A Statewide Examination of College Access Services and Resources in Virginia
Author: Alleman, Nathan F.
Date: 2009-11-00
Type: Reports - Evaluative
Subjects: Higher Education,Access to Education,Program Development,Geographic Distribution,Position Papers,Grants,Alignment (Education),Transitional Programs,Needs Assessment,Information Dissemination,Disproportionate Representation,Educational Research,Low Income Groups,Limited English Speaking,First Generation College Students,Ethnic Groups,Minority Groups,Graduation Rate,Dropout Rate,College Attendance,Academic Achievement,College Applicants,Interviews,Standardized Tests,Coaching (Performance),Career Development,Resources

In the summer of 2008, the Commonwealth of Virginia was awarded a $1.1 million grant  from the U. S. Department of Education. The College Access Challenge Grant Program  (CACGP) is coordinated through the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The focus of the grant is to increase student access to postsecondary education, specifically underrepresented students. This study (the Access Study) has been conducted to determine what need (if any and in which locations, statewide) exists for access services, programs, and providers in the Commonwealth. Presently, Virginia has no formal state-level coordination of independent access-provider organizations. The aim of this study is to be both descriptive and prescriptive. This study will illustrate the resources (including targeted services and programs) available throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia through statistics, maps, figures, and case-narratives. In comparison with pertinent state and regional data and current research in the college access field, this study will also highlight areas (both geographic and strategic) where progress is occurring, and areas that represent ongoing college access challenges. Specifically, the study sought answers to five descriptive provider questions: (1) What is an appropriate definition of a college access provider in Virginia? (2) What types of college access providers work in Virginia? (3) Who are the college access providers working in Virginia? (4) Where, in terms of geographic distribution, are college access provider organizations in Virginia? and (5) What services and activities do Virginia access providers deliver? The study also sought answers to four evaluative and comparative questions: (1) What are the most significant college access needs in Virginia? (2) What is the geographical distribution of the most significant access needs in Virginia? (3) How do college access resources and college access needs in Virginia align: where are the areas of unmet need, of challenge, and of success? and (4) What can we learn about the challenges, obstacles, and victories of current access providers that may help inform and direct support for current and future access provider activities in the Commonwealth? Six recommendations are presented, based on two broad themes: (1) That accurate information, contextual knowledge, and timely responsiveness are paramount in providing college access information, services, and programs and; (2) That improved data, coordination, and support at the state level will improve the efficacy of access providers in the Commonwealth. Appendices provide technical information for the findings that are reported. (Contains 4 tables, 3 figures, 11 maps, and 18 footnotes.) [This project was funded by the College Access Challenge Grant Program, which is coordinated through the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.]