Preparing High School Students for a College Fair

After a teaching career in New York City charter schools, Caitlin Franco established the Equality Charter School located in the Bronx. As the school’s executive director, Caitlin Franco implements initiatives that promote college readiness and academic excellence, including annual college fairs. 

College fairs give high school students a glimpse into the world of higher education and the types of programs that are available. If students are well-prepared, a college fair can be the first step to entering university.

Well before the fair takes place, students should talk to their guidance counselors about their academic and career goals. The counselor can work with the student to identify viable career paths and then schools that offer relevant majors. Counselors should also inform students about the differences between bachelor and associate degree programs and the benefits and disadvantages of each.

Once students have identified several schools that are a good fit for their future plans, they should do some research by visiting each school’s website and Facebook page and by reading news articles. By gaining general knowledge beforehand, students can discuss specific information with a college representative.

Measuring Student Growth Over Proficiency

A graduate of Harvard University, Caitlin Franco is the founder and executive director of Equality Charter School in the Bronx, New York. In this role, Caitlin Franco and her colleagues strive to create a learning environment that focuses on individual student growth rather than general student achievement.

In educational environments that emphasize student growth, children are assessed on their academic growth and progress over time rather than their performance on state-mandated standardized tests. This form of academic evaluation more accurately displays a school’s ability to help students from all backgrounds. 

According to a 2017 article in The New York Times, a focus on academic growth may also offer a more honest comparison between the effectiveness of school districts regardless of the level of funding. This may affect the schools that parents perceive to be prestigious, which may influence where they want to live.