The College Prep Program started with a partnership between Cal. State, L.A. and Lincoln High School. This program is called the University Prep Program (UPP). The UPP model at Lincoln high school is in its 6th year and the first group of students are now freshmen in college.
ACCESS began replication of the UPP model in three high schools two years ago with each high school linked to an area CSU campus. Morningside was the first replication site and Milikan and San Fernando are in their first year of implementation. Each site was selected because of other work ACCESS had done with students that feed into those high schools. Each site has developed a program to fit their needs, but certain elements have been retained in their model.
Outline of Model
Students: Target students are from underrepresented minority groups with GPA's between 2.0 and 2.9. There must be a balance of male and female students.
Curriculum: Students must be enrolled in academic classes that qualify them for entrance to a college or university.
Support: Students must have a support mechanism to support their academic studies such as after school tutoring, before school classes or Saturday meetings. Failure of a course is not cause for dismissal from the program but rather students must repeat the course in summer school or adult school and show evidence of perseverance.
Parental Involvement: Parents are required to attend at least one meeting per semester held specifically for this program. It is suggested that a contract be written that parents and students sign, outlining their responsibilities and confirming their understanding and commitment to this program.
Organization: Each model is required to have an identified coordinator and governing body that meets regularly to monitor, govern, and evaluate their program on an ongoing basis. Parents and students are encouraged to be part of this body.
Motivation: Special activities such as field trips and other motivational support is required.
Essential Components
1. A steering committee made up of administrators,teachers, counselors, parents and students.
2. One parent orientation meeting. One parent meeting at the beginning of the second semester.
3. A signed contract defining student and parent responsibilities.
4. One ACCESS student assembly per semester.
5. A tutoring program.
6. A campus based coordinator.
7. A dedicated counselor.
8. At least two field trips per year to California State University (CSU) partner campus for a Saturday lab activity.
9. At least one "college day" visit to CSU partner campus.
10. A college prep curricular program.
11. Student data available for evaluation.
Optional Components
* PSAT Testing.
* End of Year award ceremony.
* Other activities unique to each school’s program (including field trips).