Monday, September 24, 2018
Fifteen public school districts across Wisconsin have received a combined $630,000 in grants from Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates to launch texting programs that will help more students overcome “summer melt.” This phenomenon occurs when high school graduates are unable to complete crucial tasks over the summer, such as finalizing financial aid packages, registering for orientation and confirming campus housing. As a result, they don’t make it to college in the fall, despite having an acceptance letter in hand.
Summer melt affects as many as 40% of the high school graduates from underserved communities who have been accepted into college. But it can be prevented with a surprisingly simple intervention. Multiple studies show that a series of “nudges” sent by high school counselors over the summer can increase the number of students who successfully enroll come fall.
Text Steps represents Great Lakes’ first effort to expand summer texting programs across Wisconsin. It builds on knowledge gained through a 2015 Great Lakes project in which Dr. Ben Castleman of the University of Virginia studied what it took for three Wisconsin public school districts to launch summer texting programs.
During the Text Steps project, Great Lakes will provide start-up funding, data and technology support, and coaching from an experienced and dedicated program officer. Participants will connect with their peers, experienced colleagues, and national experts and prepare to make the case for sustaining their program after the Great Lakes grant period ends.
While access to mobile phone technology continues to expand, Great Lakes recognizes that disparities in cell phone access persist for the poorest families. Throughout the grant period, the Text Steps grant team will work with the school districts to better understand and remove barriers to student participation.
“Our grantmaking is all about building opportunity,” said Richard D. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Great Lakes. “We look forward to supporting our Text Steps partners as they help their students advance toward their postsecondary goals.”
Text Steps project participants are:
- Adams-Friendship Area School District
- Unified School District of Antigo
- School District of Fort Atkinson
- Green Bay Area Public School District
- Kenosha Unified School District
- School District of La Crosse
- School District of Monroe
- Racine Unified School District
- St. Francis School District
- Sheboygan Area School District
- School District of South Milwaukee
- Tomahawk School District
- Watertown Unified School District
- West Allis-West Milwaukee School District
- Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools
For more information, visit community.mygrealakes.com.