Student Development Services
Annual Report 2004 – 2005
UPWARD BOUND
MISSION STATEMENT
Upward Bound, in collaboration with families, schools and other invested partners, will increase
high school students’ access to higher education by providing individualized services that support
higher academic achievement and successful entry into a post-secondary institution.
STAFF MEMBERS
Yon Fisher, Office Assistant; Addy Heckert, Student Success Specialist; Melissa Uyesugi,
Student Success Specialist; Kellie Nakano, Director
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 2004-2005 The following covers the 04-05 SMART Objective and 0304 grant objectives. Since the grant period is from September 1-August 31, 04-05 data was not
yet available for this report.
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Smart Objective
Objective 1: To develop and maintain an Upward Bound website to increase access to Upward
Bound program information by receiving a minimum of 50 hits per quarter. Outcome: The
website was completed in March 2005. Initially, the website was not developed to count the
number of “hits” received. The feature is being added to the website and the program will begin to
determine the number of visitors to the site each month. The intention of the website is to serve
as an additional resource for students, potential participants, family members and other
stakeholders. The website offers visitors information regarding the application process, detailed
descriptions of services, and student resources such as college planning checklists and
terminology. Since parents are important to a student’s success, there are also parent resources
such as tips on supporting their child and pre-college information. It is expected that the website
will promote greater awareness of NSCC Upward Bound and allow program information to be
more accessible to those interested.
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Grant Objectives
Objective 1: 100% of 67 students will participate in a comprehensive needs assessment to
determine academic, personal, and social needs within 20 working days of admission. Outcome:
The program served 86 students from four target schools. 100% of students took part in a
comprehensive needs assessment. The assessment included the ITED (Iowa Test of Educational
Development), WASL (Washington Assessment of Student Learning), academic histories, as well
as teacher and counselor recommendations. The assessment process is used to develop an
individualized education plan that guides the services and support that the student will receive.
Objective 2: Students will receive academic instruction, tutoring assistance and other support
with a minimum of 60% of students demonstrating a .10 grade increase in GPA as demonstrated
by a comparison of GPAs at the start and end of the year. Outcome: For the 86 students served,
the program offered services designed to improve a student’s performance. Due to a significant
number of higher risk students enrolled, only 49% of students demonstrated an increase in GPA.
Objective 3: Students will receive regular, consistent, and individualized program services with
a minimum of 75% of 67 students served will be retained in the program until graduation from
high school. Outcome: Eighty-one percent of 86 students were retained and provided with
services. Of those students served, 76% of students were both low-income and first generation.
The remaining 24% of students met one of the two criteria. Also, as specified in the grant, 47% of
students were considered “higher risk.”
North Seattle Community College
SDS Annual Report 2004-2005
Objective 4: A minimum of 80% of students will enroll in a post secondary program of study
each year as a result of receiving college preparation. Outcome: Twenty-two students graduated
from the program. Of those students, 81% enrolled in a program of postsecondary education. Ten
students enrolled in 4-year institutions with the remaining 8 students choosing to attend 2-year
community colleges. To support post secondary enrollment, the program conducted Senior
Sessions each week throughout the year.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR
After School Sessions From September to June, the program delivered services directly to
students in their high schools. Twice a week at each school, students gathered for after school
sessions. One session each week was a study/tutoring session to provide students with
dedicated study time. The second session was a skill-building workshop. Topics included college
exploration, job search skills, SAT prep or study skills. These sessions also allow staff to maintain
regular contact with students.
Field Trips and Cultural Events This year’s field trips included college tours/fairs,
community service projects as well as recreational activities such as rock climbing and iceskating.
Parent Support The program places a high priority on family involvement activities to nurture
the parent/guardian’s investment in a student’s academic achievement. Parent activities include
Family Nights, resource searches, academic/attendance progress reports and parent/guardian
conferences.
Summer Academy To prepare for college, UB students gathered on the NSCC campus for
intensive instruction in math, language arts, science and foreign language during a 7-week
Summer Academy. The goals of the Summer Academy include:
 Offer rigorous academic classes to enhance students’ existing skills and learn new
proficiencies in math, science, foreign language, composition and literature;
 Allow students to maintain academic skills over the summer months;
 Create opportunities to earn academic credit for classes successfully completed;
 Explore new cultural, personal and academic experiences through field trips, experiential
activities and travel; and
 Experience a simulation of college life by utilizing NSCC facilities and offer the chance to
interact with and observe college students.
The Summer Academy concluded with a travel experience to San Francisco. The trip included a
city tour, trip to Alcatraz, theatre performance of the Lion King, a day at Six Flags, campus tour of
UC Berkeley and a stay at University of San Francisco to gain first-hand experience with living on
a college campus.
Summer Bridge To ease the transition from high school to college, UB graduates enroll for a
summer quarter at NSCC. Tuition and books are covered by the program.
Summer Work Experience Summer Work Experience provides UB students with hands-on
exposure to careers. For 5 weeks, up to 23 students are placed in work sites to develop career
skills and gain experience in a field of interest.
Newsletter Upward Bound’s newsletter, Bound 4 Success, was published 5 times during the
year. The newsletter contained important program and college planning dates, valuable
resources for parents and students, program updates and events, articles featuring our students,
and profiles of various colleges and universities.
North Seattle Community College
SDS Annual Report 2004-2005
PROGRAM STRENGTHS
Staff Skills & Ability to Work as a Team The UB staff has demonstrated a high level of
commitment to working collaboratively and sharing common goals.
High School Relationships Over the last 5 years in particular, UB staff members have made
a concerted effort to strengthen collaborative relationships with target school staff. By working in
partnerships, students receive wrap-around support to meet their needs.
Community Partners - Ongoing partnerships include social service agencies that help to meet
student’s basic needs as well as career and vocational programs.
Program Model – The tutorial model allows students to receive services with an appropriate
frequency and consistency.
Student & Parent Feedback NSCC UB believes that it is important for its students and
families to have a role in the decision making process. On a regular basis, the program
administers surveys/evaluations to collect feedback on its services. The program also relies on
the Student Advisory Committee, or SAC, for recommendations.
PROGRAM CHALLENGES
Program Funding The program has operated with level funding since the 2002-2003 grant
year. Furthermore, in September 2003, the Department of Education required the program to
increase its student caseload from 50 to 67 (without additional funds).
Increasing visibility of the Upward Bound program on the NSCC campus
Office Locations Currently, the Director is not located adjacent to other staff.
Inability to increase student GPAs by standard indicated in grant proposal The
program is trying to respond with adjustments in services to accommodate student needs and
achieve a higher level of performance.
Keeping up with case noting and file documentation Due to the number of students and
frequency of contact, it is difficult to keep up with case noting for each student.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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Develop a standardized system to electronically record student case notes that will minimize
the need for filing and reduce time requirements.
Engage in activities that increase visibility of UB program on NSCC campus.
Continue to explore and identify ways to increase GPAs by the established standards. This
includes bringing school personnel into the dialogue and evaluating whether the established
standard is attainable with this particular student population.
Develop written, standardized procedures for the student assessment process.
Identify and relocate into office space that allows all UB staff members to be housed adjacent
to one another.
As appropriate and according to grant guidelines, seek additional funding sources for special
events and student needs not covered by the grant.
Strengthen relationships with NSCC departments/student organizations to identify
opportunities for collaboration.