Great Lakes/Urban League effort puts SP students of color on path to college

The Urban League of Greater Madison will help more than 200 middle school youth from six schools in Sun Prairie and Madison explore college and career options through its 21st Century Careers Program.

The effort was made possible in part by a $50,000 grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation.

The Careers Program helps students begin to develop their career goals in middle school so that they enter high school prepared to take - and succeed in - the classes necessary to realize their college and career dreams.

By serving primarily African American students, other students of color and economically disadvantaged students, the Urban League's Careers Program aims to close the achievement gap and connect education and career aspirations for more than 200 sixth through eighth grade students.

Throughout the year-long program, students receive academic tutoring and enrichment, financial literacy education, career exploration, a first-hand look at the workplace and, most important, an understanding of the connection between school success and career aspirations.

"Linking careers, future earnings and dreams to higher education is critical to starting at-risk middle school students on the path to college," said Scott Gray, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Greater Madison. "Our program helps students start down this path by increasing their knowledge of career and post-secondary options, increasing their school attendance, and improving their math and literacy skills.

"The Urban League of Greater Madison has been at the forefront of efforts to develop innovative academic support, college readiness and career development programs for at-risk middle school students," said Richard D. George, president and chief executive of Great Lakes. "We are especially pleased with the opportunity to work together to help prepare Madison and Sun Prairie students with the knowledge that college is possible."