CEHD Inside / Out

Two programs at the University of Minnesota have received more than $60,000 in matching grants to focus on increasing high school graduation rates, college participation and academic success among students. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education awarded the grants to organizations that demonstrated an effective plan to address key factors supporting college access and success. These factors include raising students’ aspirations for college, improving academic preparation for college, easing the initial transition to college and providing more support for students once in college.

Associate professor Ernest Davenport in the department of educational psychology in the College of Education and Human Development received more than $23,000 to fund an ACT/SAT preparation course for at-risk students. The course is designed to increase student knowledge in key content areas to better prepare them for successful college experiences. About 150 high school students will have large and small group instruction on the topics assessed on college admission tests. Practice tests and informational sessions on topics such as course-taking, test preparation, college admissions and financial aid will also be given.

Davenport sees the program as a natural extension of his work. “I have volunteered my time and talent to helping at-risk students prepare themselves for college since 1991, because I believe that the effects of a good education last for several lifetimes,” Davenport said.

The Office for Equity and Diversity’s Maadaadizi (Start a Journey) program received more than $36,000. Through the program, 60 American Indian students from two St. Paul high schools will participate in career and college planning sessions with Indian Education licensed school counselors and university staff. The students will also participate in college visits and field trips to college fairs; receive individual assistance in ACT preparation, high school course selection and college and financial aid application; and participate in mentoring sessions with current college students. In addition, the program will offer information to parents on advanced high school courses and college admissions.

“The Office for Equity and Diversity is excited about the grant for a number of reasons,” said Rickey Hall, assistant vice president. “We know that success in attracting American Indian students to postsecondary education institutions begins by making sure the students are adequately prepared to do college-level work.”

The Minnesota Office of Higher Education’s competitive grant program supports state educational institutions and nonprofit organizations that help students in grades six through college increase their chances for participation and success in higher education. Through the grant program, 24 projects received a total of $696,000. Grant funds were made available under the Minnesota Higher Education Omnibus Bill of 2007.