a. Summary of what the program, project, or activity is intended to accomplish.

Transcription

1 1 a. Summary of what the program, project, or activity is intended to accomplish. Alamo {Area} Academies what the San Antonio Express s (April 9 th, 2011) referred to as perhaps the biggest education success story of the past decade in San Antonio as it not only gives students opportunities to discover and experience exciting STEM careers and develop advanced skills while in high school, but also provides a very real college and career pathway towards long-term employment in these high-growth occupations. What the program is intended to accomplish: The Alamo Area Academies logic model, organizational structure, curriculum, and industry partnerships are well established to meet the two goals (participation and student success) of Closing the Gaps Initiative. Annually, the Alamo Area Academies provide access to almost 300 mostly minority (71%) students to enroll in Applied STEM Technical Careers. Sixty Percent of these students graduate with a degree or marketable skill certificate within two years. Moreover, 58% of students continue in higher education and 42% graduate and enter into rewarding STEM careers. According to the San Antonio Manufactures Association and the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the Academies have become one of the most effective initiatives to produce the skilled workforce pipeline that high-tech industries need; and improve students labor market outcomes. These objectives in turn contribute directly to the Closing the Gaps goals for increasing Minority Participation and Increasing Graduation and Completion rates in the Alamo Region. How does the Alamo Area Academies work? The program is a dual credit program that requires that students attend dedicated courses for half a day at one of the Alamo Colleges. Under this program, qualified high school juniors and seniors complete a required internship and earn one year of college credit [31-34 college semester hours], a Level I Certificate and industry recognized certifications along with a standard high school diploma. There are four STEM certificate pathway programs: aerospace, advanced manufacturing, information technology, and nursing: The Aerospace Academy provides students technical training in aircraft, airframe and engine mechanics to prepare students for additional postsecondary education and/or careers in aerospace engineering. The curriculum includes Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards and requirements; aircraft fluid, electrical and engine systems and overhaul; aviation materials sciences; and ground operations. Students graduate the Academy with a Level I Certificate as an Aircraft Turbines Mechanic or Aircraft Structures Mechanic. The Aerospace Academy has graduated 304 students through 2012, 99% of whom have gone on to targeted industry jobs, higher education, or service in the military. Approximately 27% of graduates continued their education immediately at postsecondary institutions; and 70% accepted high-tech, highwage jobs with San Antonio aerospace industries. The Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Academy helps students explore career paths and acquire unique skills in advanced manufacturing including high-tech computer based manufacturing processes and robotics. The curriculum includes machining, dimensional metrology, manufacturing processes, circuitry, introduction to Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and introduction to robotics. Students graduate with a Level I Certificate as a Precision Metal Worker or Production Tool Operator/Maintenance Assistant. The Manufacturing Academy has graduated 130 students, 80% of whom have gone on to higher education or employment in targeted industries. Approximately 44% of graduates continued their education

2 2 immediately at postsecondary institutions; and 34% accepted high-tech, high-wage jobs with San Antonio manufacturing industries. The remaining 20% of students either secured other jobs or moved from San Antonio. The Health Professions Academy provides students technical training in nursing and health information systems, allowing students to earn sufficient credits to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) and to use these credits to continue their education towards becoming a Registered Nurse (RN) or to gain admission to an Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) program. The curriculum includes nutrition, anatomy and physiology, foundations of nursing, basic and advanced nursing skills, and the essentials of medication administration and pharmacology. Since the Health Professions Academy began in 2009, all 17 of its graduates have continued their education at postsecondary institutions towards achieving a RN Certificate or ADN degree. The Information Technology & Security Academy provides students technical training in preventative maintenance, installation, networking, security, troubleshooting, and basic programming for additional postsecondary education and/or careers in the Information Technology and Security industry. The curriculum includes introduction to operating systems, special topics in networking and telecommunications, information technology security, programming logic and design, and introduction to web-based programming. Students graduate with an industry recognized Level I Certificate demonstrating competency as a computer technician and are qualified to test for a CompTIA A+ Certification. The Information Technology and Security Academy has graduated 278 students, 98% of whom have gone on to targeted industry jobs, higher education, or service in the military, with the overwhelming majority (93%) going on to higher education. Free Dual Credit Courses and Paid Internships! Each partner brings a unique contribution to the Alamo Area Academies. The Alamo Colleges provide facilities, equipment and instruction; the school districts provide textbooks and round trip transportation from students home campuses to the college sites; employers pay the salaries of their summer interns; and the cities fund staff salaries and operating costs. Students from the Academies use community college instructors, classrooms, equipment and laboratories to prepare for careers in the aerospace, information technology and security, advanced technology and manufacturing and healthcare industries - matching four of the six industry clusters identified by Workforce Solutions Alamo as high-wage, high-skill growth industries essential to the prosperity of San Antonio and surrounding region. Mandatory Paid Industry Internships: The Alamo Area Academies program of studies requires that students participate in an industry paid internship in the summer between their junior and senior years. Academy students earn a minimum of $2,500 and are provided a real job, with real hands on applications. The internship helps students to build technical skills and creates excitement for a future career in highwage STEM careers. The Academies enjoy strong industry-support because Alamo area employers recognize the economic development value of a program that produces a college educated workforce with the targeted skills that participating high-tech, high-wage industries require. Thus, directly achieving the Closing the Gaps goal to prepare and ensure an educated population and workforce for the future.

