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Student '100 Students' campaign aims to boost college enrollment as district reports steady assessment gains
Summary
Student board representative Samantha Oliver outlined a student-led campaign to add 100 more Oakdale students to four‑year colleges over time; district staff reported steady ELA, math and science gains districtwide with subgroup improvements and noted junior-high declines to address.
Student board representative Samantha Oliver presented a student-organized campaign called '100 Students' that aims to raise college-going rates at Oakdale High School and districtwide. Oliver told the board the campaign’s goal is to increase the number of students attending four‑year colleges by 100 over time and described outreach activities including lunch‑and‑learns, recent-graduate panels, Instagram outreach and junior‑high engagement to build early interest in higher education.
Oliver showed comparative data she said came from UC/CSU and national charts, noting Oakdale’s lower UC matriculation rates (she cited roughly 2–3% to UC campuses and higher rates to CSU schools). Oliver said the club will host panels and events to familiarize students with applications, financial aid and career pathways.
Board members and parents responded with questions and support, while noting the district should continue to emphasize multiple post‑secondary paths (career/technical education and community college) in addition to four‑year enrollment. One parent asked about the source and methodology of a chart Oliver presented; Oliver said she would follow up with specific citations and staff offered to help verify the data.
In a separate presentation, district staff reported SPAC (state/district assessment) results showing 'slow but steady' growth across ELA, math and science between the 2023–25 cohorts and highlighted gains among subgroups (students with disabilities, English learners and socioeconomically disadvantaged students). Staff also noted that junior-high ELA and math dipped this year and outlined plans for targeted improvement. The presentation previewed new SBAC labeling to take effect in 2026 (advanced, proficient, foundational, inconsistent) and staff said they will prepare communications so families understand the change.
Board members praised the student effort and encouraged tracking the campaign’s progress and data; staff agreed to circulate subgroup and chart details for board review.
