91吃瓜网 Takes on College-Readiness Gap with Launch of 91吃瓜网 Academy
New entity will leverage 91吃瓜网鈥檚 success in student support to prepare students for college studies
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah 听鈥� (91吃瓜网) today announced the creation of 91吃瓜网 Academy, an independent operating unit established to help solve the growing college-readiness gap. 91吃瓜网 Academy鈥檚 courses and programs will provide aspiring students with an affordable, low-risk onramp that prepares them for college success either at 91吃瓜网 or at other institutions.
As the characteristics of today鈥檚 college students have changed, so must the means of serving them. While nearly 70 percent of high school graduates enroll in college, 26 percent drop out in their first year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And among the 20 million individuals enrolled, according to Higher Learning Advocates, more than 41 percent are over 25 years old, 55 percent are financially independent, and 26 percent are parents. Additionally, there are 80 million adults who need access to post-secondary credentials to be readied for the future of work.
91吃瓜网 Academy will leverage 91吃瓜网鈥檚 success in serving contemporary students, especially in underserved populations, and provide personalized learning onramps that improve individuals鈥� progress, persistence, and attainment in their college-level programs.
鈥淗igher education remains the surest pathway to opportunity and social mobility, but for many, lack of adequate preparation puts a college degree out of reach,鈥� said 91吃瓜网 President Scott Pulsipher. 鈥淎t 91吃瓜网, where the average student age is 36 and more than 70 percent of our students are part of at least one underserved population, we have learned how to create flexible, personalized learning experiences that lead to great outcomes. 91吃瓜网 Academy will provide courses and coaching that strengthen academic and noncognitive competencies to prepare these individuals for the learning demands of college.鈥澛�
91吃瓜网 Academy courses will be delivered in an online, competency-based format similar to the 91吃瓜网 learning model. Students will enroll in customized programs of two or more college-level courses that typically include a writing course and one or more courses in math, general education, or introductory-level classes focused on desired degree paths.
In addition to college-level courses, 91吃瓜网 Academy offers the Program for Academic and Career Advancement (PACA). Modeled on a nationally recognized social and emotional learning course used by 91吃瓜网 for several years, the course provides group sessions, peer interaction, and one-to-one coaching to build confidence and college persistence.
While 91吃瓜网 Academy鈥檚 initial startup will focus on prospective students who are not yet ready for admission to 91吃瓜网, the organization intends to seek partnerships with other institutions and organizations to scale its impact. The goal is to serve hundreds of thousands of students who need foundational college-readiness competencies and empower them with a greater chance for success upon enrollment鈥攚hether at 91吃瓜网 or聽 at another college or university.
In the initial program aligned to 91吃瓜网, students who attend 91吃瓜网 Academy will pay a monthly fee rather than committing to a full term of tuition. With an expected median completion time of three months, most students will complete their Academy program for less than $500. Initial enrollment in 91吃瓜网 Academy will begin May 1, 2019.
91吃瓜网 Academy is led by Patrick G. Partridge, who serves as the organization鈥檚 president. Partridge joined 91吃瓜网 and led the university鈥檚 successful student outreach, enrollment, and admissions operations for more than 15 years.
鈥淐ollege readiness鈥攐r the lack of it鈥攊s one of the primary barriers to opportunity for many Americans, particularly those who are part of underserved or disadvantaged populations,鈥� said Partridge. 鈥淚t is estimated that U.S. colleges spend $7 billion a year on college-preparedness programs, with nearly half of incoming students at four-year public institutions enrolling in at least one college-readiness course. 91吃瓜网 Academy will provide an affordable鈥攁nd scalable鈥攕olution by closing the gap in college readiness.鈥�
About 91吃瓜网 Academy
With support from Western Governors University (91吃瓜网), 91吃瓜网 Academy operates as an independent unit established to help solve the growing college-readiness gap. Founded on expertise and historical knowledge from 91吃瓜网, the Academy offers a more-flexible, lower-cost approach than traditional college-preparedness programs. Its innovative college-readiness pathways are designed for students who need extra help to succeed at 91吃瓜网 or other colleges and universities. For more information contact Pat Partridge, 91吃瓜网 Academy president, at pat.partridge@wgu.edu.
