Buffalo Schools Superintendent Pamela Brown has announced a College and Career Scholarship Expo will take place at Bennett High School this Saturday.
The announcement was made during the districts regularly scheduled press briefing, Thursday. The event aims to boost high school graduation rates in the city and to build a talented workforce.
This year’s expo will offer 8th – 12th grade students and parents the ability to participate in workshops on college, careers and scholarships, take advantage of instant admissions to WNY 2-year Colleges, participate in interactive workshops conducted by Healthcare Professionals, meet with College Admission representatives, prepare Income Tax with Certified Income Tax Preparers for free, meet with Financial Aid representatives from area colleges to complete FAFSA, and receive scholarship information and apprentice opportunities.
Brown says she hopes the fair will boost the level of achievement in the district.
“In this district we constantly impart the importance to our students of finishing high school and planning for college and careers. So, this partnership that will allow us to provide this expo fills a critical need of brining key partners together to supports us and support or families and students in the work that must be done to ensure great post secondary opportunities,” said Brown.
Brown says local business and trade organizations will also be on hand to help students plan for future careers. They will also have the ability to participate in interactive exploratory career workshops with health care researchers and providers.
“We are aiming high, working smart, and we are assuring that our students will finish strong in this global competitive market,” said Brown.
Brown says she believes the district is on its way to reach an 80% graduation rate by 2018. Brown also commented on the State Legislature's request to delay Common Core standards for two years during the briefing.
“Most of the concern that I have heard among parents and others has to do with the testing related to Common Core. So, as we think about the teaching, the learning, the curriculum, the professional development, all of those things are already underway. I would hope that we would be able to continue that process,” said Brown.
Brown says she’s believes students need to have access to rigorous standards to foster achievement. She says she’s following the State Education Department’s lead when it comes to decisions.