Institution Reading Area Community College State Pennsylvania Academic Level Associate Issue Area Academic Program Website https://www.racc.edu/academics/eap-program Key Personnel Eleisha Moreno Program Focus Bilingual /ESL, Developmental Coursework Overview The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program at Reading Area Community College offers developmental courses in reading, writing, and speaking for bilingual and non-native English speakers. Focused on Latino students, EAP enhances academic English skills, provides tutoring, and promotes cooperative learning. The program removes barriers to college access and prepares students for successful completion of freshman composition and other first-year courses, maintaining high course success and retention rates while increasing the number of students completing freshman composition within one year. Program Description Initiated in 2012, the EAP program strategically reduces credit requirements and accelerates student progression through the EAP sequence to boost enrollment and success rates. The program is characterized by a standardized curriculum supported by robust tutoring and mentoring within the Academic Literacy & Language (ALL) Center. Special emphasis is placed on culturally responsive strategies to meet the educational needs of Latino students. These strategies include fostering familial relationships and providing individualized academic coaching, both of which are critical in supporting these students' journeys through the educational system. Outcome Reading Area Community College found that Latino participants in the EAP program have higher course success rates and persistence rates compared to non-Latino EAP students. The program's focus on academic English skills and tailored support services helps Latino students succeed academically. Course Success Rates: In 2022-23, the program had an all-time high of 86% success rate for all its participants and closed the gap between Latino and non-Latino participants. Persistence and Retention: In 2022-2023, the program's retention rate of Latino students was 63%, which was 18% higher than the college's general retention rate. Learn more about Latino College Completion in Pennsylvania Return to Growing What Works Database
