The Bridge to College and Careers Program at LaGuardia Community

College provides an educational and career pathway for adults and out-of-

school youth. Students prepare for the High School Equivalency exam and

the transition to college or postsecondary training.

Coursework covers topics in healthcare, science or business and develops

academic reading, writing and math skills in preparation for college and

employment in one of these three areas.

BRIDGE TO COLLEGE AND CAREERS PROGRAM

Bridge Graduates Vinod Dowlani (2013), Chimey Palmo (2013), Modupe Marks (2012) and Robert Morales (2012) are now enrolled in degree programs.

Evidence-Based Strategies According to the 2013 MDRC study of Bridge outcomes cited here, Bridge students are significantly more likely to stay in class, twice as likely to earn a high school equivalency credential and three times as likely to enroll in college in comparison to their peers in traditional programs.

BRIDGE OUTCOMES

Key Bridge Program Features Contextualized

Curriculum

The Bridge Program’s central

innovation is a contextualized,

career-focused curriculum. Students

develop literacy and numeracy skills

in the context of authentic materials

from one career area.

Increased Access

The Bridge Program is open to

students who test at or above a 7th

grade reading level. The part-time

model, with a choice between

morning and evening classes,

allows parents and working

students to attend class.

Managed

Enrollment

A three-step registration process

requires students to demonstrate an

upfront commitment to class.

Students attend class as a cohort

for 10 hours per week in a semester

-long model mirroring the demands

and time commitment of college.

Comprehensive

Advisement

Using a team-based approach, the

Bridge Instructor and Transitions

Advisor work closely with students

to develop and monitor strategies

for overcoming academic and non-

academic barriers to success.

Students participate in college and

career workshops led by the

Advisor throughout the program,

preparing for their next steps after

earning the HSE diploma.

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Contextualized Math

Students explore and develop math skills in a sector-focused discipline.

When students in Bridge to Science study cellular transport, they calculate

the surface area to volume ratio of cells. Bridge to Business students

analyze cost sheets from a real business plan, calculating annual percent

growth and operating expenses.

Contextualized Literacy

Using nonfiction texts, students explore key questions in their field of

interest, such as the relationship between patients and healthcare providers,

medical ethics in stem-cell research, or the economics of supply and

demand. In Bridge to Health, students read about epidemics, end-of-life

decisions and patient case studies, developing knowledge in sector-specific

concepts and building academic skills based on the College and Career

Readiness Standards.

BRIDGE PROGRAM STUDENTS: WHO WE SERVE

Bridge students are a

diverse group with complex

needs:

Roughly 50 percent of

students are 26 years or

older.

More than half of students are parents.

45 percent of Bridge students are foreign-born.

More than half of the students are employed.

More than 50 percent of students receive some form of public assistance.

More than 50 percent of students enter the program reading at the 7th or

8th grade level.

Three Bridges to

Career and College

Each Bridge Program

focuses on a specific

career sector and

provides scaffolded

lessons, projects and

assignments that

develop the literacy,

numeracy and critical

thinking skills students

need to pass the High

School Equivalency

exam and succeed in

postsecondary

education.

Bridge to Health

Patient care

Epidemics

Nutrition

Infection control

Bridge to Science

Cells

Genetics

Scientific method

Evolution

Bridge to

Business

Economic

principles

Entrepreneurship

Professional ethics

BRIDGE CURRICULUM DESIGN

Departmental Recognitions and Awards

2014 Literacy Recognition Award for Executive Director Amy Dalsimer, Literacy Assistance Center, New York City

2013 Dr. James C. Hall Award for Exemplary Non-Credit Program, Continuing Education Association of New York

2011 Exemplary Program Award for Amy Dalsimer and Christine Alvarez, National Council for Continuing Education and Training

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