Explanation
BACKGROUND: This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Columbus State Community College for the purpose of supporting the Cougar Bridge Program. The purpose of the Cougar Bridge program is to help these students gain the literacy and numeracy skills they need to prepare them for success in their education and their careers. Through this program, they will have the opportunity to achieve the skills they need through targeted remediation and counseling as well as college and career readiness programming. Referring students to other agencies for remediation has proved to be insufficient, as there is an acknowledged gap between high school and college readiness that is not addressed by other local programs.
To be eligible, an individual must: (a) have a high school diploma or GED, (b) complete the College application process, and (c) have a COMPASS placement score of less than 52 in Reading and less than 26 in Math. These scores indicate a grade level of below sixth grade in Reading and below seventh grade in Math.
Students will have coursework and receive intrusive advising and college navigation support to prepare them for entry into certificate programs with high employment opportunities.
Emergency action is requested so important program services can be available to the community as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT: Funding for this contract is available from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with Columbus State Community College to support of the Cougar Bridge college and career readiness program; to authorize the appropriation and expenditure of $192,884.00 from the Neighborhood Initiatives Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($192,884.00)
Body
WHEREAS, this legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to enter into a contract with the Columbus State Community ...
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