3 3 Alamo Area Academies School District and Industry Partners: The Alamo Area Academies requires strong collaboration and support from both employers and area high schools. The program, which serves predominantly low-income and minority students, collaborates with 24 greater San Antonio area ISDs and 65+ high schools (ISD listing Table 1). The area high schools help inform and recruit juniors and seniors for the opportunity to earn college credit, paid industry internships, and long-term employment opportunities in high-growth applied STEM fields via four specialized academies in the Aerospace, Information Technology and Security, Advanced Technology and Manufacturing and Health Care professions. Table 1 Alamo Area Academies Independent School District Partners South San Antonio Southside Somerset Harlandale Edgewood San Antonio Southwest Judson Seguin East Central Northeast Central Catholic Floresville Lackland Comal Alamo Heights St. Gerard Fort Stockton Lytle Boerne Navarro Braunfels Northside Medina Valley The Academies is an industry driven program with more than 100 leading regional employers such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Toyota, CPS Energy, Rackspace and Valero Energy (sample listing of Industry partners Table 2). Table 2 Alamo Area Academies Industry Partners Boeing Rackspace Toyota Lockheed Martin 24th Air Force Valero AT&T Chromalloy City of San Methodist Healthcare Antonio System CPS Energy ITM SWBC Gore Design CHRISTUS Santa Rosa System PSI HEB Standard Aero DPT Laboratories UT Health Science Center Hexcel Corp. Minigrip CMC Steel Alamo Industrial Star Manufacturing Alamo Area Academies Placement Results: Upon graduation from the Alamo Area Academies, students have the opportunity build on their head start and continue to a 2 or 4 year degree or start a high-tech, well-paying career. Since the program began in 2001, the Academies have blazed a trail of extraordinary success, placing 96% of graduates immediately into higher education in a STEM field or a career in a STEM industry or a military career (Graduation Results Table 3). The four Academies are targeted to the most significant and fastest growing industry clusters in San Antonio, providing outstanding opportunities too hundreds of qualified low-income and minority applicants who graduate from the Academies.

4 4 Table 3 Immediate Post-Graduation Placements (Year of Founding in Parenthesis) Academies Area Academies Graduates Targeted Other Jobs Military Higher Ed Industry Aerospace Academy Information Technology & Security Academy Advanced Technology & Manufacturing Academy Health Professions Academy Total Percentage 34% 4% 4% 58% b. The date the program, project, or activity began operations. The Alamo Area Academies began operations in With inputs and support from local aerospace industry partners, the first cohort of Aerospace Academy students entered into the dual credit program of studies fall semester The fall semester 2002 the Information Technology (IT) industry requested implementation of an Information Technology and Security Academy to support a STEM pipeline of college proven and career ready graduates for their career field. The San Antonio Manufactures Association, representing over 1,000 manufacturing businesses in the region, supported development and implementation of a program of studies in advanced manufacturing with the first cohort entering the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Academy fall semester The Health Care industry requested a Health Professions Academy starting fall semester The Academies model can respond to additional industry demands for STEM pipelines as needed for communities. c. The goal(s) of Closing the Gaps to which the program is contributing are: (1) student participation and (2) student success. To increase the overall Texas higher education participation rate from 5 percent to 5.2 percent by 2005, to 5.5 percent by 2010, and to 5.7 percent by Increase rate for the Hispanic population of Texas to 5.7 percent by (i) Alamo Area Academies Success in Closing the Gaps: Student Participation particularly Hispanic and Black student access: The Alamo Area Academies has an exceptional record of success in student participation in the San Antonio area. The Academies serves high-need, predominantly minority students: 86% of students enrolled are economically disadvantaged and 71% are minority students. Of particular note is that the Hispanic student participation rate is 66%. The Academies program has added 1249 students to the overall Texas higher education participation rate. Table 4 shows that since the program started in 2001, the participation rate has increased 69% and is on a steady and upward vector for student participation in the program.

