| Executive Summary
The purpose of this proposal is to increase student access to and retention in their academic degree programs by providing intrusive academic support services in both mathematics and the sciences. In the fall of 2002, IUN implemented a Critical Literacy Program (CLP) with a mandatory curriculum to address the needs of the growing number of under-prepared and underrepresented students seeking admission into the university and academic programs of study such as in the health professions and education . The Critical Literacy Curriculum (CLC) was designed to strengthen the students' foundational skills. The curriculum consists of 12 credit hours of specific course work focused on basic reading, writing and study skills. After completion of the CLC, we have found that students have been able to successfully transition into most college level work. However, students continue to have difficulties in basic mathematics and science courses even after they have successfully completed the CLC.
Students are admitted into the CLP based upon their high academic need s as defined by their academic history, high school class rank, SAT score , and their placement test scores. CLP students typically score approximately 200 points below the average SAT score of students who qualify for regular admission. Without the CLP these students would not be admitted. Minority students make up a disproportionate number of these students. Approximately fifty percent (49.26%) of these students are from minority groups.
The proposed services are designed to foster a campus climate that will support the success of the students in the CLP with respect to access, retention and graduation at IUN. The project will support creative and innovative efforts, including (1) funds for tutors and supplemental instructors in the areas of mathematics and science; and (2) initiation of a program of intrusive academic monitoring in mathematics and the sciences for the CLP cohort. This project will provide the needed assistance to enable academically under-prepared and underrepresented students to gain the skills and proficiencies necessary to make satisfactory academic progress, and to successfully pass required professional tests and graduate.
The success of the project will be measured by (1) an increase in the number of CLP students who successfully complete required math/science courses; (2 ) an increase in the rate of acceptance of CLP students into degree programs; (3) an increase in the rate of acceptance of minority students into degree programs; (4) improved grade point averages for CLP students; and (5) an increase in the CLP students' rate of persistence to completion of educational programs.
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