Regional Academic Collaboratives

RAC initiatives promote a college-going culture and increase eligibility and enrollment at post-secondary institutions. RAC's two comprehensive efforts – the College Going Initiative (CGI) and the Summer Algebra Academies (SAA) – focus on high schools within rural and remote regions of California.

A freshman at San Diego State University, Imperial Valley campus in Calexico, and her mother, shop for school books at the San Diego State bookstore

CONTACTS

RAC Technical Assistance
UCSC Educational Partnerships Center
Jennifer Rolen
(831) 459-1779

Hayward, Oakland
and Antioch Unified

Catherine Fonseca
(925) 628-1654

Imperial County
Javier Ramos
(760) 312-6190

Lake County
Jamey Gill
(707) 262-4123

Mendocino County
Elvia Vazquez
(707) 467-5134

UC Davis
Ed Aguilar
(530) 754-8106

UC Irvine
Bianca R. Estrella
(949)285-5487

UC Riverside
Alpha Center

Dr. Pamela Clute
Maria Chiara Simani
(951) 827-5425

UC Santa Barbara
Britt Ortiz
(805) 893-5185

UC Santa Cruz
Pablo Reguerin
(831) 459-1756

UC Office of the President
Jill Schlessinger
(510) 987-9439

College-Going Initiative

CGI provides a systemic approach to delivering college information to all students and their parents in an effort to develop and nurture college-going cultures at each of our school sites.

Through grade-specific activities aimed at whole schools, CGI fosters college knowledge and practical workshops on topics including:

  • Financial Aid
  • College Applications
  • College Fairs
  • Time management, note-taking, and test taking

CGI also provides training and assistance to school staff on such topics as admissions requirements and the creation of regional master calendars.

CalSOAP Assistant Director Eddie Avelar talks to Holtville High School seniors about financing options for college Monday at Holtville High School?s college fair.

Summer Algebra Academies

Algebra is one of the most significant obstacles students must overcome before they can successfully complete college entrance requirements. Unfortunately, many high schools resort to providing students with remediation courses after students fail ninth grade algebra.

Algebra Academies allow high schools to use the summer prior to ninth grade to effectively prepare students for algebra. The program also engages students and parents in creating a college-going environment within the high school.

The impact of the academies has manifested itself in an increased number of students enrolled in geometry, which in turn has enabled schools to increase the number of geometry courses.

Thus, schools are now attacking an academic deficiency from an intervention strategy as opposed to a remediation problem.

Academy students not only outperformed their fellow students in mathematics, but showed significant academic improvement in their overall coursework.

Building Partnerships

RAC is a partnership between the University of California, California State University, California Community Colleges, and of course high schools throughout the state. To ask about whether there is a program near you, see contacts (left).

 

 

 

 

 

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