Bob Franco's Top Twelve Findings from QEM NSF Workshop 10/17-18, 2003

  1. NSF/TCUP projects $2.5 million over five years, rigorous requirements, annual renewal funding contingent upon success.

  2. Project outcomes for Native Hawaiian students but stated goals of campuses submitting implementation grants this year, WCC, MCC, KauaiCC, were more broadly strengthening STEM programs. "Insuring quality is the goal." "Not about numbers"

  3. NSF expects students to receive funds, for example, students could receive hourly wage, plus transportation and food stipend to attend summer bridge programs.

  4. We can work with parents and families.  Exemplary TCUP program at Fort Berthold CC (a tribal cc with a Family Education model available, promoted)

  5. Planning calendar available from Dr. Chelu Chetty (Savannah State)

  6. Full-time project director, plus coordinators of components (summer bridge and student support, curriculum development, partnerships)

  7. Expect internal and external evaluators who interact with internal and external advisory boards

  8. Common Data Tracking System with all other tcup projects.  TCUP calls for specific quantitative data. TSET data consultants.

  9. Current data needsÑhigh school to KapCC, are there high school/teaches that prepare Native Hawaiians better? How do Native Hawaiian students move through Holomua, Math, and then Math 100-140 bridge? Literature search for support of project strategies, that is, it was shown to work with evidence elsewhere.

  10. We should identify potential equipment costs early in planning period. Can spend up to 30% per year on equipment. Should spend more n equipment in year 1,2,3 because hard to justify in years 4 and 5.

  11. Once we get a grant, they would support collaborations with other tcup colleges, for example, faculty-student research conferences, and sharing strategies (peer support, cohort approaches, mentoring, active learning, use of technology).

  12. Overall approach: use cultural curriculum to make early connections, continue to increase cultural curriculum over the years of the students' academic work (and the grant), build student success experience and confidence. Having high expectations for students is the key.