5 5 Table 4 Alamo Area Academies Student Participation Summary 2003 Fall 2001 Spring Fall 2002 Spring 2004 Enrollment Enrollment Fall 2003 Spring Fall 2004 Spring 2006 Enrollment Enrollment Fall 2005 Spring Fall 2006 Spring 2008 Enrollment Enrollment Fall 2007 Spring Fall 2008 Spring 2010 Enrollment Enrollment Fall 2009 Spring Fall 2010 Spring 2012 Enrollment Enrollment Fall 2001 to Percent 10 Total Spring Total % Minority Total Graduates 2012 Graduates Enrollment % Hispanic 66% % Black 5% Totals % Others 29% Data Source: Alamo College -- SPC & SAC SMIS; Alamo Academies Student Outcome Reports (ii) Alamo Area Academies Success in Closing the Gaps: Student Success particularly Hispanic and Black student success: The Alamo Area Academies graduate s demographics data on Table 5 shows how the program through its collaboration amongst its many partners is exceeding the Closing the Gaps student success targets in all identified categories. As Table 5 shows, the Academies has surpassed by large margins the Closing the Gaps targets for Student Success, especially for minority populations. The Academies program increased the number of Hispanic student graduates by 484 (66%). Overall, 1249 students have met the demanding Dual Credit college assessment criteria, participated in the rigorous and relevant program of studies and 729 graduated (58%) with a Level I Certificate or Marketable Skills Award.

6 6 Table 5 Alamo Area Academies Student Success Summary: Graduates (s ) Ethnicity Total Total % White % Hispanic % Black % Asian/Pacific/ Am. Indian % Total % Gender Males % Females % Total % Data Source: Alamo College -- SPC & SAC SMIS; Alamo Academies Student Outcome Reports d. Sufficient data to ensure that progress is clearly demonstrated and is attributable to the program, project, or activity. Increasing Postsecondary Attainment: For the past ten years, over 60% of FTIC students entering the Academies program in their junior year have continued the dual-credit program into their senior year, attained between 31 and 34 hours of advance college credit in STEM fields, and graduated with an industry-recognized Level I Certificate of Completion or Marketable Skills Award from the Alamo Colleges. 1 The Level 1 graduation rate,for this period, is 55% for Level 1 Certificate and 80.6% for those in Marketable Skill Certificates. Academy students significantly outperformed the THECB 2007 FTIC student success rate of 3.4% for Certificate 1 programs. Thus Academy completion rates are almost 20 times higher than the THECB 2007 FTIC for Certificate Completion rates. By comparison, nationwide, the President s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology reports that fewer than 40% of students who enter college intending to major in a STEM field complete a STEM degree. In addition, of the 729 students that the program has graduated over the last ten years, 58% enrolled immediately in a post-secondary institution after graduation. By comparison, across all students in the San Antonio region, fewer than 42% enroll in higher education following graduation. 2 Total Enrolled Level I Certificate Eligible Table 6 Alamo Area Academies Total First Time in College Level 1 Cert. and MSCA Completion Rates Level 1 Success Total Total Total Level 1 Certificate Rate Marketable Marketable Level I Certificate Completion Variance Skills Skills Certificate Graduation Rate; THECB Compared Awards Awards Graduates Rates 2007 THECB Eligible Graduates 2010 data Marketable Skills Award Graduation Rate % 3.4% +51.6% % Note 1: Data Source: Alamo College -- SPC & SAC SMIS; Alamo Academies Student Outcome Reports Note 2: 33 Level I Certificate Eligible Earned Marketable Skills Award

