Ramp Up to Readiness

Ramp-Up to Readiness™was created by the University of Minnesota’s College Readiness Consortium and is a school-wide guidance program designed to increase the number and diversity of students who graduate from high school with the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary for success in a high-quality college program. 

Through participation in Ramp-Up to Readiness™, students in grades 9-12 progress toward readiness in five areas: Academic, Admissions, Career, Financial, and Personal and Social Readiness.”  (University of Minnesota, 2012)

 

As students enter the high school, they are assigned an advisement section that they will have until they graduate. In that section, the students will meet 28 times for a 30 minute Advisory Activity and also meet 5 times for a 45 minute Workshop over the school year. Every session will be centered around preparing each student for life after high school. 

During each of these sessions, the students will be asked to organize the information they receive into a document:

1. The Postsecondary Plan:  this document helps address the question, "What do I want to do with my life after high school?"
2. The Readiness Rubric:  this document helps address the question, "What do I need do to reach the goal?"

Plans are collected and called "Portfolios". They include seven key elements:

1. An emphasis on a rigorous academic schedule
2. Exploration of career and college interests
3. Training in skills for 21st Century Employment
4. Attaining community partnerships
5. Providing information on college access
6. Training for postsecondary options
7. Providing experiential learning opportunities

Portfolios are reviewed annually by students, their parents/guardians, and the school to ensure that each student's course choices align with their college and career goals. 

 

One of the central themes of the Ramp Up program is the foundational belief that "all students can and should be prepared for post-secondary education."  The goal of the program is to ensure that all 9th through 12th grade students are given the information that will assist them in making good choices for their futures and preparing them with the skills to excel in those choices. This belief is also shared by the Minnesota State Legislature's World's Best Workforce bill and by the Willmar Public School District. 

 

Learn more at http://www.rampuptoreadiness.org/.