December 15, 2011 11:31 AM

MIDDLEBORO —It is no secret that a major public education agenda item at the state level is to promote readiness of high school graduates for success in college and careers. The agenda incorporates strategies that are being implemented at the elementary and secondary school level, the higher education level and, quite often, jointly by both sectors.
Eastern Bank, Massasoit Community College and Middleboro High School recently created a program that provides support so that Middleboro High School students can reach their goals.
“In these challenging economic times, it is more important than ever to work together to provide students with these opportunities,” said John Wainwright, branch manager, Eastern Bank Middleboro, during a meeting of the three organizations on Monday morning.
The Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation donated $10,000 for this initiative.
Massasoit’s Dean of Academic Advising, Assessment, and K-12 Outreach Peter Johnston is working closely with the high school staff. “We have been able to work with staff and faculty in the school to find out what their needs are and to customize a program that serves the most students,” he stated. “These targeted grants [such as Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation’s] help us build relationships with our partner schools that go far beyond the specific grant-funded activities.”
Recently, as part of a professional day for MHS faculty and staff, a group of 13 faculty and staff members from Massasoit convened a series of conversations about what it means to be “college ready.” They started with small group discussions across disciplines in which high school and college faculty identified characteristics of “college ready” students and came up with definitions of “college readiness.” The day ended with a discussion on specific strategies for promoting “college readiness.”
“This mutual effort reflects the larger statewide and national focus on ‘college readiness’,” stated Dr. Charles Wall, president of Massasoit Community College. “We are helping students become ‘college ready’ and prepare to meet their educational goals whether or not they ultimately attend Massasoit.”
One of the primary strategies for promoting college readiness is early Accuplacer college placement testing.
“The grant provided by Eastern Bank was also used to purchase Accuplacer licenses for the high school, and they have already tested the vast majority of their 11th graders,” Dean Johnston added.
The Accuplacer is not used just at Massasoit Community College; it is the common placement exam throughout the Commonwealth. In the spring, a section of Massasoit’s College Experience class will be offered at the high school, during the day. Students will receive both high school and college credit for the course. The course and course materials will be covered by the grant and free to students.
There are several other opportunities which will be offered through the support of Eastern Bank, such as on-the-spot admissions and financial aid workshops, reduced cost dual enrollment, and some scholarship awards.

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