The Grand Canyon University and Alhambra High School Initiative: A Partnership for Community Success

The Grand Canyon University and Alhambra High School Initiative: A Partnership for Community Success

Dr. Tacy Ashby, vice president of Strategic Educational Alliances for Grand Canyon University (GCU), introduced the partnership project called Alhambra Initiative, stating the aim is to raise student achievement.

Claudio Coria, Alhambra High School (AHS) principal; Dr. Joe Veres, GCU director of K-12 Outreach; and Dr. Ted Coe, GCU College of Education assistant dean, rattled off goals, strategies and recent outcomes of the fledgling program.

In short, the GCU Learning Lounge is a physical space on the university campus, which allows AHS students to receive free tutoring services and much more –mentor relationships, free meals, memories and a boost of confidence – from 3 – 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

While Mr. Coria explained AHS is yet to be a top-rated school, he said he is proud to see students excelling and mastering new skills. Mr. Coria explained AHS has not only seen an increase in tests scores, but also a spike in teacher confidence and involvement.

“Our teachers feel powerful,” said Mr. Coria, in response to a question from Dr. Coe about the ways he sees the initiative impacting his educators.

Dr. Veres talked strategy, but also pulled on the heart strings of attendees. He explained the Learning Lounge staff hears stories from AHS students proclaiming they can finally raise their hands during class to solve math equations on the board. Even better, GCU mentors celebrated with AHS students yesterday who finally passed their Arizona's Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) tests, enabling graduation. Dr. Veres then turned the microphone over to his GCU colleague.

Dr. Coe, a well-known professional within the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) community, works with six AHS math teachers as a facet of the Alhambra Initiative. He explained the importance of building up ways of thinking and not just ways of doing.

“We have to figure out how to outthink and outdo a computer,” he said, addressing the idea that technological advances might extinguish the need for teachers. Addressing technical strategies, he offered his contact information to further details and assistance in math.

Lastly, Dr. Beverly Hurley, GCU director of academic alliances, said the opportunity for further K-12 collaboration begins by examining the benefits of the GCU Participants in Learning, Leading and Serving (PLLS) alliance. Short on time, Dr. Hurley, recently retired superintendent of the Buckeye Union High School, offered the presenters’ time outside of the conference for greater discussions about partnerships.

ASPRA Reporter Shannon Maule, Grand Canyon University