PLEDGING SUCCESS
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In 2017, UCI forged a powerful and unique partnership with the Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD), North Orange County Community College District (NOCCD), California State University, Fullerton and the City of Anaheim. The result was the Anaheim Union Educational Pledge.
The Pledge is a commitment to provide all AUHSD students with an intentional, comprehensive support system that integrates their families and is designed to ensure access to opportunities and services that prepares them to successfully complete their college and career goals. In addition to the higher education partners, several nonprofits, business and civic partners are involved, working to ensure that all Anaheim students meet their postsecondary goals. “This partnership truly represents a full spectrum of stakeholders, from civic leadership to business and industry, to nonprofit and academia,” said Stephanie Reyes-Tuccio, assistant vice chancellor, educational partnerships. “The Pledge allows us to re-think student movement, not just from K-12 to higher education, but from K-12 through two- and four-year institutions to career. Connecting those is revolutionary.” |
Students from the Anaheim Union High School district look out of a high rise in Irvine. Dr. Michael Matsuda, AUHSD superintendent, brings students on trips to the building to inspire their growth and provide positive visualization.
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“The Pledge has gone exceptionally well; the cohort is outperforming what we predicted, and grades are pretty exemplary,” said Dr. Michael Matsuda, superintendent of the Anaheim Union School District. “What the Pledge is really about, however, is creating a cohesive academic and career highway for our young people, most of whom are first-generation, immigrant, low-income, students of color.”
The Pledge is multi-faceted, with each institution committed to different components.
The Pledge is multi-faceted, with each institution committed to different components.
At the K-12 school-level, there is a shared, comprehensive academic support plan that includes internship and mentoring, academic planning, and support through the college application process. Students and families are exposed to academic, college and career planning, as well as professional learning, from grades 7-12. Additionally, materials are available in English, Korean, Vietnamese and Spanish.
All three members of the NOCCD – Cypress College, Fullerton College, and North Orange Continuing Education – committed to the Pledge. Collectively, the colleges provide financial aid and admissions workshops, and offer dual enrollment courses in AUHSD schools.
The city of Anaheim offers mentorships and resources for summer internship scholarships for high school juniors vis a vis Anaheim’s Innovative Mentoring Experience (AIME). Through AIME, the Pledge partners with industry to ensure students meet future labor needs. Matsuda estimates that, as of spring 2021, 1,500 students have participated in AIME.
All three members of the NOCCD – Cypress College, Fullerton College, and North Orange Continuing Education – committed to the Pledge. Collectively, the colleges provide financial aid and admissions workshops, and offer dual enrollment courses in AUHSD schools.
The city of Anaheim offers mentorships and resources for summer internship scholarships for high school juniors vis a vis Anaheim’s Innovative Mentoring Experience (AIME). Through AIME, the Pledge partners with industry to ensure students meet future labor needs. Matsuda estimates that, as of spring 2021, 1,500 students have participated in AIME.
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UCI guarantees admission to all graduates of Anaheim Union who enroll at Cypress College or Fullerton College and who meet the eligibility requirements of the Transfer Admission Guarantee. UCI-bound students also receive support in transferring and transitioning to the campus, along with additional support once they are on campus and enrolled, including eligibility for CFEP scholarships to defray expenses associated with books and materials.
As the success of the Pledge grows, so too do the number of Anaheim students at UCI. In fall 2018, after the first full year of the Pledge, there was a nine percent increase in applications from AUHSD students to UCI; a 44 percent increase in admits; and a 116 percent increase in enrollment. |
Stakeholders from across Anaheim and Orange County sign the Anaheim Pledge in 2018
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“The Pledge has been transformational for our district – it has created the framework of how we work as a system to support our students through and past our institutions,” said Manuel Colón, chief academic officer, Anaheim Union High School District. “No other partnership is as comprehensive and aligned.”
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The Pledge has gone exceptionally well; the cohort is outperforming what we predicted, and grades are pretty exemplary. What the Pledge is really about, however, is creating a cohesive academic and career highway for our young people, most of whom are first-generation, immigrant, low-income, students of color.
Superintendent, Anaheim Union School District |
“The Pledge has had a tremendous impact on our schools, students and families,” said Jaron Fried, AUSHD assistant superintendent, educational services. “We have seen first-hand the number of applications and admittance into our Pledge partners rise significantly since the Pledge was signed into action in 2017. Additionally, data has shown students from the AUHSD on average have greater persistence rates and higher academic grades than students coming to their institutions from other school districts.”
Matsuda explained that the Pledge is effective due to trust between the institutional leaders, which in turn facilitates conversations about the purpose of schools and universities. Reyes-Tuccio echoed that sentiment. “We have what’s called the ‘speed of trust’ – if there’s anything that either side wants to do, they pick up the phone, the other side answers, we have a quick conversation, and then we go do it,” Reyes-Tuccio said. “This is only possible due to years of nurturing and developing relationships.” |
As a result of this trust, Anaheim Union schools can move forward in its focus on 21st century skills known as the 5 C’s, Matsuda explained: critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration and character.
“We want the next generation to connect the dots, know fact from fiction, and to be driven by a need to change the world and problem solve,” Matsuda said. “Knowing that our pledge partners are with us in that vision, we feel we’re on the same page in terms of positioning our young people as leaders. Leaders who have compassion, who are concerned about the issues regarding social justice, and who, because of their educational experiences, will also have skills to affect change and move the needle forward.”
“We want the next generation to connect the dots, know fact from fiction, and to be driven by a need to change the world and problem solve,” Matsuda said. “Knowing that our pledge partners are with us in that vision, we feel we’re on the same page in terms of positioning our young people as leaders. Leaders who have compassion, who are concerned about the issues regarding social justice, and who, because of their educational experiences, will also have skills to affect change and move the needle forward.”
The preceding story is part of the "CFEP: 25 Years of Impact" series, honoring the people, programs and partnerships that have helped impact millions of students, teachers and families over the past quarter century. View the entire series here.
