OU-Tulsa is host of forum on partnering high schools, colleges

By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer - 11/7/2009


More than 170 educators and leaders from across the country will be discussing how high schools and colleges can forge strong community relationships during an event beginning Monday at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa's Community Engagement Center.

The two-day conference has attracted participants from a five-state region.

Speakers include Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor, Ira Harkavy of the University of Pennsylvania's Netter Center, OU-Tulsa President Gerry Clancy and Tulsa-area superintendents and educators.

The conference, "University-Assisted Community Schools: Linking Higher Education to High Schools for Stronger Communities," is the first presented by OU-Tulsa's engagement center and is in collaboration with the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania.

In February, the Netter Center selected OU-Tulsa as its first regional training center on university-assisted community schools, which means that OU-Tulsa will be a hub for other higher-education institutions in the region of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

"The OU Community Engagement Center is excited to host this important exchange of ideas on creating strong, consistent bridges between high schools, post secondary schools and higher education," Clancy said.

"Strengthening our public education systems is vital for communities across the country. We owe this to the students and to the future economic viability of our communities."

The concept of university-assisted community schools centers on higher education institutions working with high schools in redesigning curriculum for a better link to colleges and careers.

The goal is to provide students with academic experiences, mentoring and community support to increase graduation rates, higher education enrollment and career readiness.

During the conference, the newly formed Higher Education Forum, a partnership of nine local colleges and universities, will unveil its regional model.

The forum was designed to replicate a model created by the Netter Center, said Pamela Pittman, executive director of OU-Tulsa's engagement center.



Clifton Adcock 581-8462
clifton.adcock@tulsaworld.com


_________________________________________________

Tulsa World Reader Comments
_________________________________________________

Few Clothes, America (11/7/2009 8:33:16 AM)
These are two excellent universities and no student could go wrong enrolling in either.



Email to a Friend
Main Menu