I am in Southern Colorado...can you tell me more about the SUN Program?


-----Original Message-----
From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Stephanie Moran
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 7:52 PM
To: jaclynn10 at yahoo.com; 'The Assessment Discussion List'
Subject: [Assessment 1641] Re: Assessment Digest, Vol 41,Issue 1--
Transitions: Resources, Obstacles, Etc.

Again, the SUN program here in Colorado (Success Unlimited/College
Connection) is designed exactly to address the challenges that Jac-Lynn
delineates. Is anyone on this discussion from the other Colorado sites
(in addition to Ranee) or the New Jersey, North Carolina, or Kansas
sites who can speak to how the GED transition to college program is
working at your institution?

-----Original Message-----
From: assessment-bounces at nifl.gov [mailto:assessment-bounces at nifl.gov]
On Behalf Of Jac-Lynn Stark
Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2009 6:37 PM
To: The Assessment Discussion List
Subject: [Assessment 1636] Re: Assessment Digest, Vol 41, Issue 1--
Transitions: Resources, Obstacles, Etc.

Regarding Charlene Salazar's role as Transitions Liaison, the students
at your school are so lucky to have someone like you to help them! I am
a former ABE/GED teacher and currently Assistant Professor of English at
a community college, where I teach developmental level Reading and
Writing. As a GED teacher, I saw my GED grads struggle with a variety of
difficulties when they went to college, including understanding
financial aid, paying for books, knowing how to navigate the schedule,
knowing that they would still have to pay for a course if they stopped
attending a course but did not officially drop, time management, etc.,
etc. The expectations in college are very different and most students
didn't know how to navigate in this new environment. Now as an Assistant
Professor where I teach students right out of high school, as well as
GED graduates and adults returning to school, I can say that without a
doubt, support is the most important factor that  students need to
succeed. Another thing that causes difficulty is the lack of alignment
between various tests that students have to take, such as the
Accuplacer. I think that transition programs can definitely help. Having
worked in both ABE/GED, I am very interested in this discussion and look
forward to reading everyone's comments.

Jac-Lynn Stark, Boston




--- On Mon, 2/2/09, Charlene Salazar <csalazar at delmar.edu> wrote:


> From: Charlene Salazar <csalazar at delmar.edu>

> Subject: [Assessment 1561] Re: Assessment Digest, Vol 41, Issue 1--

Transitions: Resources, Obstacles, Etc.

> To: assessment at nifl.gov

> Date: Monday, February 2, 2009, 2:14 PM Maria -

> 

> I went over your questions for the subscribers and I hope that the 

> information that I provide you with will help. I am the Transitions 

> Liaison for the Del Mar College Department of GED Instruction. When I 

> was hired for this position there were no guidelines. I was given the 

> opportunity to design it in any fashion that I wished just as long as 

> the job was successful and it got done. As a former GED graduate, I 

> thought to myself what were the things that helped me move into 

> post-secondary education. The first 2 things were motivation and 

> support.

> 

> When students step into a different educational arena it can be very 

> intimidating for them; scary. Fear can make students turn and run in a



> different direction. A direction that will often not include a college



> education. So I told myself that when I met with a student, I was 

> going to do everything in my power to motivate, support, and encourage



> these students. I try to make my students feel comfortable and 

> confident and I do that by informing them of my educational journey of



> GED student to college graduate. I don't sugar coat anything and let 

> them know that it will be tough and challenging, but so very rewarding



> in the end.

> 

> Changing a student's "I can't" mind set to an "I can" allows them to 

> start peeling away the layers of fears they have developed. I tell my 

> students that there is no way they can move forward if they have one 

> foot stuck in the past. Whatever it was that led them to this GED 

> program doesn't matter anymore. They are here to get a GED, enter 

> college, and/ or workforce and they must focus on the here and now.

> 

> Another thing that works for me is making sure all our students know 

> who I am. I teach new student orientation, attend awards assemblies, 

> do classroom visits, and eat lunch with them whenever my schedule 

> permits. So by the time a student comes in for a transitioning 

> appointment, they already know me and feel comfortable talking to me.

> 

> Knowledge is my best resource. I must be knowledgeable about 

> everything the transtioner is going to have to deal with:

> 

> 1. Knowing all the key people in every department on

> campus(s)

> 2. College Majors - does Del Mar College have associate and 

> certificate programs in the students field of interest 3. Admissions 

> requirements and placement tests such as the THEA and COMPASS 4. 

> Tuition Costs 5. Financial Aid - What is it and how do I apply for it?

> 7. College Advising - Placement test scores and will the student have 

> to enroll in remedial courses, degree plans and class schedules.

> 8. Registration

> 

> Availability is also key. I have an open door policy and make myself 

> available to all our students day or night. For example: If a student 

> is trying to register and doesn't know where to go or who to talk to, 

> they can call me on their cell phones and I will walk them through the



> whole process over the phone. You have to let your students know that 

> you care and you are there.

> 

> If you ahve any other questions, please send them my way.

> 

> Charlene Salazar-------------------------------

> National Institute for Literacy

> Assessment mailing list

> Assessment at nifl.gov

> To unsubscribe or change your subscription settings, please go to 

> http://www.nifl.gov/mailman/listinfo/assessment

> Email delivered to jaclynn10 at yahoo.com



      
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Email delivered to kathye at monte.k12.co.us