WASC FOCUS ON LEARNING
VISITING COMMITTEE REPORT
SAN MATEO ADULT AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Chapter
IV: Quality of the School's Program C. SUPPORT FOR STUDENT PERSONAL
AND ACADEMIC GROWTH C1. Student Connectedness Criterion To
what extent are students connected to a system of support services, activities,
and opportunities at the school and within the community that meet the challenges
of the curricular co-curricular program in order to achieve the ESLRs? The
San Mateo Adult School works with a culturally diverse population that includes
all socio-economic levels from 18 years of age and above. These students come
with a wide range of academic and personal goals and often have complex educational
needs. Staff members are committed to helping students obtain their goals by developing
a system of support services, activities, and opportunities at the School and
within the community. Students who were surveyed felt that staff members were
supportive, gave encouragement, and were professional. It was evident that the
staff has a "personalized approach" when working with students, and
that students feel comfortable approaching staff with personal issues such as
substance abuse, domestic violence, immigration issues, and housing problems. Advice,
support, and counseling are an integral part of offering students encouragement
to be successful. In the ESL Program, Student Services Aides offer individual
counseling and referral to community services. The aides visit the classes each
semester. Advisors and teachers in Adult Secondary and Basic Education also offer
individual counseling and support as part of the students' educational process.
Students' needs are determined during the intake process and support may include
advice on career paths, personal problems and challenges as well as academic help.
Parent Education provides support to students by offering encouragement and help
with their children. Parents have an opportunity to interact and develop their
own support group. In Vocational Education, instructors provide individual attention
to students in job search techniques as well as determining appropriate career
paths. Students in the Adults with Disabilities and Older Adult Programs often
have limitations and special needs that are addressed by the instructors, aides,
and Program Coordinator. The instructors work closely with the staff at these
sites to make sure the students' needs are being met. Students are provided
pertinent School and community information in several ways. The Smart Center has
a bulletin board that provides current information especially on subjects that
impact the older adult population. Staff members inform students about upcoming
events and community activities as well as refer students to community services.
On campus Career Day and Health Fairs are held for students. GED graduates are
not only mailed their test scores, but also receive information on job search
techniques and scholarships. Parent Education provides community information through
flyers, a bulletin board, and a Community Resource Binder. There is an active
day and night Student Council at the Adult campus that meets regularly to provide
an avenue for two-way communication and dissemination of schoolwide information.
This also provides an opportunity for students to communicate with the administration.
The Council offers student identification cards, organizes events, and fundraisers.
The various fund raisers allowed the Student Council to donate over $13,000 towards
the facility debt. Recently a monthly student newsletter was developed and distributed
to the students. It would be helpful if off campus sites could send student representatives
to the meetings and take part in the activities. The community also provides
support and opportunities for student learning. ESL field trips are offered to
help students acquire knowledge about the community. These students participate
in community activities like recycling projects as well as food and clothing drives.
The School also provides a bus to allow students to participate in Earth Day at
the county park. An EDD Representative is on the campus weekly to meet with students
from all programs. In addition, she visits offsite locations. Staff members know
about the service and refer students. Students learn how to use the Internet for
appropriate information and jobs. Guest speakers are invited to visit and speak
with classes. The Program Coordinator for Adults with Disabilities and Older Adult
Programs attends interagency and coordination meetings to keep abreast of resources
and programs to enhance opportunities for students. Staff members and students
feel that more needs to be done to support students. It was determined that it
would be helpful if off-site ESL classes would have the same level of services
as the Main Campus. It is important that San Mateo Adult continues and increases
collaboration between programs about the available student support offered. Students
pointed out additional help they would like to have as part of the student survey.
The three most requested areas of additional help were (1) further education,
(2) health services, and (3) childcare services. C2. Parent/Community
Involvement Criterion
To what extent does the school leadership employ
a wide range of strategies to ensure that parental and community involvement is
integral to the school's established support system for students? The School
leadership has made a concerted effort to ensure that parental and community involvement
is part of the support system for students. San Mateo Adult School is supported
and advised by a Community Advisory Board. Members of this group include representatives
from many areas in the community. Student representatives are always included
in these meetings. Representatives of various sectors of the larger community
are often invited to participate in the assemblies, student activities, and to
contribute to study units. The graduation of GED/High School Diploma students
is a public celebration with speakers from the community, and awards and scholarships
are presented to the students. Members of the Community Advisory Board take an
active part in marketing the Adult School to the community and have been instrumental
in developing numerous additional opportunities for adult classes. The Adult
School Director maintains vital links within both the District and community areas,
which enables the Adult School to sustain a high profile and build valuable collaborations.
The Education News Brochure is sent to every home in the service area and copies
are available at City Hall, libraries, and other public places. Adult School events
and highlights are provided to local newspapers and cable television. The School's
Web site is an important source of information for news and course offerings.
It is also a venue for publication of students' work. There have been collaborations
and partnerships developed with elementary schools, community centers, Community
Gatepath, Mills-Peninsula Senior Focus, and other facilities. The Adult School
provides the instructors for classes and the agencies provide the facilities.
One of the more innovative collaborations is with Samaritan House and indirectly
with the City of San Mateo. The Adult School provides an off-site ESL class at
the Day Laborer Center. In addition, the Adult School provided ESL instruction
at the San Francisco International Airport on request to assist employees in danger
of losing their jobs. With the threat of budgetary cuts, the entire School
family responded with a unity that shows the close relationships they have built.
Students organized fundraisers, held a raffle, and collected donations. Students
and staff contributed to an international cookbook and community businesses provided
the materials and printing. At two Saturday flea markets open to the public, students
and staff raised funds. The School leadership realizes the importance and
need for childcare services that would enable students to attend class on a regular
basis. In the past, CBET funds supported a childcare program that ended in December
2002. The childcare providers were able to develop successful businesses that
still continue today. Currently, childcare services have not materialized on the
Main Campus. There is collaboration with two elementary schools where the Adult
School provides instructors for evening classes, and the elementary school parent
groups provide childcare for the parents/students. Areas of Strength:
1.
All staff members are committed to providing support and referral resources to
students. 2.
The variety of support services offered to all students. 3. Staff members
that are constantly seeking innovative ways to identify, reduce, and/or eliminate
obstacles to learning. 4. The extensive collaborations and partnerships
developed with community organizations and businesses. 5. Collaboration
with the Employment Development Department to provide a weekly on-site visit of
a counselor that benefits all students. 6. An active Student Council that
meets regularly to provide two-way communication and dissemination of schoolwide
information. Key Issues:
1. The need to expand support services
at off-site ESL classes to the same level as on the Main Campus. 2. Continue
to explore ways to provide childcare services. Evidence: Self-Study
Report
Meetings with staff and students
Observations
Interviews
| 
