Scholars Academy
Overview
The Scholars Academy at MTSU has been developed to identify and support underserved students who have academic abilities in any of the intelligences (as defined by Gardner, 1996; Shaw, 1990). These students might also be described as "bright”, “talented”, but underachieving. A percentage of the students targeted each year for this program are students who are or could be in the Tennessee foster care or similar systems and who express an interest in getting a college education.
The first year (2005), students for this program were high school seniors and who signed contracts to enter MTSU and remain in the Academy through college graduation. A network of advocates, educators, and students were identified to be trained, to identify, recommend, mentor, and tutor Academy students. The Academy also involves the families of its students (as the students’ culture defines family).
The Academy includes four components: academic, social services, career, and research. The academic activities begin during the students’ high school years with endeavors that prepare students for the college experiences. At the end of the high school senior year, selected students will have five weeks of summer school as a group during the fourth MTSU summer school session and weekly meetings in the fall and spring semesters. Students remain in the program through college graduation.
Structure of the Academy
The academic experiences involve creative and culturally appropriate methods to increase excellence in writing, reading, math, the arts, and career choices. Students are exposed to places and things and use learning methods that excite and stimulate their desire to learn and excel.
The social services program ensures that the students and their families are supported in ways that respect their culture and increase their resources. The purpose of the social services component is to provide a mechanism to address difficulties that are not necessarily related to schoolwork in origin but affect academic performance in reality. Both paid staff and student interns are in the social service roles.
The career program identifies corporations and businesses that can provide resources and guidance to students about careers and can offer real employment possibilities. Sponsors are identified for the Academy who can help with scholarships, internships, and an endowed scholarship fund. Gaylord is the first mega corporate partner who will both provide and share in the scholarship benefits for selected Gaylord STARS and their children.
The research component of the Academy coordinates various activities that will result in the evaluation of every aspect of the program and the development and dissemination of information about educating culturally diverse students so that they excel. This unit collects information about the actual Academy and how to improve and expand it. Aggregate information about the students and the long-term effects of this project are a part of the scope of work of this component.
As of the beginning of the 2009 spring semester, the Scholars Academy boasts a huge 79% retention rate. Because the minority achievement gap is a national problem, it is critical that we find solutions that can be replicated across the country. We are focused on identifying resources to work with more students and to work with students earlier in high school.