7 7 The program outcomes are attributed to the Alamo Area Academies because the program student participation and student success outcomes far exceed state norms for first time in college cohorts enrolled in Level 1 Certificate Program of Studies. In Table 6, the data shows progressive and consistent variances between two year academy cohorts compared to the THECB 2010 data for the 2007 First Time in College cohort. In every case, the Academies outperform the state norm by significant margins. Since the population is selected from a single pool of high school students, all in good standing, there is no student achievement bias beyond dual credit admission criteria. Thus, the variance in Academy student outcomes can only be attributed to the program design. e. Demonstration of an efficient cost/benefit ratio per student. (1) Variable Student Success (Graduate/Completer) The nationally recognized, award-winning Alamo Area Academies reflects a shared cost model that yields significant cost savings to the Alamo Colleges in terms of Student Success. Even though the Alamo Colleges waives tuition for dual-credit programs, including the academies, the total student graduate cost since 2001, including indirect costs and facilities, is $2,280,312. However, the high retention rate, industry paid internships and THECB contract hour reimbursement generated $3,351,105 in program revenues. This represents a POSITIVE 1:47 ratio. Thus, for every dollar invested in the program there is a positive return of $.47 cents to the Alamo Colleges. This translates to $1,070,793 ROI return since the inception of the program. Table 7 Alamo Area Academies Cost Per Completer/Benefit Ratio A. Approximate Cost/Student 2 Year Program $3,128 B. # of Academies Graduates 729 C. Academies Graduates Total Costs (Expense) $2,280,312 D. Academies Students THECB Contact Hour (Revenue) $3,351,105 E. Difference (Revenue - Expenses) $1,070,793 F. Cost/Benefit Ratio per Graduate $1,469 G. Cost to Revenue Ratio- ROI (C/B):(D/B) Cost per Student Success for Completers: Table 7 highlights the unique contribution of each Academy partner with the partner s contribution ranging between 21 to 28% of overall costs to operate the Academies. The Alamo Colleges cost to produce an Alamo Area Academies completer/graduate over the 2 year program of studies is approximately $3,100. Positive Revenue Stream Produces Efficient Cost/Benefit Ratio Per Student of +1.47: Factoring in the contact hour reimbursement for Academy students against the Alamo Colleges expenses, the cost/benefit ratio (Table 7) for each Academy graduate is approximately $1,470. Industry and Cost Benefit of $6.1 Million: In addition to a positive financial investment, the Academies support the region s economic development efforts by helping to recruit qualified employees in the Aerospace, Advanced Technology and Manufacturing, Information Technology and Security and the Health Profession sectors. The CEO of ITM, a local manufacturing and engineering firm, the Chair of the San

8 8 Antonio Manufactures Association Education Committee and key representatives from the Aerospace industry, estimate the cost of recruiting a qualified technician at approximately $20,000. The Academies have successfully placed 306 STEM qualified skilled employees in jobs across these various sectors, a $6.1 million savings for the community and industry partners. The Alamo Colleges also benefits as approximately 60% of Academy graduates pursue gaining completion of their Associate Degrees or other industry recognized certifications. Of the 729 students that the program has graduated over the last ten years, 42% or 306 were hired after graduation to work in targeted STEM industries. Among Aerospace Academy graduates, 70% were hired by regional aerospace employers; and for Advanced Technology & Manufacturing graduates, the figure is 44%. The number of industry partners and their commitment to the program reflects the vital importance of the Academies in building a qualified STEM workforce. The majority of employers also sponsor further credentialing, certification or degree opportunities. Improving the earning prospects of students by 45%: Alamo Area Academy graduates immediately entering the workforce over the past two years had starting salary and benefits totaling $34,700. This is a 45% increase compared to the area median income for high-school graduates of $24,000. In the last three years, Academy students have received over $1.7 million in industry-paid scholarships opening the opportunities of higher education and a successful STEM career while minimizing the burden of educational debt. Increasing Students and Parents Understanding of the Benefits of Postsecondary Attainment: An additional attribute critical to the Alamo Area Academies successful student participation and student success outcomes is the tracking of recruitment variables to ensure all students and their parents understand the benefits of higher education and what is necessary to prepare academically and financially for college. The Academies staff and partners understand this philosophy and have executed a myriad of strategies to achieve the documented success. The following chart (Table 8) highlights the last four years of Academies staff, graduates and industry partners reaching out to the pool of high school students and their parents to obtain the Closing the Gaps goals and resulting in a steady increase in student participation and student success. Table 8 Alamo Area Academies Recruiting Venues Recruiting Events Classroom Presentation Cafeteria/Auditorium Visit Career Day/College Fair Tours Parent Night Counselor Presentation Total

