SAN ANTONIO, TX (Sept. 14, 2009) – San Antonio College has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department Education to fund a four-year Upward Bound Math and Science project for 9th-12th grade students at Edison High School, in the San Antonio School District (SAISD).
The purpose of the grant is to improve the chances for at-risk, low-income minority students who typically are first-generation in college students, to finish high school with adequate math and science preparation. This helps assure success in college and entry into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.
The project will be implemented under the direction of Dean Ruben Flores of the Division of Evening, Weekend and Distance Education.
“This grant provides the college with the opportunity to work with students in our neighborhood, to augment the work already being done at Edison High School, and expand our successful partnership with the SAISD,” said Dr. Robert E. Zeigler, San Antonio College president. “We are grateful to our colleagues at Edison and to the Department of Education for making this possible.”
SAC faculty will provide academic enrichment, tutoring and/or mentoring in STEM subjects in addition to non-academic college preparation assistance. Students will be chosen by Edison counselors based on grade point averages and low scores of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).
The program will serve 50 to 60 students beginning this month with ninth graders.
The objectives are:
• To ensure that 80 percent of Upward Bound students are proficient in math and science TAKS;
• 85 percent remain in the program from year to year;
• 80 percent will enroll in college after graduating high school;
• 70 percent return the following fall after their first year of post-secondary education.
For more information, contact Ruben Flores at (210) 486-0941 or rflores5@alamo.edu.
