Noncredit Basic Skills: Finding the Pipeline to a Better Future “A Pipeline from Noncredit Adult High School Diploma Programs to College” ASCCC Spring 2008 Plenary Session Presenter: Mary Foster North Orange County CCD-Noncredit School of Continuing Education

“Adult College Entry” ACE Partnership at North Orange County Community College District between… School of Continuing Education (SCE) AND Cypress College Fullerton College

SCE Adult High School Diploma Program 3 HS Labs: Cypress, Anaheim, Fullerton 3 FT faculty; 10 PT faculty, 1 Manager 2 Noncredit counselors Self-paced individualized learning GED preparation : 285 Adult HS Dip. Graduates Adult High School Graduation Ceremony

SCE Adult HS Demographics Adult HS enrollment 2,230 in Age 17-30: 46% 31-54: 25% 55-75: 12% etc Gender Males: 39% Females: 61% Ethnicity Hispanic 33% White 25% Asian or Pacific Islander 17% Black 3% Other or unknown 22%

History Observed Adult High School graduates not continuing their education to post- secondary education or training. Researched non-traditional transitional programs Established advisory team between SCE, Cypress and Fullerton Colleges in Sept 2006 Advisory team composition: Counselors, Faculty, Coordinators, Deans Advisory Team meets every 4-6 weeks

ACE Program Components Complete adult high school diploma Enroll in a college study skills class Attend special workshops featuring Learning styles Career Awareness Campus tours Time management Financial aid Customized topics to meet student requests

Marketing Announcements in Adult HS classes Signs and posters: $ emphasis Teacher referrals Counselor referrals Peer referrals Lots of follow-up

Results Cohort 1: Pilot with 4 students in Spring 2007 Fall 2007 enrolled in Fullerton & Cypress Colleges Cohort 2: 8 students in Fall 2007 Spring 2008 enrolled in Cypress and Santa Ana College Cohort 3: 9 students currently in Spring 2008

Retention affected by: Personal issues Finances Work and job changes Child Care Illness Transportation Scheduling Conflicts

Lessons Learned Build the value of continuing education Announce close to semester beginning Minimum credits to completion of diploma for acceptance into ACE program Lots and Lots of follow-up Multiple student barriers addressed

Program Revisions Offer required study skills class as part of diploma program Summer workshops Minimal credits needed to complete High School Diploma before entering ACE. College placement test

Challenges Broaden student awareness of options Address student barriers Overcome student barriers Increase buy-in from colleges Funding

Growing support for ACE Project! Awareness growing about potential “pipeline” between noncredit basic skills and college BSI monies help fund ACE Coordinator and other needs BSI Phase III supports research for effective practices for transitions from noncredit to credit

Other Transitional Programs New England ACE-to-College Transition project launched (2000-present) 25 programs in 6 New England states San Jacinto Adult Learning Center-- El Paso, TX started (2007) Career, college, academic & personal readiness ABE Transition Program at Rio Salado College—Phoenix, AZ (1998 to present)

Resources: :”To Ensure America’s Future: Building a National Opportunity System for Adults: Strengthening Links Between Adult Education and Community Colleges”,

Could a program like ACE be useful at your college? Contact Information: Mary Foster Project Manager for ACE ext George Dooley SCE Counselor