Framingham High, Keefe Tech Students Part of 100 Males to College Initiative

FRAMINGHAM, MA - A new state-wide initiative aimed at closing the opportunity gap among male students by partnering with Framingham High and Keefe Technical high schools, community organizations, and public colleges will launch today, Feb. 26 at Framingham State University.

100 Males to College will provide a comprehensive support structure to a cohort of 100 young male students to help them successfully graduate from high school, gain entry to college and earn a post-secondary degree. The support structure is an asset-based youth development model that embraces culture, identity and community.

One hundred male sophomore and junior students from Framingham High School and Keefe Technical High School have been identified and selected to participate in the program, which is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

“We’re launching 100 Males to College programs here in Framingham and in communities across the state because we need all students, regardless of race, gender or economic status, to see college as an essential part of their future,” said Carlos E. Santiago, Commissioner of Higher Education for the Commonwealth, in a statement. “At a time when Massachusetts employers face critical shortages of college graduates, it is both an economic imperative and a matter of social justice that we help more young men achieve the dream of a higher education and the chance to pursue a career of their choice.”

100 Males to College was created in 2015 to increase college access, enrollment, retention, and success for low-income males and males of color and particularly young, low-income Latino and African American men so that their prospects for success in college and career are more attainable.

“Every child deserves the same opportunity to attend and succeed in college,” said Framingham State President F. Javier Cevallos. “These students represent the future for their communities, which is why we are so excited to take part in this important initiative.”

“Achievement gaps are generally outcomes of opportunity gaps,” said MassBay Community College Interim President Yves Salomon-Fernandez. “This collaboration reflects the strength of the regional partnership among the vocational/technical and traditional K-12 school districts, two-year and four-year higher education partners in MetroWest.”

The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education awarded a $100,000 College Access Challenge Grant to fund the 100 Males to College in Framingham.

Other partners in the program include the MetroWest College Planning Center, MetroWest Boys and Girls Club, MetroWest YMCA, Jewish Family Services, and CHYTEN Premier Tutoring & Test Preparation of Framingham.

The partners will develop a set of activities and unique experiences for the cohort aimed at increasing students’ aspirations and readiness to attend college, as well as their general knowledge of the application process and strategies for achieving personal, academic and professional success.

Elements of the project include:

• Designated mentors or “success coaches” provided by the high school, community groups and/or colleges
• Full day and overnight visits to local campuses
• Enrollment in at least one dual enrollment course
• Ongoing in-school support
• Participation in financial aid literacy and college and career planning seminar
• Strength-based, courageous conversations about race/gender/income/equity issues and other issues that impact neighborhoods and families
• Parental engagement

A pilot program for 100 Males to College is currently underway in the Springfield Public Schools.

Other communities around the state are also considering the program, which was created following the recommendations of a task force appointed by the Commissioners of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education.

The task force proposed that the Department of Higher Education “make increasing college access, enrollment, retention and success for low-income males, and particularly young, low-income Latino and African American men, an explicit priority for the Commonwealth.”

The task force proposed that the Department of Higher Education “make increasing college access, enrollment, retention and success for low-income males, and particularly young, low-income Latino and African American men, an explicit priority for the Commonwealth.”

Data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shows a significant gap between the percentage of male (74.9 percent) and female (83.1 percent) students in Framingham Public Schools, who go on to attend college.