Learning Resources
Community College Outreach Program Turns to Online Resource for College Prep
Florida's Hillsborough Community College (HCC) has adopted a digital test prep service
for use in an outreach program designed to help economically disadvantaged middle and high school students pursue college educations.
HCC's College Reach-Out Program (CROP), funded by the
Florida Department of Education's
Office of Equity and Access, "identifies and assists
students from economically and academically disadvantaged backgrounds who have the potential to succeed in college," according to information
on the CROP Web site. "The program provides supplemental academic support, financial and academic counseling to its participants and encourages
them to graduate from high school and continue on to the post-secondary institution of their choice."
The program employs certified teachers to provide instruction at HCC campuses during the summer and on Saturdays during the school year.
This summer one of those teachers, Lawrence Smith, began using Shmoop Test
Prep as a diagnostic tool with immediate feedback on right and wrong answers and targeted review and practice drills.
Students in the program used Shmoop test prep tools for the SAT, ACT and PSAT/NMSQT exams, as well as for multiple state end-of-course
assessments.
"My students want to prove to themselves and to others: 'this is who I am and this is how good I can be,'" said Smith, in a prepared
statement. "I want my students to be successful, and that's why I equip them with Shmoop. This program really works."
About the Author
Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at jbolkan@gmail.com.