The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Board to partner with U of M
By Kathleen R. Conat, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: April 5, 2007
Ypsilanti High School will team with the University of Michigan's College of Engineering in a partnership designed to increase student interest in engineering careers.
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The program will focus on female and African American students, although all students may participate. Women and African Americans typically do not go into the engineering fields, according to Jill Andrews, director of research education and outreach for the engineering college.
The plan calls for U of M graduate engineering students to work with Ypsilanti teachers in mentoring to improve student achievement and motivate students to go to college.
The program also will include parents, helping them toward their own educational goals, as well as providing information on financial aid and college applications for their children.
"Research shows when parents get involved with education themselves, they get a lot more excited about encouraging their own kids to learn,'' Andrews said.
Maurice Telesford, an engineering graduate at U of M, said he already is working with high school math teacher Molly Porter twice a week, mentoring students and that he is promoting the program to U of M students and finding an enthusiastic response for the idea of giving about 10 hours a week of their time to high school students.
The full program will begin in the fall and Andrews said the expectation was to have the high school part of it running smoothly within two years. The program also will expand into the middle and elementary schools. U of M is financing the effort.
In other business, a brief overview of the schools' Bond Program was given by representatives of consulting firms associated with the effort.
A special meeting is set for 7 p.m. April 2 to discuss the complete proposal, which will be voted on August 7.
Board President Floyd Brumfield and Trustee Andrew Fanta reported on the Michigan Educational Summit, which they had attended that day. Fanta said he was very disappointed that no state legislators were present. Both Brumfield and Fanta said they were disappointed that Gov. Jennifer Granholm did not address districts' financial concerns for the coming year.
High school Choir Director Elizabeth Patterson accepted a certificate of recognition for the choir, which recently received superior rankings in state competition.
Kathleen Conat is a longtime Ypsilanti resident and freelance writer for The Courier. She can be reached through editor@ypsilanticourier.com.
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