For Immediate Release August 11, 2006
Contact: Ohio College Access Network, Jennifer Blatz (Executive Director)

Evaluation Reports Released on Scholarship Scouts Program & College Access Resource Center

Evaluation Report Released on Scholarship Scouts Program

In 2006, Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) contracted Edvantia to conduct an independent evaluation of the Scholarship Scouts program developed by the Scholarship Central College Access Program in Muskingum County, Ohio. The purpose of Scholarship Scouts is as follows:

Scholarship Scouts are student tutors/mentors who aid other students who have questions or need assistance accessing information about postsecondary education. Scholarship Scouts provide social and emotional support and encouragement and serve as positive role models.

As part of the evaluation, three components of the practice were reviewed: literature supporting the practice, interviews with various people involved, and replication outcomes. Overall results of this evaluation were favorable. The Scholarship Scouts program is a prime example of how mentor-type programs are one of the most cost-effective strategies available. Additionally, peer mentors are often more effective than adult mentors because students tend to identify with those of the same age group. Not only are mentees positively affected, but the students who participated as scouts reported high levels of college going rates, feeling a sense of satisfaction for community services rendered, and leadership skills attained.

Replication results were also encouraging. The program is easily “tweaked” to fit the needs of another program and the start-up costs are minimal. Also, the use of scouts significantly increases the number of students receiving college access information and advice.

The Scholarship Scouts program is a viable way to increase college access awareness and strengthen the character and skills of both the Scouts and those served. “The cost-effectiveness and ease of replication of the Scholarship Scouts program is why OCAN named this program as one of its best practices,” said Mayme Patthoff, Associate Director of OCAN.  “We hope that more OCAN members will consider replicating this program in their organization.”

Please review the full report that is available on the OCAN website at the site listed below.  An implementation manual prepared by Scholarship Central for the Scholarship Scouts program is also available online in the C Section of Building Blocks, www.ohiocan.org/OCANBB

Evaluation Report Released on College Access Resource Center

In 2006, Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) contracted Edvantia to conduct an independent review of the College Access Resource Center developed by the Cleveland Scholarship Programs, Inc. (CSP) in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The College Access Resource Center offers services such as: a broad spectrum of college, financial aid, and career counseling; assisted searches for colleges, majors, careers, and scholarships; online FAFSA filing, scholarship application, college application; FAFSA corrections and financial aid award verification; assistance with special circumstances applications and alternative financing options; referrals to other agencies; computer use. The resources employed by the center are free of charge to anyone interesting in pursuing continued education and include: use of internet-connected computers; knowledgeable and experienced staff; informational flyers and handouts; application materials for FAFSA, ACT, SAT, and some scholarships; college brochures, catalogs, CDs/DVDs, and videos; informational handouts, guidebooks, and the like to certain populations, types of institutions, courses of study, careers; test preparation materials and resources.

Although the idea of a resource center is simple, the implementation of the center proved to be more daunting. The case study revealed that CSP: continuously reviews their services to ensure they are current and applicable; provides a user-friendly atmosphere; offers assistance from trained advisors; individualizes services to specific needs; tracks services rendered. In conclusion, CSP has been successful in implementing such a resource center and only minor obstacles occurred including keeping information current and supplying enough staff to meet demand. Please note that this study is dedicated to implementation, not effectiveness of such a resource center (which is difficult to measure since CSP does not collect outcome data).

Advice to those wishing to replicate is as follows: keep services offered to a manageable level; develop strong relationships with other organizations, agencies, etc.; data management is essential for understanding the need for certain services and outcome data, find an easily accessible, highly visible location; provide necessary technology and a well-trained staff.

“Replication of such a resource center seems straightforward and achievable,” said Mayme Patthoff, Associate Director of OCAN.  “We hope that more OCAN members will consider adding a college access resource center in their community.”

The evaluation of this program can be viewed online in the C Section of Building Blocks, www.ohiocan.org/OCANBB

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The mission of the Ohio College Access Network is to increases awareness of and successful completion in quality postsecondary programs including apprenticeships, certificate, associate, and bachelor degree programs.

Edvantia is a nonprofit education research and development corporation, founded in 1966, that partners with practitioners, education strategies, publishers, and service providers to improve learning and advance student success. Edvantia provides clients with a range of services, including research, evaluation, professional development, and consulting.