Each strand will receive direct fiscal support from the Center and a host of support services in an effort to coordinate the project to the larger focus of the Center and support research activities, which validate improvements or refine earlier project outcomes. The Strands are all college-level projects which may be supported directly from the Center or through a number of other sources including Fund for Student Success, Fund for Instructional Improvement, CalWorks, Partnership for Excellence, and many others. As a consortium member, each participating college will adhere to the research agenda and coordination focus of the Center. The findings from one project will be available to all participants and may lead to additional projects in an ongoing effort to refine programs, validate new ideas or strategies and move the field forward based upon solid success data rather than assumptions. A Strand project may be either an existing project or a new project at a college.
Funding is based upon availability of resources and leveraged resources among grants.
Consortium colleges are expected to engage in one or more projects, of varying sizes depending upon the size, demographics and other variables. Coordination between projects and the Center is essential. Dissemination of project findings is key to developing new projects and refining approaches to success. Projects will be required to not only participate in research but to also participate in professional development activities such as conference presentations and workshops. The Strand Projects provide a continuous feed back loop for improvement and refinement of strategies and materials.