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Programs

 

Educational Equity

The Swearer Center is building an approach to educational equity and opportunity that works with students and families across a continuum of time and through a combination of research, direct service, policy work, and advocacy. Our current programs provide the starting point for this effort:

High School

College Guides: The National College Advising Corps at Brown

The National College Advising Corps at Brown seeks to increase the number of low- to moderate-income high school students who enter college and earn bachelor’s degrees, by providing college application and financial aid guidance to those students and their families. Seven Full-Time College Guides (recent graduates of Brown and URI) work collaboratively with guidance staff, principals, teachers, and others at partner schools across R.I. to increase the awareness, preparation, and college-going disposition of underserved students. Brown University undergraduate volunteers provide individual and group SAT-prep, essay-writing, and financial aid programming at a subset of the schools. The initiative is funded by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and the Rhode Island Service Alliance. Contact: Rosanna_Castro@brown.edu

Dan Rather Reports features the College Advising Corps at
Brown on May 27, 2008. ( View short clip / View entire program )

Rhode Island Urban Debate League (RIUDL)

The Rhode Island Urban Debate League (RIUDL) exists to provide access to the trajectory-changing activity of policy debate to students, teachers, and communities in the urban core of Rhode Island. Part of a national network of Urban Debate Leagues, the League currently supports debate and forensics teams in ten high schools in Providence, Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Woonsocket, with students participating annually in 6 local competitive tournaments, 2-3 travel tournaments, college preparation workshops, and a summer institute. College student volunteers partner with dedicated teachers to coach at after-school practices and Saturday workshops, developing mentorship relationships with high school students along the way.  The RIUDL also supports debate-across-the-curriculum professional development for teachers statewide, at least two Public Debates each year, and a public speaking class at the Rhode Island Training School. Director: Will Tucker. Coordinators: James Brandt, Shiyin Wang, Morgan Whitworth, Jeremiah Kittredge, and Dani Cinali (Middle Schools).
Contact: Morgan_Whitworth@brown.edu; James_Brandt@brown.edu

Brown Science Prep

Brown Science Prep's mission is to show high school students the excitement of science through lessons geared to real world phenomena, applicable learning and hands on demonstration. Our structure encourages Brown student mentorship of Hope and Times2 9th and 10th grade students, while building a sense of community. Additionally, we aim to encourage our students to begin thinking about college and the college process. Coordinator: Jessica Bloome.
Contact: Jessica_Bloome@brown.edu

Algebra in Motion

Algebra in Motion is a new educational partnership between Hope High School, Brown University, and Texas Instruments. The collaboration provides access to graphing calculators for every ninth-grade algebra student at Hope High School, and aims to improve student engagement and achievement in math.  Swearer Center student coordinators organize volunteers to join Algebra I classes as teaching assistants, working with Hope High math teachers to implement the Algebra in Motion program. Coordinators: Hannah Watson and Cristina Rodrigues.
Contact: Hannah_Watson@brown.edu; Cristina_Rodrigues@brown.edu

Listen to: Bob Moses, Founder of The Algebra Project

College Guidance Project

The College Guidance Project works with Hope High School seniors to build one-on-one relationships, as well as preparation and guidance through the college admissions process.
As mentors our goal is to work with each student in completing the following:

  • a list of colleges to which each student will apply
  • a finished college application packet for each college on the list
  • registration and completion of the SAT or ACT
  • facilitate access to financial aid and scholarships

Coordinators: Joanna Serrato.
Contact: Joanna_Serrato@brown.edu

Brown SAT/College Prep

Brown SAT/College Prep offers free SAT preparation and access to information on the college application process to Hope juniors and seniors primarily.   The program aims to instill the experience and confidence needed to better master the test.  Furthermore, through interaction with the mentors in a low student:teacher ratio, a sense of community is fostered that will offer students a source of support and guidance on their path to college. Coordinators: Kenji Taylor and Sejal Jhaveri.
Contact: Nicholas_Taylor@brown.edu; Sejal_Jhaveri@brown.edu

OLEEP

OLEEP (Outdoor Leadership Environmental Education Project) is a mentoring program for Met High School students of all grade levels.  Brown volunteers engage with the Met students in one-on-one mentoring relationships, weekly environmental education/science workshops, and camping or backpacking trips.  OLEEP strives to foster individual awareness, personal challenge, and leadership skills in Brown and Met students as they learn from each other. Coordinators: Katherine Clark
Contact: Katherine_Clark@brown.edu