Structured Study Hall Days at College Campus by UB Students. Wichita State University (KS) (approved Promising Practice10/20/13) The Communication Upward Bound’s (CUB) model supports high school student success through a variety of carefully coordinated activities. One of them is “Study Hall Days”, a structured study hall hosted on the Wichita State University campus when public school classes are not in session. Most high school students remain at home or only come to the school for athletic team practices when school officials have in-service days for staff development or professional meetings. Research studies document the adverse effects this interruption on their learning. The CUB model of Study Hall Days creates an activity-rich learning environment for them. Several activities include: (1) use of supplemental curriculum materials to deepen understanding of current topics in their classes including use of the ComFit Online Learning Center, (2) private tutorial sessions with CUB tutors and staff members, (3) practice on time management and metacognitive skills to strengthen their development as autonomous learners and proficiency with self-directed learning, (4) attendance of college classes related to their future academic majors, (5) interactions with college faculty members and students, and (6) preparing for college entrance and course placement assessments. These activities groom participants to higher success in high school and college. [Click on this link to download this best education practice.]
Best Education Practice: Tutoring College Students with Disabilities
Tutoring for Students with Disabilities. Wichita State Univesity (KS) (approved Promising Practice 10/15/13) Taken from the abstract: "TRIO DSS tutors are trained to work with students with disabilities, whether the disability is physical, psychological, neurological, or other. Their training includes specific workshops on different types of disabilities and how to work with students with disabilities in individual situations. Tutors are given the student’s learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or a combination) and work with a student’s learning style, adapting their tutoring methods to match the student’s learning methods. The tutoring program model of student academic support is designed to assist students with disabilities at the college level pass courses in which they face academic hardship due to their disabilities, and to help them move forward toward their goal of a four-year degree while experiencing new and innovative learning strategies". [Click on this web link to download the education practice.]
Best Educatiion Practice: Summer Program Curriculum for Middle School Students
Summer Program Curriculum for Middle School Students. Wichita State University (KS) (approved Promising Practice 9/25/13) Taken from the abstract: "The Summer Enrichment Program (SEP) is designed to assist students in improving learning skills and provide college awareness while they develop a sense of achievement by knowledge and motivation. The goals of the SEP is to 1) prepare students for postsecondary education; 2) improve students' attitudes toward learning and education in general; and 3) reduce learning loss that some students experience during summer vacation. Research has shown that students' skills and knowledge often deteriorate during the summer months, with low-income students facing the largest losses. Instruction during the summer has the potential to stop these losses and propel students toward higher achievement." [Click on this web link to download the education practice.]
Best Education Practice: Planning Effective College Tours for High School Students
Planning Effective College Tours for High School Students. Wichita State University (KS) (approved Promising Practice 9/25/13) Taken from the abstract: "Conducting college campus visits for aspiring postsecondary students is a common practice for many high school-to-college bridge programs. The approach taken by the Communications Upward Bound (CUB) program at Wichita State University has developed an effective means to make this process highly efficient and effective for its’ students. Rather than accepting the standard campus visit program by the host college that all visiting colleges experience, the CUB programs works collaboratively with the institution to customize the experience based on the needs and interests of the students. This approach has increased student interest and engagement in comparison to previous years when the campus visits were not differentiated and customized." [Click on this web link to download the education practice.]
Best Education Practice: Right Start to College Seminar for Adult Learners
Right Start to College Seminar for Adult Learners. Wichita State University (KS) (approved Promising Practice 10/15/13) Taken from the abstract: "One of the services EOC provides to adults entering college is The Right Start to College 101 Seminar (Right Start). It introduces attendees to the culture of college, its barriers for many adult students, and how to maximize their life experiences for success in the college environment. The seminar also helps them assess their current strengths and apply them to college. The Right Start approach is an adaptation of a traditional College Success Program to serve effectively first generation/limited income adults participating in the Wichita State University (WSU) TRIO EOC program for adult college students". [Click on this web link to download the educaiton practice.]
Best Education Practice: College Visit for High School Students with Disabilities
Access College Today Program. Wichita State University (KS) (approved Promising Practice 9/25/13) Taken from the abstract: "The Access College Today program provides students with disabilities, in their junior or senior year of high school, a customized field trip to Wichita State University where they learn what they need to do for successful transition from high school to a postsecondary institution with special attention to the needs of students with their needs. This approach is unique among the common campus tour offered by most colleges for similar students. The goals of the ACT program: 1) expose high school students with disabilities to a four-year university, 2) learn what is required to be admitted to college, 3) learn about financial resources available to eligible students for college, 4) learn of services available to them at the university based on their needs as a student with a disability, and 5) meet current or former college students and learn of their experiences at college." [Click on this web link to download the education practice.]
Voices of TRiO Students at the Univ. of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio hosts seven of the federally-funded TRiO programs. Listen to the stories of the students that participate in them why they are important and how it makes a difference for them, their families, and communities.