9 9 Other Evidence of Community Benefit: Marketing STEM Fields The estimated advertisement value of this article is $10,000 based on news coverage on community, city, and regional TV, Radio, and E-Based distributions - Student Success: Cyber Patriot National Champions (Press Release, March 24th, 2012): Move over March Madness, we have a local team with some serious skills to celebrate. The team from the Information Technology and Security Academy (ITSA) of the Alamo Academies was crowned national champions Friday night (March 23, 2012) at the annual CyberPatriot competition held in National Harbour, MD. They beat out 11 other national qualifying teams. The team returns to Alamo City Sunday evening and will be greeted by Mayor Julian Castro at the airport.this was the second year the ITSA team made it to Maryland, and three students repeated the trip. They took home third place in San Antonio has become recognized nationally for excellence in the cybersecurity industry and in cyber education. CyberPatriot is the premiere national high school cyber defense competition created to inspire high school students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation s defense. CyberPatriot is the national high school cyber defense competition created by the Air Force Association (AFA) to excite, educate, and motivate the next generation of cyber defenders and other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates. The demographic and community makeup of the Alamo Area Academies National Championship team (3 Hispanics, 1 Black and 2 White, 5 high schools, 4 ISDs) holding up the Championship trophy in National Harbour, MD demonstrates the Academies success achieving the Closing the Gaps goals. Academies students left to right: Robert Flores: Team Captain/holding trophy, Judson HS, Judson ISD; Theodore Belitsos: Lee HS, North East ISD; Kenny Bias: Brackenridge HS, San Antonio ISD; Brian Carvan, Judson HS, Judson ISD; Tommy Roberts: Warren HS, Northside ISD; Mario Puente: Brennan HS, Northside ISD. A Student Success Profile: Changing Lives Annette Enriquez Academy Graduate invited to meet President Obama PRICELESS! A First-Time in College student and First-Generation American, Annette Enriquez graduated from the McCollum High School and from the Alamo Aerospace Academy in She was invited to participate at a national press conference by President Obama. While she was unable to attend, a fellow academies alumnus substituted for Annette and met president Obama at the Northern Virginia Community College

10 10 Campus Career Pathway Press Conference last year. In addition to her diploma, Ms. Enriquez received a Level One Certificate of Completion for Aircraft Structures Mechanic. She is currently a Contract Coordinator Specialist, procuring government and private contracts for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in San Antonio. Ms. Enriquez initially learned about the Academies program from her high school teacher and one of the Academies coordinators. Once she was accepted and taking classes, Ms. Enriquez forged strong friendships with other program students and college teachers, many of whom helped her better understand college affordability options and the application processes. Ms. Enriquez s internship between her 11th and 12th grade was with the 433rd Airlift Wing, a C5 Air Force Reserve Unit, where she assisted with the repair and maintenance of aircraft ground equipment and learned applied skills in sheet metal, flight line and bonding work. During this internship, Ms. Enriquez worked hand-in-hand with military personnel and was able to benefit from a true mentorship experience. The team she worked with guided her on the jobsite and carefully monitored her work, while encouraging her progress through the Aerospace Academy. Upon graduation, Ms. Enriquez completed a second summer internship with the 433rd Airlift Wing and upon completion she received an offer from Lockheed Martin for a permanent position. Between 2005 and 2008, she continued to work at Lockheed Martin as a mechanic and earned two Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees: one in Aircraft Mechanic Airframe and the other in Aircraft Mechanic Powerplant. Ms. Enriquez is the first woman to graduate from the Aerospace Academy and receive these AAS degrees. She is also the first woman to graduate from the Academies and receive certifications from the FAA in Airframe and Powerplant, both of which required her to successfully complete written, oral and practice examinations. In 2010, Ms. Enriquez earned her Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics at Embry- Riddle Aeronautical University. She remains in her current position with Lockheed Martin, the company that provided her professional start and sponsored her postsecondary education and training. Ms. Enriquez has continued the path of advancement that began with the Alamo Area Academies by beginning in 2011 to work towards a Master s in Business Administration at the University of Texas San Antonio. In conclusion, the nationally recognized, unique and successful Alamo Area Academies dual-credit program of studies could easily serve as a cost effective model for other institutions and communities to implement in their efforts to achieve the Closing the Gaps goals. In closing, the Alamo Area Academies model is a winwin-win : a win for high-need students that gain unique college and career opportunities in high-growth, high-wage fields; a win for high-tech employers that badly need a qualified STEM workforce; and a win for the economic future and competitiveness for the state of Texas. 1 Among program graduates, 90% earn a Level I Certificate of Completion, 8% earn a Marketable Skills Award and 2% qualify as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Currently, all program graduates earn between 31 and 34 hours of college credit. 2 Intercultural Development Research Association (2010), San Antonio Education Snapshot, available at