Laney program lifts dropouts
'Gateway to College' helps high school students prepare for higher education
Tracey Tate
Issue date: 2/12/09 Last update: 2/13/09 at 10:32 PM PST
Section: News
Eligibility requirements for Gateway to College include the following:
> Students should be able to earn enough high school credits to achieve a diploma prior to turning 21.
> Students must live within a qualifying school district to be eligible.
> Students must have an eighth grade reading level in order to qualify for Gateway to College.
> There are no income requirements.
> Students must commit to regular attendance, proper college behavior, and make time for the homework required of all college students.
A major difference in the program is that the classroom setting is on the college campuses like Laney, not the traditional high school campus. Since students are learning in a college setting, they are eligible to earn dual credits for high school and college. The first term in the college setting, students placed in a small community of their peers. In this setting, students are able to build their academic and personal skills, focus on intensive literacy development while maintaining rigorous academic standards, all the while receiving individualized support. Regarding the support system of Gateway to College, Celhay says, "Having worked with underserved and at-risk youth, I understand that access is not enough; these students need additional support that a learning community can provide."
While reading, writing and math are fundamental courses, students also take a career development class to focus on their academic goals. Students are given valuable tools in the form of college survival and study skills class. They also learn how to take effective notes, study for tests, and handle the pressures of school, work and family life. After successfully completing the initial Foundation term, students transition to the comprehensive campus, taking classes with the general student population.
The Gateway to College program at LC is located in room A201. Ms. Celhay can be contacted at (510) 464-3592 or via e-mail at lcelhay(at)perlata(dot)edu.
> Students should be able to earn enough high school credits to achieve a diploma prior to turning 21.
> Students must live within a qualifying school district to be eligible.
> Students must have an eighth grade reading level in order to qualify for Gateway to College.
> There are no income requirements.
> Students must commit to regular attendance, proper college behavior, and make time for the homework required of all college students.
A major difference in the program is that the classroom setting is on the college campuses like Laney, not the traditional high school campus. Since students are learning in a college setting, they are eligible to earn dual credits for high school and college. The first term in the college setting, students placed in a small community of their peers. In this setting, students are able to build their academic and personal skills, focus on intensive literacy development while maintaining rigorous academic standards, all the while receiving individualized support. Regarding the support system of Gateway to College, Celhay says, "Having worked with underserved and at-risk youth, I understand that access is not enough; these students need additional support that a learning community can provide."
While reading, writing and math are fundamental courses, students also take a career development class to focus on their academic goals. Students are given valuable tools in the form of college survival and study skills class. They also learn how to take effective notes, study for tests, and handle the pressures of school, work and family life. After successfully completing the initial Foundation term, students transition to the comprehensive campus, taking classes with the general student population.
The Gateway to College program at LC is located in room A201. Ms. Celhay can be contacted at (510) 464-3592 or via e-mail at lcelhay(at)perlata(dot)edu.
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