The Academic Achievers Program (AAP) is part of the Center for Mexican American Studies efforts to increase the number of Latino students who graduate from college. The Academic Achievers Program (previously called SABE) at Austin High School recruits sophomores and works with them throughout their remaining three years of high school. During those three years, the program helps the students prepare for college both academically and financially. Once enrolled at the University of Houston, the students are incorporated into the U of H - Academic Achievers Program where they continue to receive the support services that help them succeed. The AAP provides a $10,000 four year scholarship and mandatory tutoring, counseling, skills workshops and leadership training. AAP students at the University of Houston must sign a contract agreeing to be a full time student, maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average and participate in all activities. The students’ progress is closely monitored. Beginning in the fall of 2006 students will be required to maintain a 2.7 grade point average. AAP students as Austin high school are required to enroll in college preparatory classes, maintain a 3.0 grade point average and attend mandatory tutoring, counseling, SAT and other skills workshops and leadership activities. Currently there are 76 students in the AAP at the University of Houston and 37 in the AAP at Austin high school. The size of each program is limited by available resources.
Institution:
University of Houston and Austin High School
Academic Level:
Baccalaureate
Issue Area:
College Prep
Issue Area:
Retention
Year:
2007
Designation:
Examples of Excelencia
Designation:
Finalist
Key Personnel:
Treviño, Rebeca
Address:
713 743 3140
Address 2:
323 Agnes Arnold Hall
City:
Houston
State:
TX
Zip:
77204-3001 Website:
Goal/Mission:
The long term goal of AAP is to continue propelling students towards high school graduation, college enrollment, and college graduation through scholarship awards and research based practices such as tutoring, mentoring, and leadership training.
Outcome:
The AAP at the University of Houston was evaluated in 2003 and again in 2005 by the University Of Houston Office Of Institutional Research. The results show that although AAP students enter the University of Houston with lower SAT scores than other Latino students, over time AAP students earn higher grade point averages, move quicker towards graduation and graduate at higher rates. The average graduation rate of AAP students is 77%. This is higher than other Latino students (36%), higher than the University as a whole (39%), higher than the state (48%) and higher than the nation (60%). It was also found that AAP students progress to graduation at higher rates, for fall 1996 to fall 1999 Academic Achievers, graduation rates ranged from 68% to 89%. These rates are much higher that the rate of Hispanic undergraduates which ranged from 33% to 41%. Data from summer 2003 indicated that AAP students are significantly more likely to graduate in six years compared with other Hispanic students who enroll at UH at the same time. Also a 2006 Semi-Finalist.
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