What is Strong Foundations?
A pre-matriculation program in developmental English and math. Students are non-mats for the duration of the program, then matriculate upon successful completion. Ideally, when they successfully complete Strong Foundations, they are prepared for college level/co-requisite classes (i.e., ENG 101/TRS 099 and MTH 098 or above).
What is Strong Foundations ESOL?
A pre-matriculation program in ESL with an optional developmental math component. Students are non-mats for the duration of the program, then matriculate upon successful completion. When they successfully complete Strong Foundations ESOL, they move into the next level ESL class or may retake the ESL placement test.
Strong Foundations TRS and ESL are full semester/15 week programs. TRS students receive 16 hours per week of instruction in developmental English and math. ESL students receive 15 hours of ESL instruction plus the option of 8 hours of developmental math instruction per week.
Who is eligible?
Students who place into the lowest level TRS courses (TRS 100, 092/094), and students who place into TRS 200 AND TRS 092 or 094.
Students who place into ESL 100/120 are eligible for Strong Foundations (placement test required).
What is the cost of Strong Foundations?
The only cost to students for Strong Foundations is the $75 transportation fee. All books, tuition and fees are covered by a grant from ESL Federal Credit Union.
Why should you refer students to Strong Foundations?
Because the program is low cost and pre-matriculation, students will not need financial aid to pay for many semesters of development math and English or ESL, thus saving them thousands of dollars in tuition and fees while also not starting the financial aid clock.
Is any testing required?
Students may need to take the ATB test, especially non-grads for Strong Foundations TRS.
ESOL students will need to take either the CELSA or the Accuplacer for ESL.
What if a student does not pass the ATB test?
Most students who do not pass can still participate in Strong Foundations, and will retake the test prior to completing Strong Foundations.
What if a student does not pass the ESL placement test?
ESOL students may pursue ESL instruction from a community organization then retake the placement test. The Strong Foundations and GEIS office can help connect students with a community organization.
Who do I contact if I have an eligible/interested student?
Jessica Saltzberg, jsaltzberg002@monroecc.edu
Pathways to College
What is Pathways to College?
A grant funded program that offers a scholarship to qualified students so that they can complete the 24 credit hour NYS High School Equivalency Diploma.
Who is eligible for Pathways to College?
Student who do not have a high school diploma or equivalency diploma and who are NYS residents for at least one month.
What is the cost of Pathways to College?
Eligible students’ tuition and fees are covered by the grant.
How do eligible students become part of Pathways to College?
They apply to MCC for admission and submit their high school transcript, if available, to Admissions. Students are then referred to Jessica Saltzberg to become part of the program.
Is testing required?
Testing is required per usual placement guidelines. If the student’s high school transcript is available and can be used for placement, no testing is required. Students can take the math placement test, if needed, and work with Matt Fox, TRS department chair, for English placement.
What if a student is not eligible for college level classes based on their placement?
Many Pathways to College students start in Strong Foundations, which can get them from where they are to ready for college level classes.
Who do I contact if I have an eligible/interested student?
Jessica Saltzberg, jsaltzberg002@monroecc.edu
