Unstack the Odds: Help All Kids Access College—and Graduate!
by
Joe Rottenborn
Executive Director, Mahoning Valley College Access Program (MVCAP)
by
Joe Rottenborn
Executive Director, Mahoning Valley College Access Program (MVCAP)
16. Access Programs, Part 2
The second trait Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller examined in their literature review of access programs was to Balance academic support with social support. [emphasis in original] As the two writers indicated, “Research has shown that social support is a predictor of college attendance and completion (Perna, 2000). Social support helps students see college as a realistic option.” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 9.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
Schultz and Mueller also commented on the importance of peer support, stating “Students are more likely to plan to attend college if their friends also plan to enroll (Hossler, Schmit, & Vesper, 1999). Strong social networks help support students’ academic and emotional development, which can influence their likelihood of enrolling in college (Cabrera & La Nasa, 2001).” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 9.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
Next, they recognized the role of mentors in college access programs serving underrepresented advisees. They noted: “In addition to peer support, research has shown that mentors play a key supportive role in helping low-income students overcome obstacles and enroll in college (Levine & Nidiffer, 1996).” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 9.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
A third characteristic of college preparation programs reviewed by Schultz and Miller was that such initiatives “Intervene early.” [emphasis in original] As the authors indicated, “Research has shown that it is critical to intervene early in order to facilitate curricular planning. Researchers recommend that programs begin by eighth grade (Perna, 2002), no later than the ninth grade (Corwin et al., 2005), or well before high school (Levine & Nidiffer, 1996) if possible.” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 10.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
In regard to this characteristic of early intervention, Schultz and Miller found that “Almost all of the programs reviewed begin serving students in ninth grade or earlier, and 40 percent of the programs target students prior to entering high school.” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 10.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
Schultz and Mueller also commented on the importance of peer support, stating “Students are more likely to plan to attend college if their friends also plan to enroll (Hossler, Schmit, & Vesper, 1999). Strong social networks help support students’ academic and emotional development, which can influence their likelihood of enrolling in college (Cabrera & La Nasa, 2001).” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 9.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
Next, they recognized the role of mentors in college access programs serving underrepresented advisees. They noted: “In addition to peer support, research has shown that mentors play a key supportive role in helping low-income students overcome obstacles and enroll in college (Levine & Nidiffer, 1996).” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 9.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
A third characteristic of college preparation programs reviewed by Schultz and Miller was that such initiatives “Intervene early.” [emphasis in original] As the authors indicated, “Research has shown that it is critical to intervene early in order to facilitate curricular planning. Researchers recommend that programs begin by eighth grade (Perna, 2002), no later than the ninth grade (Corwin et al., 2005), or well before high school (Levine & Nidiffer, 1996) if possible.” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 10.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
In regard to this characteristic of early intervention, Schultz and Miller found that “Almost all of the programs reviewed begin serving students in ninth grade or earlier, and 40 percent of the programs target students prior to entering high school.” (Jennifer Lee Schultz and Dan Mueller, Effectiveness of programs to improve postsecondary education enrollment and success of underrepresented youth: A literature review, NorthStar Education Finance, November 2006. p. 10.) http://www.mncollegeaccess.org/sites/b862decd-72ee-44b5-80f8-4f0ac42e8716/uploads/NorthstarLitReviewWithoutRICFSum_11-06.pdf
No comments:
Post a Comment