1 Dunham Early College Academy Dual Credit Model for College Readiness

2 Partnerships within the Community 1.1 million dollar grant from the Dunham Fund Academy set up Tuition and books Laptops “Dunham Difference” East and West Aurora High Schools 25 students from each high school Recruitment of students for program Waubonsee Community College (WCC) Location of Academy at the downtown Aurora Campus WCC Instructors WCC support services

3 Dunham Early College Academy Scholars Under-served Population Under-represented in higher education First generation college students Low income families Enter Academy as Juniors Must have a 10 th grade reading level Junior Cohort 32% White, 56% Latino, 6% Black, 6% Other Junior Cohort 16% White, 65% Latino, 16% Black, 3% Asian Students do not have a G.P.A. requirement to enter program

4 Dual Credit Classes Cohort (total of 24 college credit hours) Junior Year (12 college credit hours) >Fall 2007: COM 100 Speech & HIS 121 US History until 1865 >Spring 2008: PHL 110 Critical Thinking & HIS 122 US History after 1865 Senior Year (12 college credit hours) >Fall 2008: ENG 101 Composition 1 & HUM 102 Global Villages >Spring 2009: ENG 102 Composition 2 & ENG 215 American Literature

5 Dual Credit Classes cont Cohort (total of 24 college credit hours) Junior Year (12 college credit hours) >Fall 2008: COM 100 Speech & PSY 100 Intro to Psychology or PSC 100 American Govt. >Spring 2009: PHL 110 Critical Thinking & PSY 100 Intro to Psychology or PSC 100 American Govt. Senior Year (12 college credit hours) >Fall 2009: ENG 101 Composition 1 & HUM 102 Global Villages >Spring 2010: ENG 102 Composition 2 & ENG 215 American Literature

6 Dunham Difference = College Readiness College Skill Workshops Note taking, text book reading, test taking, etc… Career Counseling Testing Personalized counseling sessions with student and parent Dedicated Dunham Academy support staff person Life Skill Workshops Fiscal Literacy, Civic Duty, Leadership and Peer Mentoring Laptops Specialized training in MS Office software Can keep laptop after Academy completion & High School graduation Instructors Waubonsee Community College Instructors Both full-time and adjunct Instructors dedicated to the program

7 The First Year Outcomes Thirty-eight (38) of 50 earned the full 12 college credit hours. Dunham Academy Scholars earned a higher percentage of satisfactory grades (C or higher) as compared to the overall WCC student population. 95% vs. 71% in fall & 83% vs. 73% in spring COMPASS Placement exam scores from spring 2007 to spring 2008 resulted in a decrease of the need to take developmental English from 60% to 35%. Development of a sense of community with students from rival high schools.

8 Student’s Experience “I’m a minority. I do not want to be another statistic. The privilege to earn a college education has turned into an honor. The Dunham Early College Academy has given me a reason to believe I can go to college!” Mayra Almeraz (East Aurora) “I think it has made me realize my full potential.” Ryan Ward (West Aurora) “It has made me a better student because it has made me care about school and makes me want to do good in school.” Lisa Ann Partipilo (West Aurora) “The Dunham Early College Academy has given me more real life experience, has made me more mature and preparing me for college.” Mykle Warren. (West Aurora)