6500 Soquel Drive

Aptos, CA 95003

831-477-5166

diego@cabrillo.edu

postsecondary education and high wage – high demand knowledge-based occupations (information

technology, engineering technology, nursing, radiology, biotechnology, etc.) Students range from

17-55 years old (average 21); 95% are Latino, 95% are low or very low income, more than 65% are

second language learners, and more than 50% are women. General characteristics of at-risk

Low or very low income, First in family to go to college. High-Risk students have the at-risk

characteristics plus one or more of the following: Out of school youth, Homeless, High school

dropout, Gang member/entrant into the criminal justice system, Participant in drug/alcohol

programs, Victim of child abuse/domestic violence, Entrant into foster care/child protective

services.

compete for and enter high wage-high demand, knowledge-based occupations.

skills class is offered to students with low assessment scores). Students first attend a 2-week, 40 hours

per week Foundation Course that orients them to the postsecondary learning environment and their own

learning styles, and “Lights the Fire” for motivated learning. Graduates then enroll in a Bridge

Academy Semester – an integrated 16 units in computer systems, English, digital management, career planning,

and student competency with the focus on accelerating students to the college-level in one

semester. At the end of the semester, students successfully completing their coursework move into the

College’s regular courses, with the addition of a work-based experience (internship) and a one-unit

Digital Bridge Academy course in executive skills and knowledge.

A summer 2005 professional development workshop for community college faculty and administrators

will take place. Participants will receive information on the program's history, research results,

framework, methodology, curriculum, and evaluative strategies.

12

Packard, National Science Foundation). VTEA funding was used for recruiting to out-of-school youth.

FTE funding starting in 2005-06 will cover teaching.

assistance, workforce investment boards/one-sTop, juvenile/criminal justice), high schools,

neighborhood computer labs, community-based organizations, job fairs, and college counseling.

of 03), with 92% of students classified as high-risk, 100% successfully completed the pilot courses.

Four cohorts starting in the Fall 03 have enrolled in the combined Foundation Course and Bridge

Academy Semester, with 83% of the students completing these courses. Over 94% of the students who

have completed the Bridge Semester are still in college. The most current cohort of students (Spring 05)

is comprised of 100% at-risk, 75% high-risk, and over 50% out-of-school students. The project’s

evaluation report is available (contact Diego Navarro).

performance needed for high wage - high demand occupations.

• Connect students to the workforce and teach them related skills such as how to work in self-managed

teams, lead, work effectively and efficiently, and how to plan projects and programs.

• Use the resources and frameworks of the Digital Bridge Academy. Enroll in the professional

development summer 05 workshops for administrators and faculty members. For more information and