Gabby Salazar, who has been a student in our academic programs, possesses an inner drive to both improve her life as well as help and encourage others to do the same. Her most recent academic accomplishment was passing the GED test, and thereby earning her high school equivalency certificate. Her preparation included the supported GED Prep Program at our Learning Center and GED Prep Classses...(click here to continue)

Bridge: College Prep Writing

Moorpark College and Conejo Valley Adult School Bridge Program receive grant from SAGE/Corwin
Grant allows for scholarship availability to qualified students

Thousand Oaks, CA (November, 2011) — Moorpark College and the Conejo Valley Adult School received a $12,000 grant from SAGE/Corwin in support of the recently opened Bridge program, which offers academic support to adults who want to return to college and/or the workforce but require additional skills and training to do so successfully. This grant comes at a crucial time the Conejo Valley Adult School and for adults looking to further their education and skill set.

As state- and nation-wide budget cuts in education have forced community colleges to scale back on courses of this nature, adult schools have become the go-to resource for those looking for this kind of education, and grants like these help allow for adult schools to develop the classes necessary to meet this growing need.

The Bridge Program offers courses in critical reading, college prep writing and basic algebra. Conejo Valley Adult School works in partnership with Moorpark College to offer the skills that are needed for successful transition from the Bridge Program to Moorpark.

Pam Eddinger, Moorpark College President, states, “The partnership between the Bridge Program and the College is an important link in the educational pipeline for our county. Students will be better prepared for college entry, and primed to succeed in college and in the workforce. The generous support of SAGE and Corwin is a vote of confidence for this forward-looking collaborative model.” 

A unique feature of the grant is that a portion of the funds received will go to students who complete a Bridge class and transition to Moorpark College. These students will be eligible to apply for tuition reimbursement based on application, teacher endorsement and administrator selection.  Loredana Carson, Transition Coordinator for CVAE, says that this feature allows deserving students to be recognized for the achievement of successful program participation, and will encourage students to make the most out of the Bridge Program. She adds that the adult school is grateful to both SAGE/Corwin and the Moorpark College Foundation for making this grant possible and for supporting this new program. 

Jeff Baarstad, CVUSD Superintendent, concurs, adding, “We urge school districts in our county to consider this partnership model. The communication and synergy between the adult school and Moorpark College gives students a better academic experience.”

For more information on joining the Bridge Program, visit www.ConejoAdultSchool.org/ESL/bridge.htm

Conejo Valley Adult School is part of the Conejo Valley Unified School District, providing success through academic rigor, communication skills, critical thinking, and extensive activeities. For more information about adult school programs, view the website at www.ConejojAdultSchool.org. The next semester of Bridge Program courses begins Jan. 17, 2012. Call 805-497-2761 ext. 1043 for registration information.

Emanuel Castillo came to the United States from Mexico seven years ago, speaking no English. Since then, Castillo, 27, has worked his way up to being a waiter and assistant manager at the Country Harvest restaurant in Newbury Park.

He speaks fluent English and has earned his high school equivalency diploma.

Now he'd like to earn a degree in business administration and open his own restaurant, or maybe be a teacher. But he doesn't feel quite ready for college, and he's not sure how to go about enrolling.

So he's joining a new program offered through the Conejo Valley Adult School that offers remedial classes to help students get ready for college.

"I'm hoping ... not hoping: I am goingto start (college) in January," said the Newbury Park man. "I didn't really feel secure yet to take that step. I need more information before I start college. I don't know how to do it."

The Bridge to College program, which begins this fall, will offer classes in basic algebra, college-prep writing, critical reading and Internet literacy.

"This is what's needed," said Loredana Carson, transition program coordinator at the adult school.

The adult school is working with Moorpark College so students can make the transition to college more smoothly. Because of state budget cuts, community colleges can't afford to offer remedial classes far below college level, said Pam Eddinger, president of Moorpark College. Those classes also don't fulfill the community colleges' core mission, Eddinger said.

