Educational Talent Search Annual Report 2022-2023

I. Mission Statement

Educational Talent Search (ETS) is committed to academically prepare and motivate low-income, first-generation college students for success in postsecondary education. The Educational Talent Search program is aligned with Chico State’s Mission, Values and Vision statements and the first strategic priority to “recruit, enroll, support, and graduate a diverse and high-quality student population.

History at California State University, Chico

Educational Talent Search I (Funded in 1990 to serve 825 scholars) - the target population is comprised of scholars in grades 6th-12th who attend 15 target schools (Anna McKenney Intermediate, Bidwell Junior, Central Middle, Gray Avenue Middle, Las Plumas High, Live Oak High, Live Oak Middle, Los Molinos High, Marsh Junior High, Marysville High, Oroville High, Paradise High, Pleasant Valley High, Willows High and Yuba City High) in five counties (Butte, Glenn, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba). Educational Talent Search II (Funded in 2006 to serve 500 scholars) - the target population is comprised of scholars in grades 6th-12th who attend 9 target schools (Chico Junior, Chico High, CK Price Intermediate, Gridley High, Hamilton Elementary, Hamilton Union High, Orland High, Sycamore Middle and Williams Junior/Senior High) in three counties (Butte, Colusa, and Glenn).

II. Accomplishments

• Successfully recruited and served 1,227 low-income, first generation college scholars in grades 6th-12th at 24 target schools – scholars are motivated and prepared to attend college starting in 6th grade!
• 106 ETS seniors applied to Chico State for Fall 2023; 48 submitted their intent to enroll.
• Monthly Workshops – ETS advisors visited their assigned schools each month to present grade appropriate workshops and advising sessions on topics such as college requirements, career/major awareness, financial literacy, resumes, interview tips and writing personal statements. In addition, Advisors guide seniors step-by-step through the college, financial aid, and educational support programs (EOP, SSS, EOPS and REACH) processes and applications. An ETS newsletter, social media, emails, phone calls and text messages were utilized to keep scholars informed of ETS services/events.
• College Visits – 42 scholars in 11th grade visited Sacramento State and UC Davis in November. Summer college visits are planned for Sonoma State, San Jose State and UC Santa Cruz. Scholars learn about the campuses through admissions presentations and campus tours. Scholars have the opportunity to explore some of the beautiful San Francisco cultural sites.
• STEM Academy (88 scholars) – in collaboration with the Chico State’s student organization, Latinos in Technical Careers, 7th- 10th grade scholars experienced hands on, interactive workshops to motivate them to attend college and pursue a STEM career. Students built rockets, learned about anatomy & physiology from the Pre-Medical Association, put together solar cars/airplanes with the Alternative Energy Club, and learned about building the future from Design Build Institute of America. Prior to the conference, students submitted essays that asked them to discuss the following prompt, “if you could design and build a vehicle made out of any materials to help the world be a better place, what would it be?” The three strongest essays were awarded wireless speakers and Lego building sets.
• ETS Scholar’s Day hosted at Chico State (event scheduled in August) – one-day event designed to motivate scholars to attend college and be better prepared for their next academic school year.
• Jumpstart to College (event scheduled in August) – one-day event hosted to combat summer melt for first-time college freshman attending school this fall. To promote academic success, ETS staff and ETS alumni will share resources on college campuses, tips on navigating in-person and virtual learning, and what they wish they had known before going to college.
• Cash for College – in collaboration with our target high schools, CSU Chico, Butte College and Yuba College Financial Aid, we co-hosted ten Cash for College events where over 400 students and parents received information on financial aid. Most students submitted their FAFSA applications at the event.
• Chico State Preview Day and Choose Chico (25 ETS scholars and parents) – welcomed prospective Chico State Wildcat students to campus, guided them and answered their questions about the event and college. We also provided them with a $25 lunch voucher.
• Support of Chico State ETS Alumni – scholars are welcomed every semester to the ETS office to use computers, printers, receive school supplies, and to grab a snack. ETS staff serve as positive role models and check in with ETS alumni to see how they are doing academically and emotionally. This fosters a sense of belonging to remind students they are valued and provide support to encourage them to graduate from Chico State. ETS alumni graduating from Chico State are recognized and celebrated for achieving their personal and academic goals!
• Friend of ETS Awards – the recipients for the 2022-2023 year are: Natalie Herrejon (Williams Junior/Senior High), Yolanda Lederer (Willows High), Rosemarie Keene (Gridley High), Bill McCuthen (Las Plumas High and Oroville High), Malanee Montero (Live Oak Middle), Cindy Perez (Live Oak High), Jennie Powell (Live Oak High) and Angie Wisdom (Chico High) for their never ending dedication and support of the program. We are extremely appreciative of the recipients, because our program would not be as successful without them!

