College Readiness Academic Mentoring (CRAM) Program
What Is CRAM?
CRAM is the newest initiative from Bay Area Tutoring Association. It was inspired by the required shift to online learning, the college admissions changes caused by COVID19 and the U.S. Department of Education program Upward Bound. CRAM was created in cooperation with San Jose State University’s Office of Undergraduate Studies, Evergreen/San Jose City College Milpitas Extension, local churches and other nonprofit organizations.
Why Now?
COVID19 has forever changed higher education. BATA wants to ensure 5th-12th grade students from underserved, immigrant, EL, foster youth, low income communities and others keep higher education top of mind.
What is the Purpose?
CRAM inspires 5th-12th grade students from underserved, immigrant, EL, foster youth, low income communities and others. CRAM provides participants the opportunities to better understand different types of colleges, their purposes, financing/scholarship options and the a glimpse of college experience through virtual and on campus visits.
CRAM has 3 primary goals:
- Develop life-long learning academic mindset in its participants
- Ensure success in precollege performance activities and A-G classes
- Increase higher education pursuit, acceptance and completion
In order to accomplish our goals, CRAM provides online presentations from college counselors, college graduates and college literature for review. CRAM also provides a guest speaker series from inspirational community leaders, elected officials, entrepreneurs, C-Level business leaders, professional athletes, musicians and performing arts majors.