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What Adult B asic E ducation S tudents S ay A fter V isiting a College C ampus

What Adult B asic E ducation S tudents S ay A fter V isiting a College C ampus. Joan Ford November 15, 2013. Questions. Why is community college an important step? Who are the students experiencing a difficult time transitioning to community college? Why is the transition difficult?

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What Adult B asic E ducation S tudents S ay A fter V isiting a College C ampus

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  1. What Adult Basic Education Students Say After Visiting a College Campus Joan Ford November 15, 2013

  2. Questions • Why is community college an important step? • Who are the students experiencing a difficult time transitioning to community college? • Why is the transition difficult? • How do we help ABE students transition? • What would make transitioning potentially more seamless and more of a reality for students?

  3. Who are the students? • An adult who left K-12 without a diploma • A learner whose second language is English • One of 7,160 people in Massachusetts who passed the GED in 2011 • Someone from an ABE program at a correctional institution, community learning center, workplace education program, or ESL program

  4. In 2012 Massachusetts ESE funded • 21,371 students in 127 programs • 53% between 25-44 years old • 9,638 (45%) employed • 8,081 (38%) parents

  5. Why community college? “In the coming years, jobs requiring at least an associate degree are projected to grow twice as fast as jobs requiring no college experience. We will not fill those jobs - or keep those jobs on our shores – without the training offered by community colleges.” – President Barack Obama

  6. Community Colleges ….. • Access point for almost half of all undergraduates in the United States who begin secondary education coursework • Offer credit and non-credit courses • Financially more affordable than other institutions • Located close to work and home

  7. Transition issues … National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) • Inadequate academic preparation • Financial constraints • Need for strategies to manage work, school, family • Personal and psychological barriers including lack of confidence

  8. Transition issues … Helping Adult Learners Navigate Community College and the Labor Market • Hurdles to applying and enrolling • Difficulty understanding the college system • Inadequate career counseling • Challenges in applying for and obtaining financial aid

  9. Transition issues … Adult Education and Literacy in Community Colleges in Massachusetts Students need help with: • Planning and time management • Note-taking • Listening • College admissions • Financial paperwork • College culture • Navigating the college system

  10. History - College for a Day SABES • Began organizing in 1999 • Several MA community colleges in March • Organizes for students/teacher • Presents students with two mock classes taught by college professors • Activities vary on different campuses • Day and evening programs • Attendance 80 - 250

  11. Student Survey – 2013Bristol Community College Please let us know about your experience at Bristol Community College's (BCC) College for a Day. • Who is your teacher/advisor? * • Which adult education program do you attend? * • What is your impression of the BCC personnel (President …, Dean …, etc.) who shared information? * Very helpful/interesting Helpful/interesting Somewhat helpful/interesting Not helpful/interesting at all

  12. Student Survey … • What did you think of the campus tour? *   Very interesting/helpful Interesting/helpful   Somewhat interesting/helpful   Not interesting/helpful • Which college class did you attend? *(Choose one class here.) Writing - Mr. … Math - Mr. … Science (Biology) - Ms. … Psychology - Ms. …

  13. Student Survey … • Which other college class did you attend? *(Choose one class here.)   Crime Scene Investigation - Mr. … Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) – Ms. … Criminal Justice - Mr. … Computer Applications - Mr. … • What were the most memorable moments of your college classes? • What surprised you the most about today? • Prior to today, did you imagine yourself attending college? * Yes No Thought about it, but didn't really think I would. 

  14. Student Survey … • Now that you have attended College for a Day, can you imagine yourself attending college? *   Yes Maybe  No Other:  • Would you recommend College for a Day to other students? *  Yes  No  Maybe • Please share anything you think will be helpful to us when we plan for next year.

  15. Student Responses • “I liked the math class. I liked the technique that MrL… used to illustrate the methods to find solutions rapidly.” • “I really enjoyed the Psycology class, I felt like I belong in that class.” • “The teacher taught us in a very clear manner, and I understood it which surprized me.” • “Criminal Justice class was very informative and i learned something new about how crime rates are determined.” • “When Mr. G… was talking about things that really happened to me when I was reading. He told me that when I warm up my brain, I will be able to retain better.”

  16. Student Responses • “It felt like the first day of college! I was anxious but then felt comfortable!” • “The most memorable moments was having the opportunity to be a student and interact with the teachers as a student up on the college level. But also, the chance to be in class with other new students.” • “I was surprised that I was attending College for a Day.” • “I thought the library facilities were fantastic.”

  17. Student Responses • “ilike the way the math teacher tryed to show a faster way of thinking” • “In the nursing class, i liked how we got to see what it would be like if we couldn't see, hear, or touch.” • “I enjoyed the class it was very informative for that one hour or so. I would like to know more about CNA.” • “It was very nice to be there and be able to ask questions.” • “I liked the manner that MsG… explained her material and she let me do the experiment on DNA (extracting DNA from strawberries). I really am interested in attending her class in the fall.”

  18. Student Responses • “The only thing that really surprised me for college for a day was that I didn’t even know there were a lot of G.E.D. students and not just from Taunton I was amazed and thought it was great that all over the cities that we all got together for just one day and to see what it was like to be in college.” • “how friendly and comfortable it was to be there” • “The fact that BCC helped us understand that it is very important to take our goal seriously.”

  19. Student Reponses - Overall • Hands-on activities • Study skills activities • Number of available opportunities including non-credit courses • “Interesting” “Informative” “Great experience” • More time on campus

  20. Prior to today, did you imagine yourself attending college?

  21. Now that you have attended College for a Day, can you imagine yourself attending college?

  22. Nicola – GED Graduate Class of 2012 Nicola came to America from Jamaica to pursue her dream for her future. Nicola began her Career in BCC’s Adult Basic Education and quickly proved to be a shining star. She was selected to be a speaker at her GED Commencement in June of 2012 and has since moved on to BCC’s Business Administration Program where she is currently pursuing her degree.Nicola was awarded the Student Achievement Scholarship Award by the Massachusetts Women in Higher Education at the Spring 2013 Conference. She has served the College’s NEASX Committee for reaccreditation and received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her volunteer work through the Civic Engagement Program.Nicola is currently a student worker at BCC’s Workforce Education Institute where she is known for her signature smile and where she is always ready to offer help and encouragement to the students in the program.

  23. Stephen - 2013 GED Graduate Stephen was born in St. Lucia, a small Caribbean island where he attended school a total of three weeks as a child. He came to the United States in 2002 and enrolled in the Taunton Public Schools/Bristol Community College Adult Education Partnership. When he began his studies at TPS/BCC, he could not read.Since that time he has obtained his GED, completed two semesters in the Step Up to College Program, started his own radio talk show and was elected president of the Debate Club at Bristol Community College. Currently, Stephen is working towards a degree in Communication at Bristol Community College.

  24. Discussion Questions • What do the student comments reveal about their readiness to attend college? • What are the barriers our student experience when trying to access community college? • How does the student feedback increase our awareness of college readiness? • How does one day on a college campus address the key challenges for adult learners transitioning to college? • How do we integrate college and career guidance into adult basic education programs?

  25. Contact Information Joan Ford Curriculum, Assessment, & Reading Coordinator SABES - Bristol Community College Office: 1082 Davol Street Mail: 777 Elsbree Street – Building Q Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 774-357-2190 joan.ford@bristolcc.edu

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