Inez E. Cohen, Coordinator,
College Partnership Program
571-423-4410
Fairfax County Schools Administration Center
8115 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
|
 |
Program
Overview
The Fairfax
County Public Schools (FCPS) College Partnership Program
(CPP),
which began in 1989, is a successful collaboration involving
colleges and universities, corporate members of the Fairfax
County Public Schools Education Foundation, Inc., parents,
and the school system. Identified as one of the most
comprehensive partnerships in the country and included
in Reaching for
College, a U.S. Department of Education publication,
the program serves approximately 2,000 students in grades
seven
through twelve from 50 FCPS high and middle schools.
Graduating an average of 300 students per year for the
past 20 years,
the CPP continues to experience a high success rate in
the number of graduates who enroll in college. Since 1989, CPP has served over 25,000 students.
The
program goals are to increase the academic achievement of
students and to increase the number of students, particularly
first generation and minority
students, who enroll in CPP and succeed in college. The CPP creates opportunities
for students to successfully navigate the home, school, college, and work
continuum. Participating
colleges and universities sponsor a variety of activities
to increase students’ and
parents’ knowledge and understanding of higher education programs and college life and
to enhance students’ motivation for higher academic achievement.
The FCPS Education Foundation Inc. supports the program by linking employees
of local businesses and student participants to provide work experiences,
adult mentors, and the opportunity to see the way corporate America manages
its activities.
CPP helps and supports participating students to ensure enrollment in and successful
completion of the courses required for college entrance and coordinates
all components of the program.
|
Back to
top
Program
Organization
The
CPP staff, with support provided by school-based program
advocates, coordinates divisionwide activities; maintains
contact between FCPS and participating institutions; plans
and implements college orientation visits; develops various
program components; serves as the liaison between institutions,
FCPS, the Education Foundation Inc., and parents; supports
program advocate and cluster activities; and generally
oversees program operations.
Program advocates are the school-based coordinators for the CPP. They work
closely with students and provide the first level of contact for all program
activities. Working closely with CPP staff members and guidance counselors,
program advocates provide cluster activities that support CPP goals and
monitor students’ participation
in those activities. In addition, program advocates discuss Virginia high
school diploma options and course selection opportunities.
Back to
top
Student
Participants
The College Partnership Program has approximately 2000 student participants
in grades 7 through 12, distributed among all FCPS middle schools, high schools,
and secondary schools. Criteria for a student’s
selection include: (1) represents first generation college attendance, (2)
shows potential for high academic achievement but has not consistently demonstrated
it, (3) demonstrates ability to complete college work but may need motivation
to sustain interest, (4) represents a family with income insufficient to support
college without financial assistance, (5) demonstrates interest in and enthusiasm
for learning and school, and (6) demonstrates leadership in school activities.
At the middle school level, students are exposed to information and activities
that allow them to create a vision, set goals, and develop strategies that
will direct them toward college choices and career choices. Annually, rising
ninth grade students are selected to participate in the high school program
and remain in it until graduation. Teachers, administrators, and/or community
leaders recommend students to apply for admission to the CPP. Completed
applications and written recommendations are required. Selection of students
is made by a committee of FCPS staff and facilitated by the CPP coordinator.
Each high school participant is assigned a College Preparatory Cluster
that meets regularly at the high school throughout the year to strengthen
skills and to prepare for activities associated with
the College Partnership Program.
Interested in Applying?
The high school program is selective and students must
apply for admission. Interested students should contact
the Director of School Counseling at their local high
school to obtain an application form before October
31st of each school year.
The middle school program is open to all. Interested students
should contact the After-School Program Specialist (ASPS)
at their local middle school.
Back to
top
College
and University Partners
Each
participating college and university has a written partnership
agreement that describes the conditions of its participation.
The agreement identifies the number of students to participate
in the institution’s planned activities; the academic expectations for the students; descriptions
of educational, cultural, and social activities planned
for the campus and in the Fairfax County metropolitan
area; expectations for parents of student participants;
types of financial assistance available to students;
and a promise of admission for students who successfully
complete the program and meet admissions specific requirements.
The following institutions are partners in the College Partnership Program:
Albion
College
American University
Bowie State University
College of William and Mary
College of Wooster
Denison University
DePauw University
Earlham College
George Mason University
George Washington University
Grinnell College
Hollins University
Hope College
Howard University
James Madison University
Kalamazoo College
Kenyon College
Lincoln University
Longwood College
Louisburg College
Lynchburg College
|
|
Mary
Baldwin College
Norfolk State University
Northern Virginia Community College
Oberlin College
Ohio Wesleyan University
Old Dominion University
Radford University
Randolph-Macon College
Randolph-Macon Woman’s
College
Roanoke CollegeTemple
University
Temple University
Towson University
Trinity College
Tuskegee University
University of Maryland
University of Mary Washington
University of Richmond
University of Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Military Institute
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia State University
Wabash College
Washington and Lee University
Winston-Salem State University
|
Back to top
Program
Features
The essential
elements of the CPP, include college orientation, academic
counseling and monitoring, academic support, personal development
training, and parent involvement.
| College
Orientation |
|
Provided
by colleges and universities. Includes college
and career planning, financial aid options, residential
enrichment programs, and campus visits. |
| Academic
Counseling |
|
Provided
by school counselors, college representatives,
and school-based program advocates with assistance from CPP
staff to maintain ongoing support for students and parents. |
| Academic
Support |
|
Provided
by FCPS. An accurate and current list of tutors and summer opportunities
is available on
http://www.fcps/ss/StudentServices/schoolcounseling |
| Personal
Development |
|
Facilitated
by school-based program advocates and CPP staff members to empower
students with ability to think independently, communicate effectively,
manage conflicts, set goals, and develop leadership skills. |
| Parent
Involvement |
|
Provided by parents of students at each school. Includes learning
experiences and activities for students such as
chess, investment planning, money management, and guest speakers. |
| Parent Education Program (PEP) |
|
Provided by the CPP staff. PEP consists of four
workshops and parents are expected to participate in the program. |
Back to
top
College
Partnership Program Staff
Inez E. Cohen: Coordinator, College Partnership Program
Tim Dodson: Specialist
Gail Allison, Ph.D.: Specialist
Shelia Peoples: Administrative Assistant
For additional information about the High School Program:
Inez E. Cohen
Coordinator, College Partnership Program
Office of Student Services
Fairfax County Public Schools
8115 Gatehouse Road, Suite 4700
Falls Church, VA 22042
571-423-4410
571-423-4417 (FAX)
Inez.cohen@fcps.edu
www.fcps.edu/ss/StudentServices/CollegePartnership
For additional information about the Middle School Program:
Mark H. Emery, Ph.D.
Administrator, Office of After-School Programs
Fairfax County Public Schools
8115 Gatehouse Road, Suite 5100
Falls Church, VA 22042
571-423-1270
571-423-1267 (FAX)
Mark.emery@fcps.edu
www.fcps.edu/supt/activities/afterschool.htm
|
