State Launches ‘Bridging the Gap’ Summer Program
(photo courtesy of Ivy Tech Community College)
The Indiana Department of Education, Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Ivy Tech Community College have launched the “Bridging the Gap” initiative. The effort aims to help prepare high school graduates for college over the summer.
The DOE says the initiative is designed to reach at least 3,500 Indiana students who do not currently meet college or career readiness benchmarks in English and math.
“This year’s graduating seniors have an exciting new opportunity to bridge the gap between their high school learning and postsecondary education,” said Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner. “Partnerships like this over the summer are an important tool to help students master the skills that lay the foundation for future learning — and, ultimately, strengthen their path to earning a postsecondary credential.”
The DOE says Ivy Tech will invite eligible students to register for the Bridging the Gap initiative via emails and mailings. Students will be given access to Ivy Tech’s Knowledge Assessment program, which offers online and individualized learning opportunities in math and English.
“We are pleased to partner with IDOE and CHE to help high school graduates who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic gain college and career readiness this summer,” said Dr. Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College. “We have incredible faculty, career coaches, advisors, student success professionals, and others on our 19 campuses and at our locations throughout Indiana ready to assist these high school graduates in realizing their dreams of a college credential which will launch them into a high-wage, high-impact career.”
Upon completion of the Knowledge Assessment program, students will be able to enroll in entry level courses at Ivy Tech without the need for further remediation and will be ready for college-level coursework at any institution this fall.
Courses start June 7 and July 6.
In addition, the DOE says students can earn up to $300 in financial incentives for completing the program components.