Effort
targeted at closing the achievement gap and improving college-going
rates
for
underrepresented students
Hundreds of junior high school students are going to church to learn
algebra. The California State University has partnered with churches to
conduct 15 Summer Algebra Institutes in regions of high need throughout
the state. The primary objective is to help pre-9th grade students from
underrepresented communities meet or exceed grade level understanding of
math concepts.
"The algebra institutes are helping students overcome one of the largest
hurdles to gaining college acceptance: math skills," said Tony
Ross,
vice president of student affairs for California State University, Los
Angeles and coordinator of the CSU African American Initiative. "Math
skills are an access issue and a key to prosperity. With a solid
foundation in math, students will have more career options when it comes
to the fastest growing sectors of our economy – including jobs in
research, technology, engineering and medical services."
Many of the students participating in the institutes are in school
districts that have cancelled or limited summer school due to the state
budget crisis. Even though the CSU is also facing budget reductions, the
system has committed to continue and expand its efforts to provide
access to students in the African American community.
Through the CSU African American Initiative, top university leaders
visited 70 northern and southern California churches in February to
spread the college-going message as part of Super Sunday. The system
office has also worked with churches to provide admissions counseling
training to youth ministers and coordinators.
As one of the most visible signs of continuing support by the CSU, the
number of Summer Algebra Institutes has increased five-fold, from three
last year to 15 this year. Institutes will be hosted by northern and,
this year for the first time, southern California churches.
"Our commitment to diversity in higher education is enduring and
fundamental to the CSU mission," said Jacqueline Mimms, associate vice
president for enrollment management at California State University,
Bakersfield. "Too many students are not ready for college after high
school graduation. Students need to be prepared for, and aware of,
college eligibility requirements while they still have a chance to make
critical choices."
Students who take rigorous courses in high school, especially in math,
are often the most successful during college. The Summer Algebra
Institutes not only improve math skills, but are designed to give
students the confidence to take on more challenging classes in high
school and to succeed in college.
Locations and Dates
Carson, CA
Fairfield, CA
Fremont, CA
Hayward, CA
Inglewood, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Oakland, CA
Pittsburg, CA
Richmond, CA
San Bernardino, CA
# # #
Working for California since 1947: The 175-acre hilltop campus of California State University, Los Angeles is at the heart of a major metropolitan city, just five miles from Los Angeles’ civic and cultural center. More than 20,000 students and 205,000 alumni—with a wide variety of interests, ages and backgrounds—reflect the city’s dynamic mix of populations. Six colleges offer nationally recognized science, arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and humanities programs, among others, led by an award-winning faculty. Cal State L.A. is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Jazz Orchestra and to a unique university center for gifted students as young as 12.
Programs that provide exciting enrichment opportunities to students and community include an NEH- and Rockefeller-supported humanities center; a NASA-funded center for space research; and a growing forensic science program, housed in the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center. www.calstatela.edu
CSU and
Church Partners Provide a Gateway to College through Summer Algebra
Institutes
Bakersfield, CA
Compassion
Christian Center, July 6 through August 7
Glory Christian
Fellowship, June 22 through August 7
St. Stephens CME
Church, July 6 through August 14
South Bay
Community Church, June 29 through July 31
Glad Tidings
Church of God, June 29 through July 31
My Brothers'
Keeper at CSU East Bay, June 29 through July 31
Faithful Central
Church, July 6 through August 10
Grant AME Church,
July 6 through August 14
Ward AME Church,
July 6 through August 14
West Angeles
Church of God, July 6 through August 14
Acts Full Gospel
Church, June 29 through July 31
Allen Temple
Baptist Church, June 29 through July 31
Oakland
Professional Development Center, June 29 through July 31
First Baptist
Church at Pittsburg High School, June 29 through July 31
Ennis Chapel,
June 29 through July 31
Temple Missionary
Baptist, June 29 through August 7
The California
State University is the largest system of senior higher education in
the country, with 23 campuses, approximately 450,000 students and 46,000
faculty and staff. Since the system was created in 1961, it has awarded
nearly 2.5 million degrees, about 90,000 annually. Its mission is to
provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever-changing
needs of the people of California. With its commitment to excellence,
diversity and innovation, the CSU is the university system that is
working for California.
http://www.calstate.edu
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