Increasing the Chances of Reaching Postsecondary Education Linking K-12 and Community College Interventions Mr. Morris Steen, President, North Florida Community College Mr. Clyde Sperring, Human Resources, Suwannee County School District, Live Oak, Florida Dr. Theophilos Mantzanas, Community Initiatives Coordinator, North Florida Community College A Rural Community College Initiative North Florida Community College Project

Barriers to Post-Secondary Educational Access Inequality of neighborhood resources Inequalities in K-12 schools Quality of instructional offerings Quality of teachers Counseling Low expectations and aspirations Lack of peer support

Barriers to Post-Secondary Educational Access Inequalities in familial cultural and social capital Lack of knowledge to promote academic preparation and achievement Lack of knowledge of college processes of application and admission Lack of knowledge of financial costs Lack of knowledge of available financial resource options

Early Intervention as a Response Given the significant barriers to college and the declining numbers of underrepresented students attending college… Early Intervention Programs at K-12 level linking the school districts and programs at the community college can produce Ameliorating Strategies

Key Intervention Strategies in K-12 and College Student-Centered Programs Strengths and weaknesses for the Project School-Centered Programs Strength and weaknesses for the Project

Meeting Common Goals Linking K-12 programs in Suwannee County School District with programs at North Florida Community College Strategies, action plans, and timelines

Suwannee County School District K-12 Level Intervention Strategies Six Core Strategies: After-School programs Access to rigorous curriculum Academic enrichment programs Counseling focused on college Cohort building Parent (and student) workshops for information

Suwannee County School District K-12 Level Interventions Perceived Deficit Neighborhood resources Unequal schools Lack of peer support Unequal family resources Ameliorating Strategies After-school programs Emphasis on teacher certification and college level curriculum High achieving peer groups, special programs with NFCC to create cohorts Workshops for parents on financial aid and scholarships; workshops on postsecondary options; role of parents in academic preparation

NFCC College Level Intervention Strategies Five Core Strategies: Mentoring Academic support Psychosocial support Professional opportunities Financial aid

NFCC (College-Level) Interventions Perceived Deficit Academic Weakness Self-confidence, motivation Career knowledge Financial resources Ameliorating Strategies Summer bridge program, developmental courses, tutors, study skills workshops, learning communities Counseling, peer study/social groups, mentors Service learning, faculty sponsors, research opportunities Work-study opportunities, scholarships and grants

Effectiveness of K-12 and College Level Interventions K-12: Suwannee County School District Interventions College: North Florida Community College Interventions

Q & A Point of Contact: Dr. Theophilos Mantzanas North Florida Community College RCCI Team Leader