"We're partnering with them to make sure our students don't fall through the cracks," she said. "It's a more efficient way to get more students through the pipeline. ... This is the compassionate way to do it."

Classes that meet twice a week cost $75; those that meet once a week are $50. Enrollment has begun, but students must register in person.

Kathy Demac, 59, went to college years ago and would like to return. She also wants to brush up on her writing and computer skills.

"I was always interested in sciences, but I never got my bachelor's," said Demac, a yoga therapist and Pilates instructor who lives in Agoura Hills. "It's always bothered me because you can't go to other higher-education programs without it."

Castillo hopes others take advantage of the new program, too.

"If anyone would think it's too late to go to school, it's never too late," he said. "This country offers you so many opportunities. If you want to be somebody, you're in the right place."

Bridge program gets $12,000 grant
Ventura County Star, January 1, 2012

For many people trying to transition between high school and college, there's a missing link, according to Loredana Carson, coordinator of the new Bridge Program at Conejo Valley Adult School in Thousand Oaks.

"We (educators) noticed we weren't able to prepare (some) people for college," Carson said. "Anecdotally, we know students get to Moorpark (College) and get lost or don't succeed.

"When you get to Moorpark, you need college-level skills."

The adult school has partnered with Moorpark College president Pam Eddinger in developing the Bridge Program, which, starting Sept. 6, will offer remedial classes to prepare students 18 and over with a high school diploma or a GED for college.

The program is suitable for adults going to college after spending time away from academics and pursuing a vocational certificate or higher education after high school. College credit is not given.

"Conejo Valley Unified School District sends 60 percent of community college students to Moorpark," Carson said. "Their remedial classes fill up and there is nowhere to send students. Community colleges are jammed up . . . because of the economy.

Carson, who's worked at the adult school for 16 years, will help students decide what classes are most beneficial to them.

The Bridge classes are also meant to get students ready for the workforce.

"One of the biggest complaints of employers is that people don't have job skills," she said.

To help students build skills for school and jobs, the program offers day and evening classes in basic algebra, critical reading, college-prep writing and Internet literacy, which is for anyone who hasn't used a computer for academic purposes, Carson said.

The state supports Bridge programs elsewhere by offering grants, Carson said. Conejo Valley Adult School applied for a grant before their program started and learned that in order to qualify the program must be up and running.

Follow-through

In addition to providing classroom instruction, Bridge staff will aid in the students' transition to a community college or university once coursework is completed.

"We will assist you in making contacts there," Carson said.

So far, about 40 people between 18 and 55 years old have enrolled for the first day of classes Sept. 6.

Rebecca Britton, 19, who attended high school in Japan, enrolled in Bridge's critical reading and math classes to get ready for Moorpark College.

"I hope the classes will give me confidence," said Britton, who's been taking TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and other courses at the adult school since she moved to T.O. in March.

"I don't want to be left behind in a college class," she said.

Carson said the biggest challenge in attracting students like Britton is making them aware of the program, since most students who attend Moorpark register online.

"Unless they go to a counselor they don't know that the program is suitable for them," she said.

The infancy of the program may be an obstacle in another way.

"There's nothing for people to look at," Carson said. "When you don't have a program to trot people through, it's a tough sell."

But Carson believes Bridge teachers will eventually fill the 160 spots in their classrooms at the school at 1025 Old Farm Road. About 200 students can be accommodated if other school sites are used, an option that is being explored.

" The teachers we've employed are very, very experienced. They've worked with us or have been employed by CVUSD for more than 10 years. Nobody here is a newcomer," Carson said.

"The teachers are very interested in working with adults and in our transition mission. They have to believe that this is a really valuable service. They are our main selling point."

Britton, who plans to study theater arts and one day work on a movie set, credits the adult school's teachers with helping her reach her goals.

"The teachers are kind and helpful. They care about students so much," she said.

Carson hopes Bridge will offer more classes in the future and reach an ever-growing number of students.

"This is just the beginning. Our goal is to expand the program. We hope it takes off like a snowball."

www.campustours.com

www.collegeboard.com