Title: Summer College Readiness Program (SCRP)
College: College of San Mateo
1700 W. Hillsdale Blvd., San Mateo Ca 94402
College Contact:
Danita L.
Scott-Taylor, Director Student Support Services, 650-574-6155 or
scott@smccd.net
Ruth Turner, EOPS Coordinator/Counselor, 650-574-6154 orturner@smccd.net
Target population:
The Summer College
Readiness Program targets graduating high school seniors who
demonstrate possible eligibility for EOPS* program services. High
school personnel contact students who have less than a 2.5 grade
point average and/or students who participate in the school lunch
program; and are or may be interested in enrolling at College of San
Mateo. EOPS serves low-income, often first generation [college]
students, who are academically under prepared; and/or are ESL.
Students must meet income and educational criteria.
Goals: The program
seeks to assist students in visualizing themselves as college
students and address barriers to their participation in college.
SCRP seeks to give students a sense of belongingness, introduce them
to the community college system including educational goals, campus
resources including financial aid, how to read class schedules and
campus catalogues, as well as improve study skills.
Description:
The Summer College
Readiness Program was named after its predecessor, the College
Readiness Program (which gave rise to EOPS statewide). The Summer
College Readiness Program provides an intensive seven-day
orientation to CSM for twenty-five incoming freshmen. Each day is
designated for specific activities:
Introduction;
Community Colleges (CSM); Course Planning (students develop an
educational plan with a counselor); Transfer; College
Class/Financial Aid; Study Skills; and a University Tour. Students
meet 9 a.m. to noon, with the exception of the College Tour day that
ends at 5 p.m. A continental breakfast is served each morning. On
the final day students are given a certificate of completion and a
backpack filled with supplies. . The program generally runs the week
after high school classes end.
Staffing:
The practice has
two Program Services Coordinators (classified positions), and 1-2
student assistants. On the day that students develop an educational
plan with a counselor, four counselors participate. All activities
are under the direction of EOPS Director and/or Coordinator.
Facilities, equipment, materials:
Materials include: an application and program syllabus, orientation
materials (schedule, catalog, handouts etc.), backpacks and school
supplies, and certificates.. The program uses a standard classroom
and provides food for the continental breakfast. A bus and/or vans
are needed for the university tour, along with liability release
waivers.
Costs, funding source:
The program costs $11,500. It is currently funded out of the EOPS
budget. It was previously funded through a campus Partnership for
Excellence grant that now defunct.
Outreach and marketing:
The CSM EOPS Preview Day, which is described as a separate effective
practice in this document, serves as a recruitment event for the
Summer College Readiness Program. Preview Day participants who
express an interest in SCRP receive follow up phone calls and
assistance in completing the SCRP application is necessary.
Evidence of effectiveness:
Effectiveness is determined by an annual student satisfaction
survey. They also track the number of SCRP participants who persist,
enroll at CSM for fall semester, and/or successfully apply for EOPS
services. Beginning 2005 the program will use pre/post tests to
access student learning outcomes for the event.
Suggestions for replication:
Recruit early. One strategy is to look at Board of Governors Grant
applicants and placement test data. Handout program literature at
freshmen orientations, use high school contacts to identify possible
students. Consider inviting parents for a program orientation.