Educational Talent Search Annual Report 2023-2024

I. Mission Statement

 
Educational Talent Search (ETS) is committed to academically prepare and motivate 1,325 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 6^th-12^th 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 6^th-12^th 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/Highlights

 

• 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.

 

• College Visits (112 scholars) – 35 scholars in middle school visited Sacramento State and participated in interactive exhibits to learn about California’s rich, diverse history at the California Museum; 77 scholars in 11^th grade visited UC Berkeley, UC Merced, Sacramento State, Fresno State and San Jose State. Scholars envision themselves as college students as they learn about the campuses through admissions presentations and campus tours. Scholars also had the opportunity to explore some of the beautiful San Francisco cultural sites.

           

• STEM Academy (102 scholars) – in collaboration with the Chico State’s student organization, Latinos in Technical Careers and Chico State MESA Engineering Program/Chico STEM Connections Collaborative, 7^th- 11^th grade scholars experienced hands on, interactive workshops to motivate them to attend college and pursue a STEM career. Students built foil boats with the American Society of Civil Engineers, learned about DNA from the Chemistry Club, put together solar cars/airplanes with the Alternative Energy Club, built launchers with the National Society of Black Engineers and Scientists and built motor cars with Latinos in Technical Careers.

 

• Hosted conferences at Chico State to motivate students to attend college –
  • ETS Scholar’s Day hosted at Chico State (40 scholars) – keynote speaker Keith Hawkins inspired students to find value in all people, and lead in a way that others will follow. Dr. Marie Patterson, Chico State Construction Management Department Chair facilitated a Lego hotel activity and introduced students to the CM major, courses, and internship opportunities. ETS alumni shared about their college experiences and answered questions students had.
  • Jumpstart to College (event August 15^th) – hosted to combat summer melt for first-time college freshman attending school this fall. Dr. Nandi Crosby will share her personal journey to becoming a professor and stress the importance of developing a rapport with professors. The WellCat Counseling Center and Financial Aid & Scholarship Office will also present valuable information. 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.

 

• 92 ETS seniors applied to Chico State for Fall 2024/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!

III. Program Statistics and Assessment 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 2022-2023 academic year. Due to the U.S. Department of Education reporting requirements, Educational Talent Search grantees complete annual reports in December, therefore 2023-2024 data is not yet available.
 

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 – 99% 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 – 77% 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 – 90% 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 2023 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. The following summary provides an overview of which colleges the 2023 ETS senior class chose to attend.

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 – 51% of participants served in the 2016-17 postsecondary enrollment cohort earned a credential.

Ongoing Assessment Efforts - Annual Objectives for 2023-2024: 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.
 
Below is a summary of the ETS college enrollment rates for the past ten years:

V. Unit Objectives with Strategic Action Plan in 2024-2025

 

Proudly Owning Who We Are

• Update the ETS Website

• Be more active on the ETS Instagram and ETS Facebook to keep students, families and community informed of ETS program.

• Share personalized ETS annual report with each school site that includes names of students from their school that participated in ETS events and where ETS seniors enrolled in college.

• Zoom meetings with ETS parents so they are informed on ETS services and can meet the ETS advisor that serves their student.

Leveraging Our Strengths in What We Do

• Continue to provide leadership conferences, STEM Academy, Scholar’s Day, Jumpstart to College and college visits to motivate and prepare our students for postsecondary education.

• Survey students and school contacts to see if we are truly meeting their needs. Are there ways we can improve the services we offer?

Advancing Our Influence by How We Do Our Work

• Continue to partner with Educational Opportunity Program, Student Support Services, REACH, Office of Admissions, Scholarship and Financial Aid Office, WellCat Counseling Center and the MESA Engineering Program (MEP)/Chico STEM Connections Collaborative to serve the needs of our scholars and schools while providing much needed support for low-income, first-generation college scholars. Continue to partner with MESA Engineering Program (MEP)/Chico STEM Connections Collaborative, Latinos in Technical Careers and other student organizations to host the annual STEM Academy at Chico State.