Organizational example:
Focus: HOPE
Name |
FAST TRACK and First Step |
Program Purpose |
To provide remedial math, reading, and communication skills sufficient for individuals to qualify for succeeding in competency-based training and education programs in a variety of science, technology, engineering and math-related fields, e.g., manufacturing and information technologies, healthcare, and/or other high demand industry-based certifications and 2-4 year post-secondary programs. |
Program Description |
FAST TRACK is a 7-week bridge program to upgrade the skills of individuals who do not meet the 10th grade math and 9th grade reading level requirements to enter Focus: HOPE’s Machinist Training Institute or the 9th grade math and 12th grade reading level requirements to enter Focus: HOPE’s Information Technologies Center. Instruction is provided both by teachers and via computer-based modules. Over the seven week program, students often raise their math and reading by two grade levels or more. First Step is a lower level 4-week bridge program designed for students who need additional math instruction to qualify for the Fast Track Program. Students must have a minimum of sixth grade math and eighth grade reading to enroll. In both programs, heavy emphasis is placed on attendance, academics, attitude, and appearance via mentoring/coaching in order to prepare students for the expectations of a professional work environment. Focus: HOPE provides a mandatory drug-free educational environment, life and financial management counseling, and other supportive student services to fully meet the special challenges faced by primarily underrepresented low-income students. Focus: HOPE is actively exploring the possibility of providing additional flexibility in its programming in order to reach more students, accommodate their unique circumstances, and provide a diverse highly-skilled workforce for growing industries, by, for example: offering self-paced web-enabled instruction; distance learning; flexible scheduling; GED and high school diploma preparation; and incumbent worker upskilling. |
Progress |
More than 80% of enrollees complete their programs. More than 4,700 students have completed from the FAST TRACK program since its inception in 1989. More than 1,300 students have completed First Step since it started in 1997. |
Contact Information |
Tracy Smith Hall |
Information from Tracy Smith Hall at Focus: HOPE, the program’s website and Rademacher, 2002.