ASPIRE

  ASPIRE is a program from NC State University that works with High School students in rural areas to help them improve their ACT Scores.  It is not a one shot program.  This program is only for those who are serious and are willing to give it their all.  For the first time we had six who registered for the program.  Over the course of 10 weeks they had homework to do, four practice tests, and spent almost 50 hours taking tests and attending ASPIRE classes.
You may have heard of it, you may not.
  So was all the hard work worth it?  I would say so, over the course of the program students scores improved any where from 1-5 points (we hope that they are able to have a two point increase).  When it came time for the actual test, scores went from 1-11 points higher for ASPIRE students from the first test they took as part of class.  They also had the opportunity to visit NC State University and attend class as well as take a tour today.  It was a great way to cap off this class which just make make the difference in their being able to attend college.
  If you would like to know more about this program please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, at (910) 671-3276 or Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu.  Another ASPIRE Class is planned for this fall.  If you are interest please check out the schedule here, and feel free to fill out a program application for the program.  Those applications can be found on the ASPIRE web site here.