The Golden Scholars Bridge Program The Center for Academic Success, Undergraduate Education Vicenta M. Shepard, Reading & Learning Coordinator

Goals for today’s session Miami-Dade County Public Schools and Florida International University Golden Scholars Bridge Program o Collaborating Departments o Components o Duration Findings from tutoring sessions with Golden Scholars Retention Lessons learned

The Demographics 4 th largest school district in the country 48 Public High Schools and Charter Schools 65% Hispanic 25% Black, non-Hispanic 9% White, non-Hispanic 65% of students are on free or reduced lunch 79% of Hispanics graduate high school 69% of Blacks graduate high school 85% of Whites graduate high school 4 th largest school district in the country 48 Public High Schools and Charter Schools 65% Hispanic 25% Black, non-Hispanic 9% White, non-Hispanic 65% of students are on free or reduced lunch 79% of Hispanics graduate high school 69% of Blacks graduate high school 85% of Whites graduate high school One of the largest Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) 50,000 students, 2 main campuses 61% Hispanic 13% Black, non-Hispanic 15% White, non-Hispanic 73% of FIU graduates are from M-DCPS Over 50% of M-DCPS teachers are graduates from FIU Association of Public Land Grant Universities (APLU) 2013 Most Visible Progress Award (MVP) for degree completion (48%) One of the largest Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) 50,000 students, 2 main campuses 61% Hispanic 13% Black, non-Hispanic 15% White, non-Hispanic 73% of FIU graduates are from M-DCPS Over 50% of M-DCPS teachers are graduates from FIU Association of Public Land Grant Universities (APLU) 2013 Most Visible Progress Award (MVP) for degree completion (48%) Miami-Dade County Public Schools

The Education Effect Partnership with M-DCPS, specifically Miami Northwestern High School (MNW) Focus: improving educational outcomes in Liberty City, one of the urban areas of Miami-Dade 6 Initiatives: (1)Create a Financial Literacy and Investment Program in collaboration with College of Business (2)Develop Aquaponics Lab & Organic in collaboration with College of Arts & Sciences, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism (3)Expand Dual Enrollment program (4)Pair service learning with academic learning as FIU and MNW students work together (5)“Panther for a Day” College Visitations (6)Golden Scholars Bridge Program

The Golden Scholars Bridge Program …an alternative admissions program for selected first generation, under-represented students from socio- economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Collaborating Units:  Admissions  Financial Aid  Academic Advising  Housing  Orientation  Center for Academic Success (CfAS)  Multicultural Programs & Services (MPAS) Program Includes:  Tuition  On-Campus Housing  Meals  Books & Fees  Supplies How Many are Admitted?  40 students in each cohort  Currently working with 2 nd cohort

The Golden Scholars Bridge Program Who Are They Academically? Testing Profile  SAT Range: 1230 – 1550 composite score  SAT Verbal:  SAT Analytical:  ACT Range: 16 – 23 composite score  ACT Reading: 16 – 28  ACT Math:  ACT English: Course Profile  Most had a dual enrollment GPA  Most had taken at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course

The Golden Scholars Bridge Program How did they start at FIU? Summer ‘B’ Semester (1) Almost half needed some kind of college prep course  Remedial Math  Remedial Reading  Remedial Writing (2) All needed help in study strategies What Services Were Provided?  Study Skills Intensive  Online reading tutorial  Grammar Intensive  Individual Tutoring Sessions  Paired with an FIU mentor who works in one of the collaborating offices  Workshops in Residence Life

The Golden Scholars Bridge Program What Did We Discover During Tutoring? Frustration o Dual Enrollment and AP courses not reflective of their preparation Metacognition o Unaware of periods without comprehension o Unaware of help-seeking behaviors Communication o Difficulty communicating ideas in the writing process o Mechanics in writing needed to be developed Background Knowledge o Don’t know what they don’t know o Exploration of content with other areas of college experience

The Golden Scholars Bridge Program How are they doing now? Cohort o Summer ‘B’ = 40 students, average GPA 3.42 o Fall, 2012 = 39 students, average GPA 2.41 o Spring, 2013 = 38 students, average GPA 2.31 Cohort o Summer ‘B’ = 44 students, average GPA 3.08 o Fall, 2013 = 35 students, average GPA 2.37 o Spring, 2014 = ___ students, average GPA ______

Lessons Learned… The Golden Scholars Bridge Program

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