Dec. 4, 2009

WVU Parkersburg is partner in $634,990 I-PASS grant to increase adult developmental education opportunities and develop a "middle college" concept.

CONTACT:   Dr. Rhonda Richards, senior vice president for academic affairs, 304-424-8242.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg is a key partner in a $634,990 federal grant designed to increase developmental education opportunities for adults and implement a “middle college” concept.

The U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) awarded the $634,990 grant to the West Virginia Community and Technical College system and its project partners: WVU Parkersburg; Kanawha Valley and Bridgemont community and technical colleges, and the West Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Technical and Adult Education Services.

WVU Parkersburg will receive approximately $100,000 as part of the FIPSE grant project entitled “Integrated Pathways for Adult Student Success: Preparing the Workers of Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow.”  Project planning begins in January.

The I-PASS project is designed to dramatically increase the number of adults and displaced workers who successfully complete adult basic education, English as a Second Language education, and developmental education, and enroll in and complete technical programs aligned with key industry sectors in the respective institution’s regional economies, noted Rhonda Richards, WVU Parkersburg senior vice president of academic affairs.

“WVU Parkersburg’s identified regional clusters of economic opportunity are in the chemical, metal manufacturing/machining and health care industries,” Dr. Richards said.

The adult middle college concept will target specific technical programs to allow adults without a high school diploma to participate in an accelerated program in which they simultaneously pursue a GED, community college education and a workforce certification or associate’s degree. 

Goals of the three-year project are to significantly increase:  the number of adults coming to community colleges and Adult Basic Education centers for assessment;  the number and percentage of adult students successfully completing basic skills education, and the number and percentage of adult students who reach key educational momentum points.  The project is also designed to assist other institutions in implementing its initiatives. 

FIPSE supports innovative grants and cooperative agreements to improve postsecondary education. It supports reforms, innovations, and significant improvements of postsecondary education that respond to problems of national significance and serve as national models.

cd12/04/09

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Institutional Advancement
(304-424-8203 - Office)
E-mail

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