Thursday, November 6th, 2014
Dixie State University was recently awarded a $50,000 “Step Up” grant from the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) for the purpose of improving college readiness for high school students, particularly students in the Washington County School District (WCSD). In partnership with WCSD, DSU will use the monies in an effort to prepare more students for college by encouraging them to enroll for a fourth year of high school mathematics.
According to the ACT organization, only 22% of high school students are prepared overall for college, with only 40% of students prepared for college-level Algebra. Consequently, many students have to enroll in remedial math courses while in college just to get caught up, and according to Complete College America, nearly 4-in-10 students never make it out of remedial education.
“We are excited to work with the local school district on this important initiative,” said Dr. David Roos, DSU Executive Director of Enrollment Services. “These funds will not only be used to raise the math awareness level, but DSU students will actually be hired and sent to the local high schools to tutor high school students who are having a difficult time with math.”
Three WCSD schools were selected for the initial roll out of the Step UP program, including Pine View, Dixie, and Snow Canyon high schools. WCSD officials hope this new initiative will provide students the math skills necessary to advance on to college or other post-high school education or employment opportunities.
“We’re not unique in Washington County with how many of our students struggle with math or try to avoid it altogether,” stated Colin Metzer, WCSD Counseling Coordinator. “This grant will help us take an important step to address this challenge, and provide a great opportunity for DSU and the School District to work together to positively impact students and their preparation for college and career.”
For more information about the grant program, please contact DSU Executive Director of Enrollment Services Dr. David Roos at 435-652-7704/droos@utahtech.edu.