Meet Bonnie Rubenstein, Director of Guidance Counseling, Rochester City School District
Joanne Razzano
Strides can be measured in many small steps.
With the help of innovative programming and the tireless work of school counselors, teachers, administrative staff and the community, the Rochester City School District has been making great strides, measured by several successful milestones.
HESC’s Joe Gorman, manager of school counselor services, talked recently with Bonnie Rubenstein, director of guidance and counseling at the RCSD, about some of the district’s ground-breaking programs that improve student achievement.
Among the notable successes, more students graduated from Rochester city schools in 2007 than any time since New York State began keeping track by its current measures. Forty-eight percent of students who began high school in 2003 graduated in 2007, up from 39 percent in 2006 and 41 percent in 2005.
Engaging students at risk of dropping out is critical to boosting graduation rates. New efforts at the district include transitioning programs to help sixth graders make the jump from elementary to seventh grade and an improved data tracking system enabling real-time analysis of student progress toward meeting graduation requirements so necessary supports can be put in place. Six schools have been designated “Dream Schools” and will receive intensive support to improve and sustain student achievement.
“We still have far to go, but we are on an upward trend in this all-important area,” said Rubenstein. “Our target is a 75 percent graduation rate by 2012, which I am confident we will meet,” she said.
Additionally, school staff and community partners are working hard to create school environments of which everyone can be proud. This summer, Roberto Clemente School No. 8 developed significant strategies to enhance school safety that were recognized by the New York State Education Department -- a testament to the district’s commitment to establishing new, safe and secure learning environments throughout all its schools.
Another of RCSD’s goals is to make sure all students are ready for college.
“Money is not the only roadblock to going to college. Cultural issues can make it a ‘hard sell’ to promote higher education in families that live at or near poverty levels,” Rubenstein noted.
She pointed to the Ready, Set, Go to College partnership between Monroe High School and the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry as one of the district’s preeminent programs to increase the number of high school seniors applying for college.
The program begins in the spring of the student’s junior year. Each participant is paired with a mentor, who will guide the student throughout the year-and-a half program.
Later, during the following fall term, students attend a college application workshop and get help completing college applications.
“In January, we present a financial aid workshop for the students and families and follow up with a special celebration to announce college acceptances,” said Rubenstein.
“We are certainly proud of our ever-growing overall graduation rate, and the astonishing 88 percent of the Ready, Set, Go to College participants who graduate and go on to college,” she added.
HESC can assist school counselors with a wide array of counseling tools including college and career planners, financial aid workshop materials, podcasts and financial literacy training programs, all commercial free – and free of charge. The agency’s Web site is www.hesc.org.
“In this ‘paperless’ day and age, it’s refreshing to have tools and information available to counselors right when they need them,” Rubenstein said.