ED435383 1999-00-00 Early Intervention

Program and College Partnerships. ERIC

Digest.

ERIC Development Team

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Early Intervention Program and College Partnerships. ERIC Digest...... 1

AT-RISK STUDENTS.......................................................... 2

TYPES OF PROGRAMS...................................................... 2

WHY ARE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS IMPORTANT

FOR..........................................................................3

PROVIDING AN EARLY START............................................. 4

FEDERAL TRIO PROGRAMS................................................4

CONCLUSION.................................................................. 5

REFERENCES.................................................................. 6

ERIC Identifier: ED435383

Publication Date: 1999-00-00

Author: Martin, Sherri Anna

Source: ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education Washington DC.| BBB32577 _

George Washington Univ. Washington DC. Graduate School of Education and Human

Development.

Early Intervention Program and College

Partnerships. ERIC Digest.

ED435383 1999-00-00 Early Intervention Program and College Partnerships. ERIC

Digest.

Page 1 of 7
THIS DIGEST WAS CREATED BY ERIC, THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

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Early intervention partnerships with colleges provide a significant opportunity for

"at-risk" students to have the available resources, funding, curriculum, and guidance to

enter postsecondary education. Beginning as early as kindergarten and progressing

through high school, encouragement for students to enter college and receive a

baccalaureate degree gives "at-risk" students the much needed support and extra

attention they need. Many "at-risk" students need this help to successfully apply, attend,

and graduate from college. Using early intervention strategies: (1) eliminates the

boundaries between schools and colleges, (2) discourages student drop-out, and (3)

gives students hope to pursue entrance into college. Active participation by school

counselors, teachers, school and college administrators, college student support staff,

and faculty generates involvement between schools and colleges but also eases the

transitions from one institution to another.

AT-RISK STUDENTS

The term "at-risk" or "high-risk" students are used to define those students whose

probability of withdrawal from college is above average (Jones & Watson, 1990). These

students, mostly found among the underrepresented in higher education, rate of attrition

is disproportionately higher than the general student population. Therefore, colleges and

universities make special efforts to identify and monitor the admission of these students.

Once admitted, many institutions provide special student support services and

programs in an attempt to retain these students and increase their graduation rates.

Financially, institutions monitor the enrollment of "at-risk" students partly because the

high rates of noncompletion and declines in student population have a direct effect on

the increasing average cost per student (Jones & Watson, 1990). Demographic

characteristics of groups that have been targeted as high-risk by higher education

institutions and scholars have included: racial and ethnic minorities, economically

disadvantaged, persons with disabilities, first generation to attend college, international

students, women (in traditional male fields), non-traditional age students, athletes, and

transfer students.

TYPES OF PROGRAMS

Private: Early intervention programs were first established by philanthropists and private

entities. A Better Chance was created in 1964 by 23 independent schools to focus on

improving the enrollment of minority high school students in academically challenging

public and private schools across the United States (Fenske et al, 1997). One of the

most successful private programs, established by Eugene Lang in 1981, is the I Have A

Dream Foundation (IHAD) which has been established in 63 cities, serving over 13,000

students. IHAD programs are designed to provide academic support, mentors, guidance

counseling, and financial assistance for students to graduate from high school and

pursue employment or higher education. In addition to A Better Chance and the I Have

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Digest.
A Dream Foundation, many other foundations community groups, businesses,

professional, civic and service organizations are also actively involved in the

coordination, planning and funding of early intervention programs.

Federal, State and Local Government Collaborations: Congress established the

National Early Intervention Scholarship Program (NEISP) as part of the 1992

reauthorization of the Higher Education Act that provides funding to states for early

intervention programs which specifically target low-income students. In order for

students to receive financial assistance, students must participate in student support

services, which include: tutoring, mentoring, summer programs, academic advising and

development, and student employment. The 1998 reauthorization of the Higher

Education Act established the GEAR-UP program which will retain most of the

components of NEISP, and in addition, will seek to provide services for lower income

students as early as the 6th grade.

