In this webinar, leaders of the UChicago Network for College Success and practitioners on the ground discuss how they dramatically increased the number of 9th-grade students—especially Black and Latinx students and students from low-income households—that were on track to high school graduation. The average graduation rate of its students grew from 71% in 2013 to 84% in 2019.

Through a presentation and a panel discussion, NCS leaders and practitioners on the ground share what they did and how they did it, including:

• Applying improvement methods and principles to translate foundational research findings into practical tools and insights
• Iteratively constructing practical theories and measurements into improvement process indicators
• Focusing on variation and redoubling efforts to address disparities
• Designing Freshman Success Teams that operate at the intersection of student supports and high-quality instruction

Presenters and Panelists

PRESENTERS

• Eliza Moeller, Director of Research and Continuous Improvement, Network for College Success, The University of Chicago
• Quinton Keith, Director of Data and Continuous Improvement, Network for College Success, The University of Chicago

PANELISTS

• Adelric McCain, Director of Equity and Impact, Network for College Success, The University of Chicago
• Lauren Perez Pietruszka, Freshman Success Coach, Network for College Success, The University of Chicago
• Heather Pavona, Director of Admissions and On-Track Coordinator, Hancock High School

MODERATOR

• Ash Vasudeva, Vice President, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching