The STEP-UP program serves students in high-quality credit-bearing career technical education and associate degree programs at Shasta College. STEP-UP is a joint effort of Shasta College, Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, Shasta County Probation Department, Good News Rescue Mission, and the California Heritage Youth Build Academy.
Administered by Shasta College’s Economic and Workforce Development department, STEP-UP students are screened, risk assessed, and referred by local law enforcement or reentry service providers to specific Shasta College credit bearing programs. Each of the partners are able to identify and refer participants who are appropriate for the program. The Good News Rescue Mission provides a four-month college preparedness course to all participants prior to enrollment into college and counsels, tutors and assists participants in obtaining their GED or diploma. The Sheriff’s Department and Probation work directly with adult offenders throughout the time they are in the program to ensure attendance and success. Shasta College provides participants with counseling services, assistance with financial aid appointments and forms, and meal cards.
In January 2016, Shasta College, with the support of several community partners including Probation, applied for a competitive grant to expand the STEP-UP program. Initially, the program supported one cohort of 25 students annually and included associate degrees and career technical education certificate programs in heavy equipment operations, automotive technology, and office administration. In March 2016, the grant was awarded. With the grant funds, the STEP-UP program was expanded to include additional associate degrees and career technical education certificate programs in welding, business administration, and fire technology. The program also expanded to include two cohorts of 25 students annually (50 students total); one cohort in the spring semester, and one cohort in the fall semester. The grant also included the addition of a Probation Assistant to provide case management for the participants.
The program quickly showed positive results. As the program gained momentum during implementation completion rates have steadily increased. Of the students enrolled in the program, 49% completed one year of study in 14/15. This number increased to 60% in 15/16 and increased further to 74% in 16/17. In addition to high completion rates, the students enrolled in the Spring 2017 semester earned an average GPA of 3.41 (with a cumulative GPA of 3.27). Four students earned their program certificates at the completion of the Spring 2017 semester and five students earned their program certificates at the completion of the Fall 2017 semester. An additional 26 students are on track to complete at the completion of the Spring 2018 semester.
This agreement is retroactive to allow the department time to gather additional data and outcome information about this program.