You're in! That's the message being sent to thousands of students in Carlsbad thanks to a new agreement between Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) and California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), providing students the opportunity to take advantage of a fast-track plan that guarantees admission to the university if all admission requirements and deadlines are met.
In a special ceremony held during a regular district board meeting on Dec. 4, CSUSM President Karen Haynes and CUSD Superintendent Suzette Lovely signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines the compact.
"Today we are affirming our commitment to educating the students of our region and to being stewards of change for our schools and our communities," said Haynes. "We are partnering for a common good."
A Roadmap to College Success
The agreement sets a structured roadmap to college success, improving university accessibility for Carlsbad students. It promises that all graduating seniors, from the class of 2017 and beyond, will receive guaranteed admission to CSUSM if they meet California State University (CSU) eligibility requirements and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Not only does this MOU guarantee admission to CSUSM but it helps students become college-ready, qualified to apply to any of the CSU system's 22 other campuses.
As part of the agreement, CSUSM will assist in the creation of professional training opportunities for CUSD teachers, develop a parent and student orientation and visitation program for pre-collegiate advising, assist in the recruitment of CSUSM college students as tutors in CUSD middle and high schools, and will encourage Cal State San Marcos alumni to volunteer as speakers or mentors in District schools.
New 'Alliance' formed
Recently the Price Family Charitable Foundation agreed to provide CSUSM with $555,000 in initial funding over three years to address core, foundational goals of the University's guaranteed admission initiative through a project called The Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education.
The alliance will oversee the eleven other guaranteed admission programs that CSUSM has with regional districts and partner organizations, helping to create a strong, integrated program that supports teachers, students and families. For example, the alliance is developing a joint faculty development program between Cal State San Marcos professors and area high school teachers will help ensure a seamless transition for students as they leave high school and enter college.
"The MOUs are a unique part of what we do here," said Patricia Prado-Olmos, director of the alliance. "We support students long before the come to us, beginning as early as middle school. This gives young students the opportunity to focus on the goal of college and to prepare for admissions."
A Transformative Effect
Approximately 435 students have come to CSUSM through established agreements so far. These students have higher GPAs and retention rates and require less remediation, proving that the agreements are working.
"CSUSM firmly believes in the transformative effect education can have on families," said Haynes.
"We know that our signing these MOU's is about more than institutions coming together; it's about forging stronger relationships with parents, businesses and civic leaders. It's about engaging with our region to ensure our students' success, to ensure that students know what's expected of them and how we will support them.
When our students earn their college degree and take that knowledge back to their neighborhoods, start businesses or become involved citizens, we all win."
In a special ceremony held during a regular district board meeting on Dec. 4, CSUSM President Karen Haynes and CUSD Superintendent Suzette Lovely signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlines the compact.
"Today we are affirming our commitment to educating the students of our region and to being stewards of change for our schools and our communities," said Haynes. "We are partnering for a common good."
A Roadmap to College Success
The agreement sets a structured roadmap to college success, improving university accessibility for Carlsbad students. It promises that all graduating seniors, from the class of 2017 and beyond, will receive guaranteed admission to CSUSM if they meet California State University (CSU) eligibility requirements and a minimum GPA of 3.0. Not only does this MOU guarantee admission to CSUSM but it helps students become college-ready, qualified to apply to any of the CSU system's 22 other campuses.
As part of the agreement, CSUSM will assist in the creation of professional training opportunities for CUSD teachers, develop a parent and student orientation and visitation program for pre-collegiate advising, assist in the recruitment of CSUSM college students as tutors in CUSD middle and high schools, and will encourage Cal State San Marcos alumni to volunteer as speakers or mentors in District schools.
New 'Alliance' formed
Recently the Price Family Charitable Foundation agreed to provide CSUSM with $555,000 in initial funding over three years to address core, foundational goals of the University's guaranteed admission initiative through a project called The Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education.
The alliance will oversee the eleven other guaranteed admission programs that CSUSM has with regional districts and partner organizations, helping to create a strong, integrated program that supports teachers, students and families. For example, the alliance is developing a joint faculty development program between Cal State San Marcos professors and area high school teachers will help ensure a seamless transition for students as they leave high school and enter college.
"The MOUs are a unique part of what we do here," said Patricia Prado-Olmos, director of the alliance. "We support students long before the come to us, beginning as early as middle school. This gives young students the opportunity to focus on the goal of college and to prepare for admissions."
A Transformative Effect
Approximately 435 students have come to CSUSM through established agreements so far. These students have higher GPAs and retention rates and require less remediation, proving that the agreements are working.
"CSUSM firmly believes in the transformative effect education can have on families," said Haynes.
"We know that our signing these MOU's is about more than institutions coming together; it's about forging stronger relationships with parents, businesses and civic leaders. It's about engaging with our region to ensure our students' success, to ensure that students know what's expected of them and how we will support them.
When our students earn their college degree and take that knowledge back to their neighborhoods, start businesses or become involved citizens, we all win."