Program Components:

Academic/remedial support

Career counseling/exploration

6201 Winneetka Ave.

Woodland Hills, CA 91371

818-719-6401 ex. 4151

rupertdw@piercecollege.edu

Larry Andre

818-710-2892 ex

andrell@piercecollege.edu

students and English language development students who need additional instruction is reading,

speaking, and writing to reach a college level.

needs and the program is there to meet the needs if possible. The program offers a host of services.

Staff works with the students to develop or negotiate academic and career plans. The plans are based

on a series of assessments, clearly identified goals, and. the principals of scaffolding.

The assessment tools used are the System of Multicultural Pluralistic Assessments (SOMPA).

This system evaluates the students abilities, skills, academic plans, medical and emotional well

being, psychosocial issues (i.e. if they are a nontraditional student, getting a divorce, facing

family resistance etc.), and where in their past have they been successful and what techniques

were used to reach that level of success. The program coordinators ask students to answer the

questions: “Where am I? Where am I going? Where do I want to go?” From the answers to these

questions and assessment tests, a plan is developed with the student that encompasses both life

plans and academic plans.

The program addresses test taking, time management, health care options, learning skill, etc. The

academic work is self-paced, individualized, and begins with the basics so the students do not feel

as though there are gaps in their knowledge.

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student. The program employs three full-time professionals as well as eight tutors.

River, and prescriptive programs designed to track attendance and record skills learned.

Additionally, there is a center with study areas, and cubicles for small group study.

There is a fund set-aside to serve only the career and technical education students. On average,

the program receives $250,000 with five percent being set aside for the CTE students.

well as at high schools in the area, and at the Guadalupe Center. Additionally, alumni frequently

refer to the center and act as word-of-mouth advertisers for the English learner community.

Success breeds success, when the students see the alumni’s success, they can see themselves there

as well.

is set for each student. As the semester progresses the staff and coordinators can check on the

progress made by each student. As each student checks into the computers, a program records

their attendance and academic progress. On average, 500 students are served annually.

faculty who may not believe in the program initially. In the times of lean funding, resistance

from faculty members or programs who are competing for scarce resources can be a problem.

The ELL students who attend the program are quick to feel dismissed. Therefore, it is imperative

to have adequate funding and staffing to serve the students. Additionally, a phone and email

network is necessary to maintain contact with current students as well as make contact with

students who have stopped attending the classes and program.