III. Diversity Efforts

• Assure hiring practices and current staff reflect diverse student population in program and on campus – this last year our professional staff was comprised of Asian, Caucasian, Latinx and Middle Eastern staff.
• Intentionality to recruit ETS scholars who are of underrepresented populations – males, American Indian, and African American.
• Peter Yang, ETS Advisor, presented at the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center Hmong Legacy events, sharing about cultural customs.

IV. Program Statistics and Assessments for Past Year

A successful Annual Performance Report was submitted to the Department of Education where all program objectives were met! The following Annual Objectives data corresponds to the 2021-2022 academic year. Due to the U.S. Department of Education reporting requirements, Educational Talent Search grantees complete annual reports in December, therefore 2022-2023 data is not yet available. All other information included in this report corresponds to the 2022-2023 academic year.

 Program Objectives:

1. Secondary School Persistence: 93% of non-senior participants served each project year, will complete the current academic year and continue in school for the next academic year, at the next grade level. Exceeded – 100% of non-senior participants completed the current academic year and continued in school the next academic year, at the next grade level.
2. Secondary School Graduation: 84% of seniors served during the project year will graduate during the project year, with a regular secondary school diploma. Exceeded – 100% of seniors graduated with a regular secondary school diploma.
3. Secondary School Graduation, Academic Rigorous: 46% of seniors served during the project year, will complete a rigorous secondary school program of study and will graduate during the project year with a regular secondary school diploma. Exceeded – 65% of seniors that graduated completed a rigorous secondary school program of study.
4. Postsecondary Education Enrollment: 77% of participants who have graduated with a regular secondary school diploma during the project year, will enroll in an institution of higher education by the fall term immediately following high school graduation. Exceeded – 82% of participants who have graduated with a regular secondary school diploma, enrolled in an institution of higher education the fall term immediately following high school graduation.

Class of 2022 Postsecondary Enrollment – ETS strives to ensure that students get the information and assistance needed to select the postsecondary institution that best suits their needs and wants. Prior to COVID, approximately 70-90 ETS students enrolled at Chico State each fall. The following summary provides an overview of which colleges the 2022 ETS senior class chose to attend:

1. Postsecondary Attainment: 36% of participants served during the project year who enrolled in an institution of higher education by the fall term immediately following high school graduation, will complete a program of postsecondary education within six years. Exceeded – 55% of participants served in the 2015-16 postsecondary enrollment cohort earned a credential.

Ongoing Assessment Efforts - Annual Objectives for 2022-2023: we constantly evaluate our program to best serve our students’ needs. Ongoing assessment efforts include an annual performance report submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, scholars’ evaluations after every event attended,  and an overall program evaluation before scholars graduate. After closely assessing the program, staff meet in June to plan for the following year.

Demographic Reporting - for the 2022-2023 academic year, 1,227 scholars were served by two ETS grants. Below is a demographic snapshot of the ethnicity of our student population, reflective of the schools being served.  

Below is a summary of the ETS college enrollment rates for the past ten years: 

V. Key Objectives for Next Academic Year

• Recruit and serve 1,325 scholars!
• Continue to serve the needs of our scholars and schools while providing much needed support for low-income, first-generation college scholars.
• Continue to provide professional development for all staff.