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

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

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 3

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

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

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. 6

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. 7

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.” 8

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.) 9

10 Recap of HEOA on UB/UBMS  No more Absolute Priority!  Allowed to Recruit New 11 th 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 FormVerification of Eligibility & Selection Form  Review IRS/DS Plan & Change as Needed – Plan of OperationPlan of Operation

Review of UB/UBMS Program Standard Objectives 11 PART II

Mandatory Objectives 1.Academic Improvement: ___% of all UB participants, who at the time of entrance into the project had 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. 12

Academic & Supportive Services 1.Academic Improvement (9 th & 10 th 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 13

Mandatory Objectives 3.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. 14

Academic & Supportive Services 3.Postsecondary Enrollment (11 th & 12 th ): 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 12 th Grader College Trip 15

Mandatory Objectives 4.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. 16

Academic & Supportive Services 4.Postsecondary Persistence:  9th Grade: Plan for Concurrent/Dual Enrollment by 12 th 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 17

Academic & Supportive Services 4.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 18

Student Retention & Parental Involvement 19 PART III

Mandatory Objectives 2.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. 20

21 RETENTION CONCERNS Objective #2: Retention

Staff Philosophy Staff Training Student Activities Parental Involvement RELATIONSHIPS….RELATIONSHIPS 22

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

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

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

Objective #2 - Retention Starts During Recruitment of 9 th 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 26

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 27

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 28

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

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

Questions & Answers 31