Structuring a Successful UB & UBMS Program

1. Structuring a Successful UB & UBMS Program Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs 37thAnnual Conference November 16-19, 2008

2. Presenters Elizabeth C. Retamozo, Executive Director Sonya Lopez, Training Director Upward Bound Director, Texas State University NOSOTROS Education Center www.nosotrosedu.org

3. Session Overview Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) Impact on TRIO & UB/UBMS Program Review of Program Standard Objectives Academic & Supportive Services Student Retention & Parental Involvement

4. Presentation Materials • PowerPoint Slide Handouts • Additional Documents & Materials located at: • www.nosotrosedu.org • Go to Resources Page • Register Your Email Address • Click the Presentations & Links Tab • Click SWASAP 2008 UB/UBMS Conference Session

5. PART I Impact of Higher Education Opportunity Act on UB & UB Math/Science

6. HEOA Impact on TRIO • Moves Prior Experience from being regulatory (i.e., defined by ED) to legislative (i.e., defined by Congress). • Extends all grant terms to five years. • Increases minimum program grant to $200,000 • Removes the “in exceptional circumstances” limitation on grant applications from secondary schools. • Creates an appeals process for TRIO applicants involving a re-reading by a second peer review panel.

7. HEOA Impact on TRIO • Instructs the Secretary to “rigorously evaluate the effectiveness” of TRIO programs (including Upward Bound), but mandates that in doing so the Secretary shall not (A) require programs to recruit more students than normal or (B) deny services to eligible students.  • Additionally, in designing an evaluation, the Secretary must consider (A) the burden placed on program participants and institutions and; (B) whether the evaluation meets the standards of institutional review boards.  

8. HEOA Impact on UB/UBMS • Allows grantees to target “students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless children and youths, students who are in foster care or aging out of the foster care system, or other disconnected students.”

9. HEOA Impact on UB & UBMS • Kills the entire Absolute Priority including the evaluation. • Requires that 1/3 of participating students be low-income individuals, first generation college students, or students who are at a high risk for academic failure. • Instructs the Secretary to implement an evaluation of UB by 06/30/10 (See parameters of evaluation methodology on previous slide.)   

10. Recap of HEOA on UB/UBMS • No more Absolute Priority! • Allowed to Recruit New 11th Grader Students - Not Recommended • Eligibility Does Not Mean Automatic Selection! • Define Academic Need & High Risk for Academic Failure (part of 1/3 now) – Verification of Eligibility & Selection Form • Review IRS/DS Plan & Change as Needed – Plan of Operation

11. PART II Review of UB/UBMS Program Standard Objectives

12. Mandatory Objectives Academic Improvement: ___% of all UB participants, who at the time of entrance into the projecthad an expected high school graduation date during the school year, will have achieved at the proficient level during high school on state assessments in reading/language arts and math.

13. Academic & Supportive Services Academic Improvement (9th & 10th Grade): AC – Tutoring in math, science, English, Reading & Foreign Language AC – Monthly Saturdays for College & Cultural Activities/Field Trips AC – Academic Advising via CollegeED Booklets SC – Course Content Based on NCLB Test Objectives. Instructors Develop Lesson Plan with Pre & Post Tests SC – Electives, College Exploration & Leadership Building Activities

14. Mandatory Objectives Postsecondary Enrollment: __% of all UB participants, who at the time of entrance into the project had an expected graduation date during the school year, will enroll in a program of postsecondary education by the fall term immediately following the expected graduation date from high school.

15. Academic & Supportive Services Postsecondary Enrollment (11th & 12th): AC – Tutoring in math, science, English, Reading & Foreign Language AC – Monthly Saturdays for ACT/PSAT/SAT Preparation AC – Academic Advising via CollegeED Booklets SC – Course Content Based on College Entrance Exam Objectives. Instructors Develop Lesson Plan with Pre & Post Tests SC – Electives, College Exploration & Leadership Building Activities. Rising 12th Grader College Trip

16. Mandatory Objectives Postsecondary Persistence: ___% of all UB participants who enrolled in a program of postsecondary education during the fall term immediately following high school graduation will be enrolled for the fall term of the second academic year.

17. Academic & Supportive Services • Postsecondary Persistence: • 9th Grade: • Plan for Concurrent/Dual Enrollment by 12th Grade • Check of HS Diploma Plan for College Enrollment • Begin Working on NCLB (Objective #1) via AY Tutoring & SC Instruction • 10th Grade: • GPA Increase via AY Tutoring • Master NCLB (Objective #1) via SC Instruction

18. Academic & Supportive Services • Postsecondary Persistence: • 11th Grade: • Increase GPA via AY Tutoring • PSAT/SAT/ACT Preparation via SC Instruction from College Professors • 12th Grade: • Enrollment in Honor & AP Courses • Dual Enrollment in HS & College by Spring Semester • Bridge or AP & CLEP Preparation via SC instruction • Referral to SSS asap

19. PART III Student Retention & Parental Involvement

20. Mandatory Objectives Project Retention: ___% of 9th, 10th, and 11th grade project participants served during each school year will continue to participate in the project during the next school year.

21. Objective #2: Retention RETENTION CONCERNS

22. Objective #2: Retention • Staff Philosophy • Staff Training • Student Activities • Parental Involvement RELATIONSHIPS….RELATIONSHIPS

23. Objective #2: Retention • Staff Philosophy: - How to Work with Students & Families - How to Lead Groups - How to Build Lasting Relationships

24. Objective #2: Retention • Staff Training: • Leading During Times of Change • Team Building • Working Effectively with Staff

25. How Do We Change Behavior? Self Concept Cognitive Self Behavior Experience Affective Self-Esteem

26. Objective #2 - Retention • Starts During Recruitment of 9th Graders Only • Parents are Very Involved • Parent/Student Recruitment Mixer • Two Month Probation Period • Students participate in ALL activities • Unpaid Interns (SW & Psychology) • Parent/Student Interview

27. Objective #2: Retention • October Team Building – Low Ropes • Two Staff Telephone Contact • Weekly Staff Meetings to Share Student Info • Parent Fundraising Group – Automatic Enrollment • Staff Attends Students’ Church/Games etc… • TRIO HS Student Organization

28. Objective #2: Retention • Staff Meets with Each Student Weekly • Staff Involved in School Activities • Student Community Involvement • Saturday College Involvement • College for a Day • Parent & Student School Board Presentations • Student Eco-map

29. Objective #2: Retention • Use of Technology • Myspace • Facebook • Text Messages • Staff Contact Parents with Positives & Concerns • Parent Spring Potluck

30. Objective #2: Retention • Empower Parents in Community Events • Use of Alumni • FGSO • Panelist • Banquet Held in November not Summer • 1st Stipend – Only Parents Allowed to Pick-Up • Advisor Discretion

31. Questions & Answers