Promising Practices in Guidance

Rancho Santiago Community College District was recently recognized by the California Department of Education for excellence in providing student guidance. Learn about these promising guidance practices and how educators at Rancho Santiago are equipping students today for future success.

Each year the California Department of Education (CDE) gives Promising Practices Awards to recognize California ABE, ASE, and ESL adult education providers who have implemented strategies and practices to help students attain their goals. This year, Orange Education Center and Santa Ana College of Continuing Education, both in the Rancho Santiago Community College District, received awards in the area of Guidance. One award honored a transition assistance program, and the second recognized the district for counseling and student support services.

The STARS Program (Students Transitioning and Registering Services) at Orange Education Center offers noncredit students the opportunity to learn how to smoothly transition to college credit classes at Santiago Canyon College. The program includes workshops that teach transition skills and provides students with access to resources that help as they continue on to postsecondary education.

Students are given academic planning guides, lists of college resources and services, course selection guides, and many other materials. Counselors and outreach staff facilitate transitions by offering the guidance that students need to navigate the complex matriculation process, and students benefit from the comprehensive support they receive while attending STARS.

A study conducted by the Rancho Santiago CCD Research Department shows that students at Santiago Canyon College who have attended adult education courses transfer to four-year universities at a higher rate than those with no background in adult education. The STARS project prepares students to succeed in postsecondary education and beyond. Former STARS students report that they felt prepared for transition and were knowledgeable about the process.

Santa Ana College of Continuing Education combines intensive counseling and student support with its vocational business certification programs to offer Vocational Business Skills certificates. The counseling helps students meet pre-determined goals as they work toward obtaining vocational certificates in areas such as customer service and administrative assistance. A counselor is assigned to the Business Skills Lab and meets individually with students to create an educational plan and to discuss students’ progress. Counselors continually follow up with students throughout the program. This one-on-one guidance helps students determine exactly what steps they must follow to achieve a vocational certificate and obtain meaningful employment.

The Vocational Business Skills Certificate program is successful because it directly addresses the students’ need for skills that will help them venture down career pathways. Approximately 40 percent of participants complete one or more vocational certificates. Students have reacted positively toward the Vocational Business Skills certificate programs at Santa Ana and have shown interest in other similar state-approved programs. Santa Ana College is currently developing curriculum for more certificate programs, and their efforts promise to create more opportunities for adult learners.