Educational opportunities abound when one knows where to look,
and thanks to a federal grant, students in the Bradford Area School
District have a new, free tool for finding those opportunities.
The TRiO Educational Talent Search program, funded by a federal
grant from the U.S. Department of Education and supported by the
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, is aimed mostly at students
in 6th through 12 grades at the Floyd C. Fretz Middle School and
Bradford Area High School.
“We’re working to help kids succeed in school and plan for the
future,” explained Kathy Rodgers, TRiO Educational Talent Search
program manager, on Monday. “We hope to get up to 575
students.”
The program provides information and counseling to help students
choose the major, college or career that is right for them and
assist them in the process of entering post-secondary education –
by helping to prepare for college entrance exams, assisting in the
application process for scholarships and financial aid and
assisting in choosing an appropriate school.
“We do not recruit for Pitt,” Rodgers said, explaining they
encourage students to further their education “at any accredited
institution,” – at trade schools, two-year or four-year programs or
specialized schools.
But what future planning could students in 6th grade really be
doing?
Kristin Morris, academic advisor who works at Fretz, explained
that’s where the groundwork begins.
“Middle school is tough. They haven’t really made the connection
that they are working toward something,” Morris said. Students need
to develop strong skills in the basics – math, science, reading –
to build on for future advancement.
“If their grades aren’t good, they think they aren’t college
material,” Morris explained. “They tend not to put as much effort
into it. If you are working towards a goal, you are working
harder.
“Their grades right now effect what kind of classes they’ll be
able to get into at the high school level,” she said.
Kim Boyer, lead academic advisor for the program, added, “We’re
just keeping their minds open to stay focused on the future.”
Boyer explained she had spoken to a sixth-grader once who
informed her that she was not going to college, believing that
avenue was already closed to her because of familial or
environmental circumstances. What this program does is changes the
minds of those young people.
“We start getting in their ears at an early age and telling them
‘yes, you can.’ One voice does make a difference,” Boyer said.
In 6th grade, the process begins with the establishment of an
interest inventory. Morris explained the inventory is designed to
spell out what the student is interested in and skilled at, what
type of school might be best for him or her to attend and how long
schooling for that career path may take. The program also offers
tutoring and mentoring.
“Whatever they might need to keep their grades up,” Morris
said.
Having interests established in middle school can help develop
an individualized high school curriculum to advance the student
towards a chosen career field, explained Casey Bucher, academic
advisor who works at the high school.
He helps students “cement their career plans” in the high
school. He can help students find out the requirements of their
chosen careers, what colleges might suit their needs, what
financial aid options are available to them and can help them
through the financial aid process. He can also offer workshops with
good habits, such as note taking, time management and communication
with teachers.
Bucher explained the plans are individualized. “It’s not a
one-size-fits-all program for all students.”
And the program doesn’t stop with high school. Boyer also offers
adult services through the program.
She explained she works with community members – such as
non-graduates, those who started but didn’t finish college, those
seeking a general equivalency diploma or veterans of any age – who
want to attend college.
“We’re helping them figure out financial aid,” Boyer said. “I
help them apply to college.”
The program is voluntary and student participants can be
recommended by a parent, counselor or teacher. And any parent
interested in participating, or in getting more information on the
program, can contact the guidance office at either the high school
or Fretz.
“We’re a complimentary service,” Rodgers said. “We still have
openings. At Fretz, there’s over 700 students and one guidance
counselor.”
“The family response has been good,” Boyer said. “It’s been a
struggle to get the word out. We can help kids in many different
family backgrounds.”
“We want to find scholarships and make things more cost
effective,” Rodgers said.
“We want to make it less stressful,” Boyer added, referring to
the financial aid process.
“It’s overwhelming,” Morris agreed, “and it changes all the
time.”
Rodgers explained that university President Livingston Alexander
had experience with the TRiO program grants at previous
universities, and wanted to bring it to Bradford as well.
The TRiO Educational Talent Search program is located in the
Seneca Building and can be contacted through Pitt-Bradford.
