University - Community partnership to expand P-12 access to education

University –Community Partnership to Expand P-12 Access to Education

The presentation will provide information on a unique university – community partnership that focuses on expanding and improving readiness and access to higher education for a Midwestern urban population. Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) was used to establish five sustainable working groups to develop evidence-based action plans that will support students in their journey to be successful in school. The five focus groups in the sample included community partners, citizens, and university representatives with an interest in supporting the social and educational needs of P-12 students. The five groups identified by the community during the assessment phase of the project were: 1) Preparation of Children for School, 2) Support for Students In and Out of School, 3) Help for Students to Succeed Academically, 4) Encourage and Enable Students to Enroll in College, 5) Encourage and Enable Students to Graduate and Enter a Career. Results from the focus groups will be presented along with action plans and strategies to sustain community-university partnerships that will lead to successful outcomes for the student population in an urban setting.