A partnership between:A partnership between:Kwantlen University CollegeKwantlen University College

SPARK Education FoundationSPARK Education FoundationSurrey School District (Tamanawis & Princess Margaret) Surrey School District (Tamanawis & Princess Margaret)

BC Provincial GovernmentBC Provincial Government

The Mission of SPARK:The Mission of SPARK: Promote post-secondary participation and Promote post-secondary participation and success in our Surrey communitysuccess in our Surrey community

Make a positive difference for students, families, schools, our communities and … the world!

The Genesis of SPARKThe Genesis of SPARK

Community concernCommunity concern

Quick action and request to KwantlenQuick action and request to Kwantlen

Selection of a model and initial partnersSelection of a model and initial partners

Rapid startRapid start

Approaching the provincial government & their Approaching the provincial government & their commitmentcommitment

Where are we now?Where are we now?

SPARK PartnersSPARK Partners

The SPARK Education FoundationThe SPARK Education Foundation

Kwantlen University CollegeKwantlen University College

Surrey School DistrictSurrey School District

Tamanawis & Princess Margaret Secondary SchoolsTamanawis & Princess Margaret Secondary Schools

BC Ministry of Advanced Education & Ministry of BC Ministry of Advanced Education & Ministry of EducationEducation

Students, parentsStudents, parents

Donor individuals and local companiesDonor individuals and local companies

Promoting SPARK to students, parents, donorsPromoting SPARK to students, parents, donors

How do we identify the right students?How do we identify the right students?

How do we attract them?How do we attract them?

The challenges of targeting the “nonstars”The challenges of targeting the “nonstars”– Creating and enforcing standardsCreating and enforcing standards– How to measure success?How to measure success?– Program’s informal reputationProgram’s informal reputation

Less likely to be unemployed

Higher annual earnings on average

Better job security much more likely

The Benefits of Post-Secondary Education

Over 70% of all new job openings Over 70% of all new job openings require some form of post-require some form of post-secondary education.secondary education.

Health Benefits…Health Benefits…

Better physical health on average

Longer life expectancy

Better psychological health

Lower job-related mortality rates

Less likelihood of involvement in crime

How does Spark work?

Students starting a new chapter:Students starting a new chapter: Spark OrientationSpark Orientation

Program TimelineProgram TimelineJanuary StartJanuary StartGrade 11 YearGrade 11 Year

November November Students selected for SPARK:Students selected for SPARK:

JANUARY – April (Spring Semester)JANUARY – April (Spring Semester) Complete English course at KwantlenComplete English course at Kwantlen

SUMMER SEMESTER (May to August 2007)SUMMER SEMESTER (May to August 2007) If required, complete Kwantlen English upgrading workIf required, complete Kwantlen English upgrading work

Note: The above courses are Tuition-free. Books & materials are Note: The above courses are Tuition-free. Books & materials are the responsibility of the student/family.the responsibility of the student/family.

Program TimelineProgram Timeline

Grade 12 YearGrade 12 Year

September (Fall Semester) September (Fall Semester) (Tuition-free)(Tuition-free) Complete UNIV 1100 (3 cr) (Intro to University/College Studies)Complete UNIV 1100 (3 cr) (Intro to University/College Studies) JANUARY – April (Spring Semester) JANUARY – April (Spring Semester) (Tuition-free)(Tuition-free) Complete an elective course at Kwantlen (or English work if Complete an elective course at Kwantlen (or English work if necessary)necessary)

SUMMER SUMMER Attend Orientation Programs, register for fall coursesAttend Orientation Programs, register for fall courses

UNIV 1100UNIV 1100 (3 cr) (3 cr)

Intro to University/College StudiesIntro to University/College Studies

The goal: Promote early successThe goal: Promote early success•Orientation to university life, standards, servicesOrientation to university life, standards, services•Learning at the post-secondary levelLearning at the post-secondary level•Academic research & writingAcademic research & writing•Personal managementPersonal management•Educational research & planningEducational research & planning

A course designed to help with transition:

Program TimelineProgram Timeline

First Two Years out of High School:First Two Years out of High School:

Full-time studies in post-secondary with partial tuition Full-time studies in post-secondary with partial tuition support via SPARK Scholarship fundsupport via SPARK Scholarship fund

Level of access to SPARK scholarship funds is based on student Level of access to SPARK scholarship funds is based on student performance and effort, as well as community fundraising contributionsperformance and effort, as well as community fundraising contributions

Books & materials are the responsibility of the student/family.Books & materials are the responsibility of the student/family.

