Tyler ISD and The Princeton Review
Partnership Update
May 2005
Tyler ISD contracted with The Princeton Review in November 2004 to deliver the following college readiness plan:
1) Implementation of The Princeton Review Education and Career Opportunities System: an online college and career portfolio management and tracking system
2) Delivery of The Princeton Review Online SAT or ACT test prep courses for all Tyler ISD Junior class students
3) Training of Tyler ISD instructors on The Princeton Review SAT and PSAT test-taking strategies and course pedagogy through its Teacher-To-Teacher training program.
4) Delivery of The Princeton Review SMART Start courses by Princeton Review instructors to Tyler ISD Sophomores focusing on skill-building and test strategies in five key areas: Math, Word, Grammar, Reading and Writing development.
5) Materials and scoring for 2 practice PSAT exams to assist in the selection process of those top-scoring students targeted for the Summer SAT and PSAT courses.
6) Support, materials and delivery of the Summer SAT and PSAT courses taught by Tyler ISD instructors certified through The Princeton Review Teacher-To-Teacher training program.
The partnership between The Princeton Review began in December 2004 with a planning and implementation meeting. Contacts present included the following:
Tyler ISD Contacts
District Office
Karen Raney, Director of Academic Programs
R.E. Lee HS
Rick McDaniel, Principal
John Tyler HS
Ora Taylor, Asst. Principal
Technology Director: John Orbaugh
Princeton Review Contacts
Joe Guerra, National Director, Educational Partnerships
Kerry Goldstein, Executive Director (coordinates implementation)
Hazel Gawaran, Director of High School Programs (coordinates programs/materials/testing, etc)
An overview letter was drafted by The Princeton Review and sent to the District for distribution to parents outlining the new partnership and its components (see attached).
The partnership between Tyler ISD launched with the delivery of three (3) professional development training dates: one for the Education and Career Opportunities System (ECOS) implementation, one for the Online Course training and setup, and one schedule for the Teacher-To-Teacher training for The Princeton Review SAT and PSAT courses.
The trainings for ECOS and Online were held at Robert E. Lee HS Library for 25 trainees during each training.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for ECOS: This is the all-day training for the Educational and Career Opportunities System and is recommended that counselors and AP teachers attend as well as tech coordinators at each school Training time: 8-4 (with a one-hour lunch break)
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT for Online Courses: This is the training for the online courses, and it is recommended that you send your PreAP and AP Math & English teachers. Training time: 8-4 (with a one-hour lunch break)
The Teacher-to-Teacher training was held in December and January at the Tyler ISD District Office and was led by Princeton Review Master Trainer Rachel Washington.
The Princeton Review courses began in January with the launch of semester-long after school SMART Start course. Classes are currently running for 57 students at John Tyler HS on Thursdays from 4-6pm and for 49 students at Robert E. Lee on Tuesdays from 4-6pm. These classes are being led by Princeton Review instructors.
In March, The Princeton Review provided 600 practice PSAT exams to each high school (300 each for John Tyler and Robert E. Lee). These tests were scored by The Princeton Review and a score summary was provided to each school for identification of top achieving students for the Summer SAT program. Individual score reports were provided to each student detailing their score. Please see attached score summary for score details.
The Summer SAT and PSAT courses are to begin on May 30th and will be taught by the Tyler ISD instructors trained through the Teacher-to-Teacher program. A teacher refresher training presented by The Princeton Review is set for May 18th at the Tyler ISD District Office to ensure class plans are complete. The Summer courses will serve 150 students for SAT and PSAT preparation. Students will receive 3 full-length practice SAT exams during the course and 2 practice exams for the PSAT course.
Tyler ISD sent letters to parents of the top performing students (based on the practice PSAT scores) and other criteria inviting them to participate in the Summer SAT and PSAT programs. A $50 fee from parents is required for enrollment and attendance will be closely monitored.