BASIC SKILL INITIATIVE REQUEST FOR FUNDS
BSC Mission Statement
Our mission is to improve the retention, persistence, and success of basic skills
students.
Funds used from the Basic Skills Initiative should include one or more of the following:
1. Promote the use of effective practices in developmental education for
administrative, student services, and instructional programs.
2. Provide professional development regarding effective practices in developmental
education.
3. Work with Institutional Research in tracking basic skills students from entry to
completion.
4. Assess and evaluate the programs designed to improve student success.
Complete the form on the page below and email the form as an attachment to
bsc@redwoods.edu.
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BASIC SKILL INITIATIVE REQUEST FOR FUNDS
1. Describe clearly and in detail fund request.
The Educational Dreams Luncheon is an annual event for local youth, which includes
those in foster care, kinship care, protective custody, and/or probation systems.
College of the Redwoods, in collaboration with the Humboldt County Department of
Health and Human Services, Office of Education, Probation Department, Humboldt
State University, and Humboldt County Superior Court judges, offers the Luncheon as
an opportunity for foster youth to become familiar with college culture. During the event,
youth 1) tour the college campus; 2) learn about resources such as financial aid,
residence halls, campus life, academic support, EOPS, DSPS, and others; and 3)
interact with college presidents, judges, other students, faculty, and staff to emphasize
the importance and value of a college education. Former foster youth, who are now
successful college students or graduates, are actively involved in the event as keynote
speakers. HSU and CR college presidents, as well as Humboldt County Superior Court
judges are also involved in the welcome and presentation to the youth. Funds are
requested to purchase materials (supplies, handouts, etc.) and food for approximately
60 people including youth, faculty, staff, and community members.
2. Describe how your proposal supports that Basic Skills Mission Statement.
The Casey Family Programs study, (Higher Education Reform: Incorporating the Needs
of Foster Youth, 2003) reports that barely half of foster youth ever graduate from high
school. Although 70% of foster youth report they would like to attend college, only 7%
to 13% actually enroll in higher education; and only 3% attain a bachelor’s degree. This
is a dismal comparison to the 27% of the general adult population who graduate from a
four-year college or university. Although not representative of all foster youth who
attend College of the Redwoods, since spring 2009, 98% of those supported by specific
EOPS outreach activities have assessed into basic skills math and/or English. In
support of the Basic Skills Mission Statement and Strategic Plan for College of the
Redwoods, with this annual event and continued collaborative outreach throughout the
year, it is our aim to help this high risk population become productive and contributing
members of our community. We are deeply tied to the level of educational success that
each young person achieves. We are firmly committed to providing educational
support, promoting educational advocacy, and providing college access and retention
for foster youth.
3. Describe anticipated expenses (attach another page if necessary).
Items:
School supplies and CR logo merchandise purchased from the CR
Bookstore (pens/pencils, folders, cups, t-shirts)
Lunch purchased from CR Dining Services
Cost:
$100
$200
Humboldt State University and the Department of Health & Human
Services will contribute equal amounts towards total event cost.
Total $300
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4. List faculty and staff involved and/or responsible for the project.
Sheila Hall, Assistant Director EOPS/CARE
Marcy Foster, Special Programs Counselor and Foster Youth Liasion
Cheryl Tucker, Director Special Programs
5. Intended Outcomes (include specific, measurable targets):
Youth will recognize college education as desireable and attainable. Higher education
has recognized the importance of student engagement for years (Astin, 1985;
Chickering, 1974, Kuh, 1981). Incorporating student engagement theories and effective
practices in developmental education, students who are more involved in activities such
as participating in student organizations and interacting with faculty, staff, and other
students become more committed to the institution. Therefore, activities that enhance
the student’s connection to the college will likely increase the student’s retention.
As a result of participating in the Luncheon, youth will also become familiar with the
college campus and available resources. As documented in Basic Skills as a
Foundation for Student Success in CA Community Colleges (Research and Planning
Group for California Community Colleges, 2007), program components such as access
to financial aid and counseling support will be addressed as available resources.
6. Assessment Schedule (specify exactly what you will measure and how you will measure it):
Youth will be given an evaluation (using both qualitative and quantitative measures) at
the end of the event to 1) assess their understanding of college resources, 2) determine
areas of strength and weakeness within the program's activities, and 3) assess if youth
are more likely to attend college after participating in the Educational Dreams
Luncheon.
In collaboration with our community partners and CR Institutional Research, we will
explore the ability to track these youth as they progress through the K-12 education
system and ultimately into higher education through goal completion.
7. Proposed Timeline (provide timeline details for activities):
The Educational Dreams Luncheon is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 7,
2012. Purchases will be made two to three weeks prior to the event. Evaluation will be
concurrently developed during event planning activities.
8. I understand that if granted, Basic Skill funds can only be used for Basic Skill
Students. By Accepting funding for this project, I agree to provide a written and oral
report describing how well intended outcomes were met, the results of the assessment,
and how this information can be used in the future. Projects funded for two semesters
will require a mid-year update as well as a report upon completion. Please note: This is
a one-time allotment of funds. Any future funding is contingent upon the submissions
and granting of a new request and availability of funding.
6. Contact Person: Sheila Hall, 476-4155, sheila-hall@redwoods.edu
7. Date Submitted:
November 1, 2011
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