The Program for Acceleration in Computer Science Careers (PAC) was founded by the Asbury Park-Neptune chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity in partnership with Monmouth University in 1985. Since it inception, the program has been held at Monmouth University, whose School of Science, Technology and Engineering (formerly the School of Information Sciences and Technology) hosts the program.

PAC serves as a complement to the formal education of minority students by making available the experiences and talents of many minority technical and professionals in science, engineering and technology. The program annually provides computer, math, heritage and special subject classes to minority students from the Monmouth and Ocean County areas. To date, the program has served over 1150 children over 16 years.

Project Objectives

The primary objectives of the PAC program include:

• To help prepare minority students academically for careers in computer science
• To demonstrate the increasing relevance of computer science to our society
• To increase student awareness of computer science job opportunities and career paths
• To provide ample minority role models
• To provide positive attitudes toward work

Project Implementation and Project Timeline:

The PAC program consists of two ten-week sessions during the year starting in the fall and concluding in the spring. The weekly sessions are conducted on Saturday mornings, generally running for three hours per session. Attachment A presents the Spring 2000 program schedule.

Teaching and Learning Activities:
During the school year, students from second through twelfth grades participating in the PAC program take part in 20 weeks of Saturday classes centered on three areas:

• Mathematics development to strengthen basic skills and introduce mathematics required for understanding computer science
• Computer science development to establish literacy through hands-on experience
• Tutoring and counseling to address remedial areas with the aim of improving the work ethic, self image and identifying with minority role models

Volunteers from professions like engineering, teaching and business, plan and conduct sessions for the participating students each year. Through additional special presentations, students are able to learn about gaining admission to college, managing anger and peer pressures. African-American heritage and career opportunities, and other topics. In addition, students who have “graduated” from the program will be invited to address the students about the importance of staying in school. One graduate visited this year and he was enthusiastically received. The program also includes an annual field trip for the students. Last year, the destination was the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

Curricular innovations were implemented during 1998-1999 school year. For example, a Monmouth University student tutored two PAC students in advanced mathematics. For students at the second grade level who were accepted into the program (third grade is the normal entry level), two volunteers provided exercises in creative writing in an effort to simultaneously improve reading skills. Some of these writings were presented during the group’s awards breakfast in May.

Plans are underway to improve the curriculum further this year. The volunteers are examining New Jersey’s core curriculum standards and will emphasize math skills during 1999-2000. Plans for the coming school year include the securing of at least 10 peer tutors (high and university) to provide more one-on-one tutoring and mentoring versus the normal group tutoring because the math achievement levels within group and grade levels is too broad. These student tutors with a minimum of 3.0-grade level in math will be paid the minimum wage. In addition, more purchases will be made of instructional and training materials to include, software, books, and pamphlets. Purchase of either a projector to allow laptop presentations to be made or projections from a transparency projector. Finally, more funding will be budgeted to allow one additional trip during the fall session to accommodate students who will not be attending the spring session.

Short-term and Long-term Benefits to the Institution and State, Students and Community

The PAC program successfully completed its fifteenth year in partnership with Monmouth University during the 1998-1999 school year. It has continued to demonstrate an excellent partnership between a university and a community-based organization.

Meeting the objectives of the program, including enhancing the education and interests of the participating students is an obvious benefit not only for the students, but also for the community at large. Over the years, PAC students have successfully entered and completed college and have attributed their success, in part, to the guidance received in the PAC program.

Monmouth University benefits from the partnership in a number of ways as well. PAC introduces students to the University and its facilities making them aware of the educational opportunities available to them should they choose to enroll at Monmouth. PAC also benefits the university by employing students as tutors and instructor aids. As such, these students gain experience and insights into working as educators.

Plans for Continuation of the Program Beyond the State Supported Funding Period

In order to sustain the PAC program beyond the FY 2000 state supported funding period, other private and public funding sources will be explored. For example, local, regional and national corporations that have supported this type of program in the past will be approached regarding their possible interest in funding the program.