Geneva from Connecticut in her sophomore year, said she plans to pursue a degree in criminal justice from Keuka College.

In acclimating herself to her new school, Colon, who is originally from Puerto Rico, said she joined the chorus and worked with her English as a Second Language teacher.

Asked what advice shed give struggling freshmen, Colon said shed tell them what she tells herself.

Ill tell them that if they want to see a change in this world, I guess they should start with themselves, she said.

Mayor Stu Einstein, Success executive director, went over this years data about Genevas children and their families. Hobart and William Smith Colleges students researched and compiled the data, using the community as their laboratory.

Einstein tried to pick out some of the key statistics collected for the presentation.

That can be really difficult because every indicator that we track is important to somebody for some reason: Thats why its here, he said.

Einstein asked for suggestions on topics to study next year.

Our goal is to be responsive to the needs of the community, Einstein said.

Success for Genevas Children aims to involve the community in an effort to improve the health and well being of its children and families.