The program addresses barriers to college transition and retention by maximizing access to student services. This innovative model begins to provide the full complement of college student services to high school seniors at participating high schools during the regular school day and then provides ongoing support to students through community college to the completion of the baccalaureate degree. A one-stop, case management counseling approach ensures that students and their families develop a long-term relationship with their assigned counselor.
Pathway was first implemented in fall 2005. Since its inception, the program has grown from 14 high schools in two school systems to 30 high schools in four school systems. In 2008-2009, over 2,800 students will participate in Pathway, with nearly 45% of those students identifying themselves as Latino or biracial/Latino. Over 93% of Pathway students meet one or more U.S. Department of Education "at-risk" criteria, including students with disabilities, immigrants or children of immigrants, minorities, first-generation college-goers, students from low-income and single parent households, and wards of the state.
Institution:
Northern Virginia Community College
Academic Level:
Associate
Issue Area:
Access
Year:
2009
Designation:
Examples of Excelencia
Designation:
Finalist
Key Personnel:
Hilker-Balkissoon, Kerin
Address:
Northern Virginia Community College
Address 2:
8333 Little River Turnpike
City:
Annandale
State:
VA
Zip:
22003 Website:
Goal/Mission:
The Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program was developed to increase access to and success in higher education for academically capable, at-risk students in Northern Virginia in a sustainable, cost-effective format.
Outcome:
Over 85% of program participants in cohorts 1 through 3 transitioned successfully into college within one year of high school graduation. The transition and retention rates for Latino students in the program mirror the program-wide transition and retention rates. Latino students in the program have an 86.2% transition rate from high school into higher education. The first-to-second semester retention rate for Latino students is 90%, which is equivalent to the program-wide retention rate. In addition, the yearly retention rate of Latino students is 81%, which is also equivalent to the reported program-wide figure.
Over 98% of Pathway students earned college credit in the first year, and 70% of the students are in good academic standing after the first semester. This compares with a national average of 47% of students earning college credit in the 12 years immediately after high school graduation (NEL), and a range of 40-50% of at-risk students in good academic standing after one semester (Lumina Foundation). Graduation data is not yet available because the first cohort has not yet completed the 5-7-year cycle through to the completion of the baccalaureate degree.
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