U‑46 seeks to expand freshman seminar to all high schools to boost freshmen‑on‑track rates
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Summary
District staff proposed a revised, one‑semester Freshman Seminar course designed to improve first‑year credit attainment and freshmen‑on‑track rates; the course will be credit‑bearing, draw on AVID strategies, and district staff aim to run it at all five high schools in 2025–26.
School District U‑46 presented a revised Freshman Seminar curriculum May 5 designed to support ninth‑grade transitions, build organization and critical‑reading skills, and increase freshmen‑on‑track rates.
Michelle Chapman, director of postsecondary success, and Beth McKinney, coordinator of programs and supports, said the one‑semester elective is credit bearing, available to true freshmen in the first semester and intended to support students not enrolled in AVID or study‑skills electives. The curriculum draws on AVID strategies, Schoolwide Advisory and School Links materials the district already owns; the district plans to offer teacher training beginning this month and additional AVID‑aligned training options over the summer, including site‑based AVID pathway training where available.
Presenters said the goal is to increase freshmen‑on‑track percentages and set an aspirational target of above 95% at each high school, while monitoring outcomes through the assistant principals for freshman success and school teams. The district intends to broaden access: the course has been offered previously at two high schools (Streamwood and Elgin), and staff proposed running it at all five U‑46 high schools in fall 2025.
Why it matters: freshmen‑on‑track is an ISBE measure tied to graduation success; the course aims to standardize transition supports, increase credit attainment and identify students who may need additional intervention. The board did not take a final vote on the course at the May 5 meeting.
