PASS (Portable Assisted Study Sequence): Expanding Success Opportunities

Location

Rural Strand - Bowie C

Focused Area

Youth-At-Risk in Rural Settings

Relevance to Focused Area

The PASS instructional delivery model offers a credit accrual alternative for at-risk youth. While the PASS program was initially developed for migrant farmworker students traveling throughout the country, it is relevant for both rural and urban populations. The flexibility, adaptability, and portability of the curriculum, regardless of Internet access, meets the needs of at-risk youth in a variety of settings – rural and urban schools, alternative high schools, home study, summer programs, youth detention facilities, out-of-school youth, high school equivalency preparation , and more.

Primary Strand

Academic Achievement & School Leadership

Relevance to Primary Strand

The PASS program provides a means of closing achievement gaps and promoting learning for all students in a democratic society clearing addressing the ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT & LEADERSHIP Strand. A variety of semi-independent study courses offers high school students not only an alternative means of gaining academic credit toward graduation, but also supplemental skill-building, remediation, and course completion options in cost-effective, standards-based packets designed to address a wide array of program and student needs.

Brief Program Description

The PASS program provides a means of closing achievement gaps and promoting learning for all students. Administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, outreach workers, and parents will gain hands-on experience with this alternative means of gaining academic credit toward graduation, as well as supplemental skill-building, remediation, and course completion options designed to address an array of program and student needs.

Summary

Whether the goal is pre-teaching, skill-building, remediation, credit accrual or partial course completion, this flexible, adaptable program has met the needs of countless students over the years, and has helped them to achieve success.

PASS courses are provided through state and local Migrant Education programs free of charge, and for a minimal fee to others through licensed PASS Distribution Sites. The NPC web site www.migrant.net/pass contains course and program implementation information, as well as additional resources for free download, including a booklet of fourteen lessons on Preparing for College, a Style and Usage Guide with supplemental activities for grammar improvement, Bilingual Glossaries, Spanish/English bilingual flyers covering Test Taking Tips and Study Strategies, and a PASSport to Success contract for students, parents, and mentors to delineate responsibilities for each partner in the learning process.

The PASS program is currently used in over 30 states by instructional programs ranging from district-based settings such as regular in-school or after school programs, alternative schools, and summer schools, to home-based learning environments and corrections programs. Standards-based courses in all academic content areas incorporate proven instructional strategies written at an accessible reading level in order to assist students in developing the skills and knowledge required to be successful in their studies.

The National PASS Center (NPC) oversees the development of learner-centered, semi-independent study courses targeted primarily at migrant farmworker students, in order to help them meet high school graduation requirements and go on to achieve their full potential. The NPC also serves as a clearinghouse for information and materials that will assist educators in addressing a variety of student needs. Guidance and oversight of the NPC is provided by experienced educators from several states from across the country.

Evidence

In January 2009, a Policy Brief entitled Success in Secondary School and Access to Postsecondary Education for Migrant Youth was published under the leadership of the Florida Migrant Interstate Program, Texas Migrant Interstate Program and National PASS Coordinating Committee, based on research and information gathered over a three-year period involving over three-hundred migrant educators from twenty-four states. Most of the barriers and challenges faced by migrant students are those faced by virtually all at-risk youth, and facilitating credit accrual is a weighty element in addressing those concerns. PASS has allowed migrant education programs across the country to increase their student retention and graduation rates, by making it possible for students to complete courses started in one location prior to a family move to seek agricultural employment in another state or school district. Students in a variety of programs have also been able to make up missing credits to complete their high school graduation requirements, or to take needed courses when they are not offered during the time the student is attending a particular school. In addition, outreach workers and tutors have found the program materials effective in providing support for students who may be struggling in school. Program utilization in selected sites has shown a course completion rate ranging from 60% to, in several cases, 100% .

Format

Individual Presentation

Biographical Sketch

Robert Lynch

Robert Lynch’s work on behalf of migrant farmworkers and their families spans over forty years. Beginning his career as an undergraduate at the State University College at Geneseo, Geneseo, New York, Bob retired in 2012 as Director of the Geneseo Migrant Center and National PASS Center, but remains involved with the Migrant Education Program on a limited basis. While involved in all aspects of the Migrant Education Program, infants thru adults, he has focused his work in the area of services to secondary-aged students, both in-school and out-of-school. Bob has represented migrant farmworker interests on several local, state, and national advisory boards and committees. He has conducted numerous trainings, workshops, and other presentations for professional and educational staff and groups throughout the country.

Bob has been recognized by his peers for his work on behalf of farmworkers. In 2013, he was presented with the National Association of State Directors for Migrant Education (NASDME) Lifetime Achievement Award for his many years of service, his persistent advocacy, commitment, and willingness to go way beyond what is expected.

Norma Cregan

Norma Cregan has worked in the field of education for over 40 years. A majority of those years has been spent working in the area of at-risk students. The last 20 plus years she served as the Assistant Director for State and Federal Programs for the Kansas State Department of Education. In that capacity she directed several programs including Title I, Title II A, Title III, Migrant Education, School Improvement, and the state At-risk program. Her duties included not only regulatory but designing programs that would benefit the at-risk learner.

Most recently she has served as a consultant to the Iowa State Department of Education in the design and provision of services to the Migrant population. She is currently working with National PASS Center as a consultant.

Start Date

10-25-2016 8:15 AM

End Date

10-25-2016 9:45 AM

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Oct 25th, 8:15 AM Oct 25th, 9:45 AM

PASS (Portable Assisted Study Sequence): Expanding Success Opportunities

Rural Strand - Bowie C

The PASS program provides a means of closing achievement gaps and promoting learning for all students. Administrators, guidance counselors, teachers, outreach workers, and parents will gain hands-on experience with this alternative means of gaining academic credit toward graduation, as well as supplemental skill-building, remediation, and course completion options designed to address an array of program and student needs.