TOLEDO EXCEL: Academic Year Programming
It was determined early in the planning process that a truly innovative
curriculum would be an integral part of the EXCEL program. It was
concluded that students would not be challenged if content too closely
resembled the “regular” school curriculum. The following themes have been
developed over the years: The Aging Process, Ethnic America, Global
Cities, The Civil Rights and Human Rights Movement, and Global Diversity,
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including the Partnership for Educational Awareness and Cultural Exchange
(the PEACE Program). In terms of academic skills and development, writing
is a major emphasis, although the curriculum changes as needed.
The first-year curriculum, "Ethnic America," a two-week
writing-intensive Institute on the campus of The University of Toledo,
guides development of critical composition skills during students’ first
Summer Institute. In addition to improving other communication skills
(reading, listening, speaking and summarizing), classes introduce students
to the variety of ethnic and cultural groups who make up the population of
the United States, and Toledo, in particular. Previously, the "Aging
Process" curriculum emphasized appreciation of contributions made by older
members of society, present and past. Seniors discussed issues of aging,
to allow students to reflect upon related ideas and questions presented.
Students have worked on an oral history project by interviewing senior
citizens and collecting stories of their lives. Benefits of these studies
have included positive intergenerational experiences, and greater
awareness of the process of maturation throughout life.
The second-year curriculum, "Global Cities," enhances student problem-solving, analytical, reasoning, and computer-literacy skills. Students learn about demographic changes as well as social and political issues associated with urban life in six metropolitan areas of the world: Chicago, Johannesburg, Beijing, Mexico City, Sydney, and Paris. Students continue to enhance their creative writing skills and begin to develop technical writing skills by creating science and business reports. In relation to this Institute, students have concentrated their studies on particular urban areas, observing characteristics of urban life, and visiting museums, government offices, criminal justice centers and other places related to their studies of metropolitan life. Over the years, EXCEL students in this Institute have concentrated on Toledo, Cleveland, Columbus, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., in studying the “Urban World/Urban Tapestries” theme.
The third-year curriculum, “On Civil Rights: Struggles and Progress,” is designed to improve students' critical thinking and research skills as they learn important lessons of their history. The curriculum involves classes and ethnographic field studies on Civil Rights, investigating movements related to African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic-American or Native American Experiences. Students visit important historical sites, interview living history makers, create visual and print documents to be presented to the community, and learn the dramatic stories of Civil Rights activists and their contributions and struggles to change this country.
The
fourth-year curriculum on "Global Diversity" allows students to
concentrate on “Human Rights in the Global Community” as they explore
struggles for human dignity in a world of expanding technology and
shrinking natural resources. Students gain insight into the effects of
history, geography, and politics on the human rights of individuals. The
cultural and academic enrichment gained enables students to better
understand how their career aspirations might connect with international
opportunities. After field studies in Mexico, the PEACE Project was
implemented, linking TOLEDO EXCEL students with students in Western and
Southern Africa. In April 1998, EXCEL students and staff participated in a
field study in Beijing, China.
The fifth Summer Institute, “Bridging the Gap: Transitioning from High School to University Life,” helps smooth student transition from high school to college life at The University of Toledo. EXCEL students may enroll in college-level courses for University credit and an advanced beginning to their academic programs. Rising seniors may enroll in a college composition course where they write essays for use in publications related to EXCEL's ongoing Oral History and Civil Rights Projects.
TOLEDO EXCEL is adding to its academic support programming to focus
more on math and science based career tracks. The six care
er
tracks offered to students are Pharmacy, Engineering, Education
(specifically math and science education), the Sciences, Humanities and
Business. Students who have no expressed interest in a specific career
will be involved in a Career Aspiration track designed to help them
explore and decide upon other career options. This addition of career
track curriculum was made because 73% of EXCEL high school graduates
aspire to math and science based careers, but many are unable to complete
the required curriculum due to deficiencies in their math and science
backgrounds. Consequently, they end up transferring into other career
fields such as communications and criminal justice. Also, many of our
students do exceptionally well in the education field, but do not have the
necessary background to become teachers of math and science.
During the summer and academic year all career track programming emphasizes reading and writing across the curriculum, as well as academic content reflective of each career track. Mathematics, some area of Science and computer science in addition, field trips, career exploration activities, community service projects will be planned on the basis of career fields. Career tracks also will incorporate advanced technology in the classroom and other educational activities. This early career focus and preparation will be a springboard for academic and professional development and will help in bridging the gap between our students’ academic abilities and professional aspirations.
TOLEDO
EXCEL offers students a wide range of assistance including consistent
academic support. EXCEL students who receive lower than a “B” in a high
school course are offered tutoring to assist them in their studies; those
who receive below a “C” are required to come for tutoring. During the
school year, EXCEL students attend academic sessions including Saturday
School, which focus on skills to prepare them for college, i.e., problem
solving, critical thinking, critical analysis, creative writing, etc.
Saturday School is designed to offer supplemental academic instruction in
Math, English, Science and Computers to increase each student’s skill,
ability, comprehension, and confidence levels in these academic areas.
EXCEL freshman and sophomores are required to participate in at least two
(2) different supplemental instruction courses during the academic year.
EXCEL junior and senior students are encouraged to register for these
courses if they are having difficulty or would like to have additional
instruction. At two Academic Weekend Retreats, students from all EXCEL
groups meet overnight to work together on projects or attend sessions on
issues of critical importance to today’s minority youth. Personal and
group counseling sessions also are provided to students and their
families, along with workshops on career exploration, financial aid and
college admissions.
In addition to the intensive academic year programs each EXCEL student performs a minimum of 25 hours of voluntary community service each year, providing assistance to various organizations and agencies. Tutoring and assisting individuals preparing for the GED, tutoring in elementary schools, working with the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, assisting at nursing homes, day care centers and homeless shelters are among the types of service TOLEDO EXCEL volunteers have provided.
