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COLLEGE
CONNECTIONS
Linking Learning to Life
Burlington, Vermont
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
OF PRACTICE
College Connections offers students from Burlington High School, Burlington Technical
Center and school district alternative programs options for exploring post secondary
education prior to graduation. Students enrolling in the program take college courses
at Community College of Vermont (see NOTE
*),
University of Vermont, Trinity College and Burlington College. While there, students
earn both high school and college credit for successful completion. There is wide
open course selection for students. Guidance is provided to students so that they
may align their course selections with their interests and future career plans. The
program includes an orientation to college studies as well as academic advising and
other supports that students may need. College Connections is offered during after
school hours and is not intended to replace existing high school courses. However,
it is not offered at the high school. These are actual college courses offered in
the college setting, not special classes for the high school students.
PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
The program
was developed by an advisory group of youth, high school and college educators, local
agency representatives and Linking Learning to Life (a STW UROG grantee)
staff. National and local data indicate that students who do not move immediately
into post secondary education tend to delay entry for as much as 10-12 years if they
enroll at all. At the same time, the academic requirements for quality jobs are steadily
increasing. There is also a clear correlation between levels of academic achievement
and earnings. Those without a high school diploma are at a tremendous disadvantage
in the labor market.
Fourteen students enrolled in initial pilot course in summer ’98, and courses have
been offered every semester since the pilot. Courses at the University of Vermont,
Trinity College, Norwich University and other local colleges may also be provided
through College Connections. College Connections is supported in part with grants
from the Nellie Mae and Freeman Foundations.
College Connections is targeted for students with average or above average academic
ability who may not see themselves as college bound, or have barriers to pursuing
a college education. The program is also available to out-of-school youth who are
working toward some form of high school completion.
EVALUATION/MEASUREMENT
The practice itself does not have any tools for measuring outcomes. However,
educators have noted that several students who were unmotivated in their academics
prior to the challenge now see the need to develop good academic practices for future
success.
CONNECTIONS TO VERMONT FRAMEWORK OF STANDARDS AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
College course work is not specifically aligned to the Vermont Framework of Standards
and Learning Opportunities in and of themselves. However, any guidance provided,
which aligns course taking with a student’s career and post secondary plan takes
into consideration the standards that student is attempting to meet.
EVALUATION
Two rounds of focus forums with students have been held sine the inception of
the program. There has been a high level of satisfaction on the part of the students,
especially related to self value. Students indicated that in this setting they felt
that they were being treated as adults with respect. Another indication of satisfaction
has been students’ comments that the College Connections program has clarified their
post secondary plans
Enrollment has increased from 14 students in the ’98 pilot to 63 in the 99-00 school
year. Some of those studetns only take one course. The University of Vermont is conducting
a survey of participants and will issue a summary of the program success in the next
several months (March ‘01).
LESSONS LEARNED
- High school
students have intensely busy schedules and it is very difficult to schedule additional
activities besides course enrollments.
- Students greatly
value the opportunity to participate in the program.
- An important
part of the experience is taking classes on campus with other college students.
- The most difficult
portion of the program to fund are the tuition costs. Linking Learning to Life is
in the process of creating an Individual Development Account with a potential private
match that will assist students with the cost of the course.
CONTACT
(*)
NOTE: To find out more about Community College of Vermont's dual enroment initiatives,
click HERE.
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