Using Summer Bridge Programs to Enhance Student Success

1. Using Summer Bridge Programs to Enhance Student Success Dennis Jones & Annette Albrecht Tarleton State University Stephenville, Texas

2. Program Summary • Summer bridge programs can provide an effective method to reduce the college readiness gap between incoming students from underserved communities and those of more privileged schooling opportunities. Reducing this readiness gap can assist "at risk" students in enhancing their success. This presentation will review the literature related to summer bridge programs, including (a) various program models, (b) factors impacting program efficacy, and (c) challenges to developing successful programs.

3. The participants will • Increase their knowledge of the role of summer bridge programs in reducing the college readiness gap between incoming students from underserved communities and those of more privileged schooling opportunities. • Gain an awareness of the financial and operational challenges related to implementing and sustaining summer bridge programs. • Discover strategies for engaging high school counselors in the summer bridge program recruiting process.

4. Program Outline • Introductions • Characteristics of “Effective” Summer Bridge Programs • Summer Bridge Program Models • Sustainability • Bridging the Gap through School Counselors

5. Characteristics of “Effective” Summer Bridge Programs • Intentionality • Clear Goals and Evaluation System • Academic Support Programs • Student Support Programs • Co-Curricular Opportunities • Targeted Populations

6. Targeted Populations Based On • Collegiate Experience • High School – Rising Juniors & Seniors • Pre-Matriculation (Most Common) • Post First Year Program • Academic Readiness • At Risk (Most Common) • High Ability • Career Interests • STEM (Most Common) • Other • Demographic Characteristics

7. Summer Bridge Program Models • High School – Rising Juniors & Seniors • College/University Hosted – Provide Exposure to Campus Life • Focus on High School Completion v. College Readiness • Credit Bearing v. Noncredit Bearing • Residential v. Nonresidential

8. Summer Bridge Program Models • Pre-Matriculation (Part 1 of 2) • Conditional Admission v. High Achieving • Demographically Underrepresented Populations • First Generation • Residential v. Nonresidential • Major-Based – STEM, Allied Health • Focus on transition v. preparation • Focus on review, test preparation, and/or new content • Focus on study skills, reading, writing, mathematics, computer literacy, and/or sciences • Course-based v. Non-Course based • Credit Bearing v. Noncredit Bearing • Inclusion of FYE-type course

9. Summer Bridge Program Models • Pre-Matriculation (Part 2 of 2) • Wide Range of Support Services • Academic – tutoring, library, supplemental instruction • Student – advising, counseling, career exploration, time management, communication skills, developing relationships, stress management • Peer Mentors • Recreational and Social opportunities • Help students become comfortable in a more relaxed setting • Summer Session v. 1 to 2 weeks before Fall semester • Incorporated into Orientation programs • Precursor to Fall learning community programs

10. Summer Bridge Program Models • Post First Year Program • Conditional continuation contracts • Opportunity to “Catch-Up” • Focus on one area of developmental education

11. Sustainability

12. Bridging the Gap through School Counselors • Direct contact between Bridge staff and Counselors • Outreach to Counselors through TRIO Programs (e.g., Upward Bound, Talent Search) • Counselor Appreciation Days • On campus information sessions (AM) • CEUs for professional development (PM) • University Hosted School Counseling Conference • College Participation Outreach (GO Centers) • Career Days

13. Q & A