Program can be ‘Gateway’ to both diploma, degree

Some Newton-area youth might feel like all of their educational opportunities have slipped away.

That’s exactly the group that one Des Moines Area Community College program is targeting. The “Gateway to College” program is entering its sixth year, and recently developed an arrangement with the Newton Community School District.

The NCSD board voted unanimously at its Feb. 9 meeting to approve a memorandum of understanding between the district and DMACC regarding the program.

The Gateway program is for students, age 16-20, who are behind on credits and have exhausted all of their high school district’s options in programs. It allows students to attend DMACC without being charged for tuition, books or supplemental supplies, and to pursue credits toward both a regular high school diploma and a college certificate or degree, until the semester when a student turns 21.

However, unlike regular DMACC students or dual-enrollment students, qualifiers for the Gateway program must have the approval of their school district’s administration, and must be behind in credits for age and grade level to graduate on time. They must still live in the DMACC district as well, be able to get to one of the college’s centers, and be able to read at an eighth-grade level or higher.

Most importantly, students must be excited and motivated to work toward both a high school diploma and a college degree or certificate — or the arrangement won’t work. Ahmed Agyeman is an associate director of program development at DMACC. He has a desk at the college’s Southridge Mall center, but he spends a lot of time on the road at other sites.

“This program is not for every kind of student,” Agyeman said. “But it’s exciting to see the light go on, and see students get into the routine, and pursue their goals.”

Students can take their lowest-level college classes at any of the DMACC locations, such as the Newton Campus. However, Agyeman said many students find one of the college’s trade-specific programs, such as the paralegal program offered at the urban campus or those offered as part of the FFA Enrichment Center on the Ankeny Campus, will be where they want to finish their degree or certificate.

Transportation is a major issue, in some cases, Agyeman. DMACC has so many students close to Knoxville High School, it runs a shuttle from there to Southridge. Getting students from rural Story County or Warren County, Agyeman said, is particularly challenging, even with career centers located in Ames and other places outside the main Des Moines metro area.

Newton High School Principal Bill Peters said it’s the responsibility of administrators to figure out how to give students an education that is useful.

“I believe that this program offers an alternative setting that will match the needs of some students,” Peters said. “Not all kids fit into the same mold, and hopefully, we can meet their educational needs by altering the delivery model.” The Gateway program began about five years ago with a grant from Walmart, but it’s now a regularly funded program, with a long list of donating organizations that includes the Gates Foundation. The program is available at 43 colleges in 23 different states, Agyeman said. It served only Des Moines Public Schools at first, but DMACC now has agreements with Knoxville, Norwalk and Carlisle.

Now that Newton has been added to that list, Agyeman can turn his attention to Ames, which is reviewing a similar agreement. He hopes the college can also get agreements soon with the Saydel, Southeast Polk, Northeast Polk and West Des Moines districts.

Agyeman said each student is evaluated for whether the program will work for them (some are really close to graduating — others are simply too far behind in credits), and a contract is signed. Students meet with staff regularly to discuss their needs, and some take “life skills” or “college experience” classes to become acclimated.

Agyeman said students from other Jasper County schools that don’t have Gateway agreements with DMACC might still be able to enroll in the program. They will need their high school district’s permission and referral before enrolling. Newton students who qualify can enroll as soon as they are referred by NCSD.

“I want every student to start on their future right now,” Agyeman said. “We’re not here just to enforce rules. We want to help and support hard-working students who are ready to finish school.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com.