The Educational system in America aims to educate as many students as possible to ensure a future filled with potential. Sadly some fall into holes that do not allow them to continue on to graduation. One of the holes that can prohibit a student from completion is “aging out” of the system. Once a student becomes 18 years of age, most states are not obligated to serve them. Roger Williams University recognized this problem in Rhode Island and looked for ways to help solve it. They found a possible answer in the National Gateway to College program (GTC).
Roger Williams University (RWU) is the first institution in Rhode Island to participate in the national GTC program and currently partners with the school districts of Providence and Pawtucket. The program targets students between the ages of 16 and 24 who are referred by their school districts via guidance counselors, community organizations and partners that are looking to finish high school and achieve college credit. Over the past year, this program has been exceeding expectations.
Under current law, Rhode Island is one of the states that are not obligated to serve students after the age of 18. “Students who are over 18 years of age are not on the priority list of the district and this can be devastating because of the disadvantages of not having a high school diploma,” said Jill Belanger, Gateway to College Program Director.
Along with earning a diploma, participants are also earning college credits due to the program’s dual enrollment model. For example, a “Writing 100” course counts towards an English class that is needed to graduate high school. Additionally, students will also receive 3 college credits (a prerequisite for a college program).
The program reflects a diverse student body including some that are fresh out of high school learning side by side with some who have been out of school for five years. There is a great dynamic formed within this mix. Some students take on teacher-like roles after their foundation semester and help guide the other students along the way. Students also have the opportunity to apply to become a tutor. This year, three students who took that track of becoming a tutor which can open additional career opportunities. The age difference in the group provides lots of opportunities for all those involved to learn and grow in a multitude of ways.
The Gateway to College National Network has been around for more than 15 years and the Roger Williams’ branch is one of 40 in the country. This is the first time Rhode Island has supported a Gateway to College program and is one of many paths to student success that the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) is enthusiastically supporting.
To establish the program, Jamie E. Scurry, Vice President of University College at Roger Williams, met with the Rhode Island Department of Education to discuss district requirements and participation. Both parties agreed that Providence and Pawtucket would be the inaugural school districts to participate. 25 students from Providence and 8 from Pawtucket have participated in the program. Of the total of 33 students who finished in the spring of 2018, RWU’s Gateway to College program graduated 65% of those participating. The 65% rate is above the national benchmark of 54% for first year programs. Of those 65% who graduated, 76% progressed to post-secondary programs.
Participating students are in the program for
10 | CURRENT FALL 2018
RWU Building a
Gateway to College