ALPHA Center

About SUP Initiative

The goal of the UCR School University Partnership Initiative is to connect the extraordinary resources of the university with the talents and vision of the K-12 educational community to address the pressing needs of K-12 students, teachers and schools while providing opportunities for undergraduate student professional development. The targeted goals are two fold:

• To increase the number and quality of K-12 students who meet UC eligibility requirements; and
• To enhance the capabilities of undergraduate students so that they become community conscious professionals who stay motivated toward degree completion.

The scope of the partnership encompasses activities that provide direct student services to K-12 students, teachers and administrators; curricular realignment of high school courses with UC requirements; and mentoring and financial assistance to undergraduate students.

Benefits/Activities

Participants will engage in activities that focus K-12 students on college eligibility goals, which will help provide them with a guide for the journey beyond grade school. Special emphasis is placed on success in mathematics as related to college entrance. Options include:

• Clarification of A-G requirements
• Standardized test preparation
• Access to college mentors and tutors
• Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) assistance
• Summer Academies
• College tours
• Assistance with financial aid information

Who

SUP supports collaborative efforts between teachers, administrators and UCR faculty. These efforts provide educators with a stronger contemporary knowledge of the content they are teaching, and allow them support systems necessary for best practices in teaching. Activities include:

• Links to UC technology
• UC Extension Center Certificate Programs
• Summer Academies
• Content based mini-courses
• Links with ongoing or upcoming research efforts

Apprentices

Selected apprentices will:

• Attend a mandatory summer preparation program and a fall orientation program.
• Provide 35-50 hours of service per quarter motivating/tutoring/helping students prepare for college, especially in the high need area of mathematics.
• Participate in meeting/seminars designed to enhance the SUP initiative.

College students who are in good academic standing may apply for an apprenticeship. Furthermore, apprentices can earn $25.00 per hour for focused school and/or community efforts, develop strong oral and written communication skills, and acquire professional networking skills.