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Abstract | Full Narrative

(ABSTRACT:) Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) has approved, and will collaborate in, the Miami-Dade College (MDC) supplemental educational and family services program entitled “Enhancing Postsecondary Access Opportunities for Limited English Proficient Students” (Dual Participation Program). The program will begin with one school in MDCPS’s Region 5, with its high number of Hispanic students. Others will be added as the program expands. Many MDC students in its English for Non-native Speakers program graduated from area high schools. Students’ college academic studies must be postponed due to their limited English proficiency. In Miami-Dade County the longitudinal dropout rate for Hispanic students is 18.6%, 11.7% among white students and 18.3% overall. This project will strengthen participants’ English skills with a college-bound curriculum, while nurturing study skills and providing an academic structure designed to give students skills for positive program outcomes. Curriculum development, regional professional training, student referrals, transportation, parent education, and evaluation will take place as a joint activity between MDC, the school district, and other experts. Each year at least 60 at-risk high school juniors and seniors, whose major obstacle to higher education success is being limited English proficient (LEP), will participate in the program. The program’s goal is to create, pilot, refine, and support replication of an academically rigorous curricular model that will assure that seventy-five percent (75%) of its participants will become prepared to graduate from high school with the language skills needed to succeed in higher education. Successful participants will have the same competitive access to higher education as native English speaking students. Success in the program will impact academic performance, and parent education and workshops will give parents the skills and impetus to become more involved in their children’s education. The program will impact thousands of LEP students via the replication of this enhanced curriculum.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUBJECT PAGE

Introduction 1

Need for the Project 2

Project Design 6

Goals, Objectives, and Outcomes 7

Addressing the Needs of the Target Population 10

Improving Teaching and Learning 15

Building Capacity Beyond the Grant Period 15

Coordinating with Similar Efforts 17

Encouraging Parental Involvement 17

Project Services 18

Proficiency in English and Another Language 21

Project Personnel – College Policy and Key Personnel 21

Adequacy of Resources, Reasonableness of Costs, and Post-Funding Capacity 23

Management Plan 26

Project Evaluation 29