School College Collaborations: University-school outreach partnerships provide

important opportunities where staff, faculty, and administrators of all institutions benefit

by sharing resources and working together to increase the participation of at-risk

students in higher education. An effort to provide outreach services between the

kindergarten, grade school, high school, and college that are continued throughout the

student's academic progression allows for encouragement to pursue a college degree at

every level of educational attainment. An example is the Brainpower Connection, an

ongoing partnership between staff at Incarnate Wood College (San Antonio, TX) and

the local high school, grade school, and kindergarten within the same community. This

project is designed to provide support and encouragement for students (many who will

be first generation college students) to complete high school and enter higher education

(Rose, 1993).

College and University Supported Programs: Once "at-risk" students enter college it is

important that they participate in student support services. There are several

characteristics of successful student support services for "at-risk" students: (1) a

freshman year experience, (2) academic support, (3) student service contacts, (4)

recruitment activities and incentives for participation, (5) dedicated staff and directors,

and (6) an important role on campus (Muraskin, 1997). College and universities sponsor

early intervention programs with many different initiatives and goals for "at-risk"

students, including: (1) increasing the high school graduation rates and college

attendance, (2) increasing the retention rates of these students at their own institutions,

(3) preparing students to pursue particular academic majors and careers, and (4)

encouraging students to attend their institution (Perna, et al, 1998).

WHY ARE EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS

IMPORTANT FOR

MINORITIES?Early intervention programs have played a very important and significant

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ED435383 1999-00-00 Early Intervention Program and College Partnerships. ERIC

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role in providing services particulary for minority youth. As the participation rates of

African-American and Latino students continue to increase, the services that will guide

them towards successful entrance and transition to college life will be key determinants

on student retention. Although there is a significant increase in the higher education of

minorities, this group is predominately concentrated at community colleges with few

transferring into four-year institutions (Brewer, 1990). Also, most minority students (83.7

percent) are still enrolled in lower-cost and public institutions (Wilds & Wilson, 1998).

Early intervention programs can provide college preparation for more African American,

Latino, Asian and Native American students to meet the criteria of the more selective

public flagship and private institutions. These initiatives can also decrease the gaps

between the participation of Whites and minorities and address the lack of

representation of minorities in certain career fields, including mathematics and science.

Early intervention programs are a key element of providing a solid framework to

increase the retention of first-generation, low income minority students. African

American and Latino students are less likely to graduate from college and complete a

four year degree in comparison to White students, especially at predominately White

institutions (Wilds & Wilson, 1998; Brewer, 1990). Therefore, the concern for students of

color in higher education does not stop with access into the institution but continues with

providing the resources to retain these students. By implementing on-going educational

programs and student support services at postsecondary institutions, minority student

concerns and issues in higher education are addressed at an early stage of college

student development.

PROVIDING AN EARLY START

Efforts to provide early college intervention programs initially targeted minority, low

income high school juniors and seniors. Presently, more programs are being

established for students at a younger age (including elementary and middle school).

Many of these students will be first generation college students and will need

preparation and information about higher education.

If the emphasis on attending college starts in grade school, students and families have

more time to prepare to attend college. Students whose parents attended college may

already have the support and guidance from home. Students from higher economic

backgrounds also have the resources available, such as: test preparation courses,

private schooling, summer college enrichment programs, and independent educational

consultants. However, many "at-risk" students have to rely on their schools or outreach

programs to prepare them for post-secondary education. For over three decades,

Federal TRIO programs have provided opportunities for "at-risk" groups from

pre-college level to post-graduate study.

FEDERAL TRIO PROGRAMS

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Digest.
Funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, TRIO programs have been

dedicated to assisting low income, first generation students to overcome class and

social barriers for successful entrance and graduation from college. Two-thirds of the

participants represent both: (1) first generation college students and (2) students from

lower income families (one-third of participants are from either group). Over 2,300 TRIO

projects provided services to 740,550 students in 1999.

"Talent Search" provides academic support, admissions counseling, financial aid and

scholarship assistance for students in grades six through twelve.

"Upward Bound" students receive intensive college preparation through advising,

counseling, instruction and tutoring on college campuses in after-school and summer

programs. They also participate in college admissions activities and workshops.