Benefits of SPARKBenefits of SPARK 3-4 tuition-free courses at Kwantlen during last two years of 3-4 tuition-free courses at Kwantlen during last two years of high schoolhigh school Ongoing support, encouragement and challenge from a Ongoing support, encouragement and challenge from a SPARK Program Assistant—invaluable!SPARK Program Assistant—invaluable!Tuition support via scholarships for 1Tuition support via scholarships for 1stst & 2 & 2ndnd year out of high year out of high school at Kwantlen (or other post-secondary)school at Kwantlen (or other post-secondary)Additional support services at Kwantlen to assist with Additional support services at Kwantlen to assist with transition to post-secondarytransition to post-secondaryRegistration status: earlier access to coursesRegistration status: earlier access to courses

Including the benefits received during high school, each student may Including the benefits received during high school, each student may receive up to $4,000 in tuition supportreceive up to $4,000 in tuition support

Where’s the magic?

The “So what” of what they get:

•Extra skill development in preparation for post-secondary

•Gradual transition from high school to post-secondary

•Financial help with tuition

•Personal and personalized contact

•Encouragement and challenge in the context of a mentor relationship (often with similar ethnicity due to program focus)

•A cohort of peers to take the challenge on together

•An office that will help make the system work or troubleshoot

•The underpinning message of belief in their ability

What do we require of students? What do we require of students?

Requirements of Requirements of SPARKSPARKKeep up good attendance at High School.Keep up good attendance at High School.Minimum C avg. and high school graduation.Minimum C avg. and high school graduation.Attain C in English 12 or equivalent by the summer after Attain C in English 12 or equivalent by the summer after graduation from high school.graduation from high school.Complete a progress report each semester.Complete a progress report each semester.Attend all Kwantlen classes, complete all class assignments Attend all Kwantlen classes, complete all class assignments and assessment tests.and assessment tests.Earn a C or better in all courses taken.Earn a C or better in all courses taken.Meet an Advisor to plan courses where directed.Meet an Advisor to plan courses where directed.

If requirements are not met, Kwantlen reserves the right to dismiss If requirements are not met, Kwantlen reserves the right to dismiss students from SPARK. Effort and circumstances are always considered.students from SPARK. Effort and circumstances are always considered.

Our goal is to support these students’ potential for Our goal is to support these students’ potential for successfully completing post-secondary successfully completing post-secondary education, whether a university degree, skilled education, whether a university degree, skilled trade, or anything in between.trade, or anything in between.

We support them even if they go to We support them even if they go to another post-secondary institution.another post-secondary institution.

Over 95% of SPARK students have graduated from high school so far (compared to 79% overall)

Over 80% are pursuing post-secondary education(compared to less than 30% overall)

How has it gone so far?

Sometimes we have to adjust our expectations of what improvement or success means…

“I haven’t been suspended at all this year!”

(SPARK student in conversation about some academic concerns)

…and on occasion we see SPARK students setting the bar for other post-secondary students…

“My best student turned out to be one of the SPARK students—they pushed the others.” Kwantlen Instructor

How has it gone so far?

Motivation to work hard (a must)

Good attendance and attitude (will be a must)

High school grades in the mid-range

Parents who may not have attended college

Financial need for support

Parental support for this commitment

Who do we accept into spark?

We believe challenging and supporting We believe challenging and supporting these students to pursue post-these students to pursue post-secondary studies will have a positive secondary studies will have a positive impact on their lives, families, impact on their lives, families, communities and far beyond.communities and far beyond.

•What course comes first? (UNIV 1100 or English upgrading)

•Extra work and schedules (sleepy?)

•Defining acceptable performance levels (what is the meaning of an ‘F’ or a ‘W’?)

•Making the post-secondary systems work (Admissions, Registration, Payments…)

•Integrating into university/college classes (cohort vs. integrating)

•Range of faculty attitudes (Various views on support)

•Irregularities in post-secondary life (Instructor absence)

•Fundraising activities draining time/energy

Ongoing Challenges & Lessons

“With my family’s full support to join the Spark Program, I’m hoping to change my family’s history by attending post-secondary.” SPARK student, ‘05

“This program started off as a scholarship,

but has turned into a life-changing experience.” R.B

SPARK Budget

Salaries & benefits $ 105,000 (mainly two program assistants)

Tuition & Scholarships: $ 140,000

Other: $ 5,000

In-kind Contributions: Priceless

Revenues:

BC Provincial Government Ministries: $200,000 per year

SPARK Foundation Fundraising goal: 50,000 per year

SPARK is very much a team effort