Early Academic Outreach Program
The Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) was established in 1976 by the University of California (UC) in response to the State Legislature's recommendation to expand post-secondary opportunities to all of California's students, including those who are first-generation, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and English-language learners. As UC's largest academic preparation program, EAOP assists middle and high school students with academic preparation, admissions requirements, and financial aid requirements for higher education. The program designs and provides services to foster students' academic development, and delivers those services in partnership with other academic preparation programs, schools , other higher education institutions and community/industry partners. The program's goal of increased access for educationally disadvantaged students to the University of California is grounded in the philosophy that preparing for success in college is not simply one of many options for young people; it is their right. Mission. EAOP contributes to the University of California's Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships (SAPEP) mission to raise student achievement and close achievement gaps. The vision of UC's SAPEP programs is to strengthen California's educational system in ways that will promote a vibrant economy by building a highly  skilled and creative workforce. Method. EAOP employs four key program services—academic enrichment, entrance exam preparation, academic advising, and college knowledge—to help students in schools with low college-going rates attain college eligibility and attend college. School partnership models. EAOP provides services to middle and high schools through two service models: cohort and whole school. Scope. EAOP is the largest UC academic preparation program. The program has offices located on every UC campus and the campuses serve schools within their geographic regions. In the 2006–07 academic year, EAOP served over 42,492 students in the cohort program alone. That year , EAOP served 259 high schools and 131 middle schools in both cohort and whole-school partner models. EAOP further reached over 9,000 families in workshops, college visits and family events. Student population. The purpose of EAOP is to increase the number of students who have the opportunity to achieve a post-secondary education. Outcomes. Research shows that EAOP students are more prepared for college than students who do not participate in the program. Independent academic studies and evaluations conducted for California's state legislature show that EAOP students surpass students statewide in terms of coursework and exam completion, UC eligibility , college enrollment and college persistence. For example: