In 2014, in response to Arizona’s changing landscape, Helios Education Foundation realigned its Arizona engagement strategy to focus on improving outcomes for Latino students throughout the education continuum. The case for this realignment is clear: The long-term prosperity of Arizona and its residents depends on a quality education system that effectively prepares its students for success in college, career, and life.
Arizona has one of the largest and fastest-growing Latino student populations in the nation. In fact, Latinos now comprise the majority of students in Arizona’s K-12 schools. While we have seen recent gains in Latino high school graduation rates, and small incremental gains in statewide math and ELA scores, these students still trail their state and national peers in academic performance and degree completion.
Through our Arizona Latino Student Success Initiative, Helios is committed to improving quality, access, and achievement across the birth-16 continuum, ultimately leading to more Arizona students, and specifically more Latino students, completing two- and four-year degrees.
Below are some examples of our community investments that support our Latino Student Success Initiative.
Reverse Transfer
Reverse Transfer is a partnership with Maricopa County Community College District that allows students who transfer to a university without completing their associate degree to combine community college and university credits to complete their associate degree. In the first year of the initiative, about 250 students received certificates or degrees through the reverse transfer process.
Initial results also showed that reverse transfer is helping Latino students in their postsecondary journey. One third of the students awarded a degree or a credential through the process identified as Hispanic, compared to one quarter of students across the whole district. In addition, more than half of the students graduating as a result of the initiative are the first in their family to go to college.
College Knowing & Going
In partnership with College Success Arizona, Arizona College Access Network (AzCAN), Northern Arizona College Access Network, the Metropolitan Education Commission, and 18 school districts throughout the state, Helios is helping Arizona high school students plan and prepare for success in college. Through this initiative, students take the ACT college entrance exam, at no cost to them, during the school day. They receive assistance with the college application process, and they receive assistance with completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The ultimate goal is to increase the number of students who complete a postsecondary education.
Be a Leader Matriculation Project
In partnership with Be a Leader Foundation and Phoenix Union High School District, Helios is working to increase the number of Phoenix Union High School District students who transition into a postsecondary institution the fall following high school graduation. This project focuses on critical support services to help students move from high school into postsecondary options by providing matriculation supports to students from the beginning of their senior year through postsecondary enrollment the following fall semester.