Directing Adults on the Right TrAC for Employment (DARTE) Learning Community
Submitted By: Paul Rosenbloom
Delta Sierra Regional Alliance(San Joaquin Delta)
Website: https://www.deltacollege.edu/department/darte-learning-community
Type of Practice: Learner Transition
Program Area(s): ABE / ASE, ESL / EL Civics / Citizenship, CTE / Workforce Prep / Pre-apprenticeship
Region: Central Valley
Consortia Involved: Delta Sierra Regional Alliance (San Joaquin Delta)
The Program of Practice
Adult school students face many barriers transitioning to community college. Many don't know what kinds of options are available, lack resources, face barriers and consider themselves "college material". Even when students do transition they can face many challenges navigating the community college environment.
There is need for programming and staffing that accelerates adult school student transition to community college by providing access to financial aid, student community and other needed educational and wraparound support services.
The Response
San Joaquin Delta College established the Directing Adult towards the Right TrAC for Employment (DARTE) learning community in the Spring of 2021 to support and accelerate student transitions.
The Unique Features of the Program
The DARTE program leverages SB554 and an adult education learning community for our students to support their transition. Delta College Resource Specialists work with Adult School Transition Specialists to identify and recruit potential students to participate in the DARTE program. SB554 has provided equitable student access to community college classes. DARTE is a set of classes and support services known as a "learning community" that can give some of these students even more assistance along the way. Specifically, the program allows
students who are in the process of earning their high school diplomas at an adult school to finish transfer-level math and English college courses at the same time. DARTE is also open to any other returning adult who simply wants to finish a certificate or degree, or transfer to a four-year college. DARTE participants are able to access financial aid. Undocumented students are encouraged to participate as well.
The Outcome
Since it was initiated in 2021 nearly 400 students have enrolled in the DARTE program. The majority of these students are former adult school students. Students in the DARTE program persist and perform at a higher than average rate due in part to the dedicated staffing and access to supportive services.