|
Family College
"Learning that Lasts a Lifetime"
Initiated in 1992 by Leon M. Goldstein, President of Kingsborough Community College, Family College is an innovative collaborative program of The City University of New York, the New York City Public Schools, and the Human Resources Administration (HRA). Family College offers men and women receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) an opportunity to receive a tuition-free college education.
 While parents pursue an Associate Degree at Kingsborough's state-of-the-art 71-acre campus located in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, their children are enrolled in pre-kindergarten through second grade in The Board of Education's model Super Start Plus Program, also located on the Kingsborough campus. Involvement by professionals -- including college and elementary school faculty, academic and financial aid counselors, and program administrators -- helps to ensure that the Family College experience is a successful one for both parent and child.Learning together, parents become role models for their children and lend support to their youngsters' educational development. Parents are able to pursue their career aspirations knowing that their children are safe and within easy reach.
A Program for Parents Once accepted into Family College, parents take the CUNY Freshman Skills Assessment Test (FSAT) to determine their academic placement level in reading, writing, and mathematics.
Parents who are not ready for college-level courses, as indicated by FSAT results, participate in mathematics and/or English Development (remedial) courses to prepare for the regular college course of study. Parents whose first language is other than English, or who have special language needs, receive tutoring in English language skills in conjunction with an English course.As Family College students, parents also enroll in several specialized institute courses including a Student Orientation course, a Behavioral and Social Science course, and a Humanities course. These institute courses focus on family development issues.
Family College students have a wide range of HRA-approved curricula to choose from in career fields leading to financial independence from AFDC. Typical majors include business, office management, the health professions, early childhood education, computer science, environmental health, travel and tourism, etc.
The on-campus Family College early childhood program, designated by the N.Y.C. Board of Education as P.S. 225 Annex, is directed by a caring professional staff in a safe and nurturing environment that fosters learning. The school day begins at 8:40 a.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m. While parents are attending college courses, children receive a complete education in a school setting in which they are encouraged to explore, discover and learn through a variety of experiences. The latest teaching methods and materials are used by experienced Board of Education teachers. The services of an on-site social worker, family assistant, psychologist and speech pathologist are available to help enhance the quality of each child's early education experience. Through ongoing interaction between teachers and counselors, the program ensures that youngsters' academic and personal needs are met.
Family College students can feel secure that while they are attending classes, their children are being cared for and are receiving an outstanding education. After completing the second grade, children continue their education in a neighborhood school, taking with them the important learning experience that Family College offers.
 Send e-mail to Family College or . . .
call the Family College office at Kingsborough Community College (718)368-5170.
|