"Upward Bound Math and Science" students focus on computer technology, science

and math in preparation for college entrance and majors in those areas.

"Veterans Upward Bound" programs provide basic study skills and developmental

courses for military veterans to prepare for higher education. Referrals are made to

other services which provide veterans support including the Veterans Administration,

veteran associations and state and local government agencies.

"Student Support Services" provides tutoring, advising, developmental instruction and

other student services to students who are currently attending college until they earn

their baccalaureate degrees.

"Educational Opportunity Centers" helps adults, including displaced or under-employed

workers, select and apply for postsecondary education and financial aid.

"Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement" programs encourages low income

students and minority undergraduates to pursue a career in college teaching by

providing faculty mentors and research opportunities.

CONCLUSION

Today, several early intervention programs are coordinated and funded by colleges and

universities, community groups, businesses, and other organizations that are committed

to providing opportunity and access of underrepresented and disadvantaged citizens

into higher education. The assistance of government (federal, state and local) in

providing funding, mentor opportunities, employment for students, and other resources

has also been very instrumental in efforts to provide outreach to "at-risk" students

(Fenske, et. al., 1997). These programs have a direct effect on the improvement of high

school performance and completion. Early intervention programs, in helping students

prepare for the competitive college admissions process, have also encouraged and

provided the resources for "at-risk" students to complete high school successfully

(Rose, 1993).

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ED435383 1999-00-00 Early Intervention Program and College Partnerships. ERIC

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REFERENCES

Brewer, Carolyn. (1990). Minority success in college: What works. Minority Student

Success Project. Washington State Board for Community College Education and the

Washington Center for Improving the Quality of Undergraduate Education. ED 345 933.

Fenske, Robert, Gerianos, Christine, Keller Jonathan, & Moore, David. (1997). Early

intervention programs: Opening the door to higher education. ASHE-ERIC Higher

Education Report No 6. Washington, D.C.: The George Washington University, School

of Education and Human Development. ED 412 863.

Jones, Dionne & Watson, Betty Collier. (1990). "High risk" students in higher education:

Future trends. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report No. 3. Washington, D.C.: The

George Washington University, School of Education and Human Development. ED 321

726

Jones, Dionne & Watson, Betty Collier. (1990). "High risk" students and higher

education: Future trends. ERIC Digest. ED 325 033 HE 023 950.

Muraskin, Lana. (1997). Best practices in student support services: A study of five

exemplary sites. Follow up Study on Student Support Services Programs. Rockville,

MD: Westat, Inc.; Washington, D.C.: SMB Economic Research, Inc. ED 411 739.

Perna, Laura, Fenske, Robert, & Swail, Watson Scott. (1999, Fall). An overview of early

intervention programs. Advances in Educational Research.

Rose, Richard. (1993, Spring/Summer). Resources for early intervention strategies:

College and school cooperation in San Antonio. College & University, 68(2), 68-71. EJ

467 218.

Wilds, Deborah, & Wilson, Reginald. (1998). Minorities in higher education. 1997-98

sixteenth annual status report. Washington, DC: American Council on Education, Office

of Minority Concerns.

ERIC digests are in the public domain and may be freely reproduced. This project has

been funded in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of

Educational Research and Improvement, U.S. Department of Education, under the

contract number RR-93-002008. The content of this publication does not necessarily

reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of Education nor does mention of

trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.

Government.

Title: Early Intervention Program and College Partnerships. ERIC Digest.

Document Type: Information Analyses---ERIC Information Analysis Products (IAPs)

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Digest.
(071); Information Analyses---ERIC Digests (Selected) in Full Text (073);

Available From: ERIC Clearinghouse on Higher Education, One Dupont Circle, N.W.,

Suite 630, Washington, DC 20036-1183. Tel: 800-773-3742 (Toll Free); Fax:

202-452-1844.

Descriptors: College School Cooperation, Early Intervention, High Risk Students,

Higher Education, Partnerships in Education

Identifiers: ERIC Digests, TRIO Programs

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