American Association of Community Colleges 89 th Annual convention Phoenix, Arizona April American Association of Community Colleges

Transcription

1 89 th Annual convention Phoenix, Arizona April 2009

2 Presenters Teresita Wisell, Director Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education Israel Mendoza, Director, Adult Basic Education Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges Raul Ramirez, Vice Chancellor Community Relations & Institutional Outreach Pima Community College

3 Community colleges are the obvious staging grounds for trying to close many of the gaps in American life They can close the gap between the immigrant promise and the immigrant experience by integrating new Americans into our national life. National Commission on Community Colleges, Winning the skills race and strengthening America s middle class: An action agenda for community colleges. New York, The College Board

4 Today s Presentation Overview of immigrant students in U.S. Challenges faced by students & community colleges Successful initiatives CCCIE: Who are we? How can community colleges support each other? Recommendations/suggestions Discussion/Questions & Answers

5 37.5 Million Immigrants in 2006: 12.5 % of US Population Foreign-Born Population (millions) Percent Foreign-Born of Total 14.8% Over 40 Million (2010) 37.5 Million (2006) 13+ Percent (2010) % 4.7% Source: US Census Bureau s data; Analyses by the Migration Policy Institute and the Urban Institute. (2006)

6 More States Feel the Impact of Immigration: Largest and Fastest-Growing Immigrant States

7 Immigrants in the U.S. Legal permanent residents (LPRs) 28% Unauthorized migrants 30% Refugees 7% Legal temporary residents 3% Naturalized citizens 31% 37.5 Million Foreign Born in 2006 Source: Urban Institute estimates.

8 Who are community college immigrant students? Community colleges enroll almost half of all U.S. undergrads 24% of credit students come from an immigrant background As important as credit classes, are the non-credit classes offered by community colleges: Adult Basic Education ESL Computer skills Civics Education & Citizenship Centers Family Literacy Work Force Training and VESL College degree or certificate Self- improvement Assistance with credentialing foreign education

9 Challenges facing immigrant students Difficulty gaining access to higher education Financial constraints Limited English proficiency Limited formal education Differences in culture/ expectations Family/work responsibilities Difficulty with credentialing experience/education from their home countries Minimal access to career pathways from ESL to job skills to employment Issues of documentation for approx 30% of immigrants

10 Challenges facing community colleges Rethink how we meet immigrant population where they are; not by our current standards Responding to varying levels and needs of LEP and remediation Creating career pathways that overlap ESL and workforce training minimizing completion time when possible Developing new funding mechanisms to assist in tuition and program expenses Proper assessment of skills and strengths of immigrant population and appropriate programs to fill in the gaps Fostering a climate within the college and the community that recognizes the importance of this work

11 Successful Programs & Strategies Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges Success in Data Gathering and Assessment Pima Community College Recruiting a Diverse Faculty Westchester Community College The Gateway Center A State of Mind

12 Economic attainment: 1 year of college level credits + a credential is the tipping point for students needing to find career pathways Study tracked 35,000 working age adult students who came to CTC s with high school education or less, or non-english-speaking 6 years after college start, the highest value-added for work success 1 year + credential gives future earnings bump: = $7,000 more per year for ESL students = $8,500 more per year for an ABE student = $2,700 and $1,700 more per year (respectively) for workforce students entering with a GED or HSD only Jobs that need 1 year college level credit + credential are among those in greatest demand 12

13 Up and down the Educational Pipeline, the 2-yr system is hemorrhaging working age adults with high school education or less, or ESL Entering Classes: Almost 1/3 of every new entering class is made up of prime working age (25-49) - with HSDs or less or non-english speaking. 8 out of 10 ABE/ESL = modest skills gains, at best earn a GED but go no further 7 out of 10 workforce and transfer students who enter with GED leave with less (many, a lot less) than 1 year of college and no credential 2 out of 3 who enter with high school diploma also leave with less (some, a lot less) than 1 year of college and no credential 13

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17 What is I-BEST? Pairs a basic skills instructor with a professional-technical instructor in the same classroom at the same time Provides academic and workforce skills that lead to a living wage job on a viable career path 17

18 How does I-BEST fit with other initiatives for low-income workers? Opportunity Grants program Out of School Youth I-BEST Workplace Basics I-BEST Student Achievement Initiative 18

19 Potential Faculty Retirements for PCC 4 182n White - 82% Black - 2% Hispanic - 12% 150 Asian or P.I. - 2% Native American - 2% 100 females 55% 82 males 45%

20 Special Recruitment Efforts Recruitment Efforts at major universities in: Ohio Texas New Mexico Arizona Illinois Recruitment Activities at: HACU AACC NCCHC Nursing and Allied Health Organizations DOD Minority Institutions Initiatives Recruitment Materials

21 The Gateway Center at Westchester Community College Creating a State of Mind Institutional Commitment Communication & Repetition of Message Opportunities for Participation

22 Created in July 2008 Funded by the JM Kaplan Fund Supported by Westchester Community College, NY Organization Year 1: Director Founding Members & Institutions Blue Ribbon Panel

23 Who are we? CCCIE is composed of representatives from community colleges that demonstrate a commitment to immigrant education through their innovative programming and services for immigrants. Representatives from community college associations, experts in TESOL and researchers of immigrant education issues are also members of CCCIE.

24 Founding Members Alamo Community College District, TX Bunker Hill Community College, MA Johnson County Community College, KS LaGuardia Community College, NY Miami Dade College, FL Luzerne Community College, PA Northern Virginia Community College, VA Pima Community College, AZ Rio Hondo College, CA Washington State Board of Community and Technical Colleges, WA Westchester Community College, NY National Community College Hispanic Council Migration Policy Institute

25 Our Mission CCCIE recognizes that providing effective education for immigrants is crucial, not only to ensure immigrants personal success in America, but to promote social vibrancy and economic growth locally, regionally and nationally. Our mission is to raise awareness of the important role community colleges play in delivering educational opportunities to immigrants, and to promote and expand the range and quality of programs for immigrant students among community colleges around the country.

26 The Future - Recommendations Rethink our mission and service as a system of community colleges nationally Actively support the DREAM Act by contacting local and state representatives Participate in a national conversation about the impact on & role of community colleges when the DREAM Act is passed Advocate for funds through economic stimulus and Recovery Act funds to allow for community colleges Collaborate closely with CBOs to reach target populations Establish strong system of tracking outcomes to support efforts for immigrant education & training Publicize successful outcomes (students and programs) as they support local and state economy

27 Discussion & Contact Information Teresita Wisell, Director Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education Israel Mendoza, Director, Adult Basic Education Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges Raul Ramirez, Vice Chancellor, Community Relations & Institutional Outreach Pima Community College