Portable Assisted Study Sequence (PASS) Program

PASS (Portable Assisted Study Sequence) “Because every student deserves a quality education.”

The portable assisted study sequence, or pass program, was introduced in early 1978. It is under the authority of the fresno county office of education and is sponsored by the fresno unified school board through roosevelt high school. The program’s main goal is to help migrant students obtain a high school diploma.

California’s migrant population has steadily increased over the years. Due to their transient lifestyles, migrant students face many difficulties throughout the educational process. Language barriers, cultural differences and social adjustments are just some of the challenges these students must face. This, coupled with the ever-changing demands in curriculum to prepare students for a complex global economy, makes it imperative to create new opportunities for the migrant student’s education.

The transient lifestyle also makes it difficult to achieve continuity in the learning process. Because of the pass program, students who would have otherwise dropped out of school, are now graduating and going on to further their education.

How Does PASS Work?

The pass program allows the accumulation of credits to be used toward graduation. It’s a supplemental program consisting of workbooks which can be taken by the students when moving to another school. This modular approach offers flexibility to complete a course. As such, the pass program is not in competition for ADA allocation. It benefits all students, particularly migrant students, as it adapts to their individual learning level and learning pace. It serves a specific need for specific students. If students want to excel in mathematics or social science, the pass program allows that opportunity.

Pass is a simple process that begins at the school site. A school counselor assesses the academic needs of the migrant students and reviews the records to select only courses needed. This careful assessment prevents the duplication of units needed for graduation. The counselor also aids the student in the selection of pass supplementary courses.

Enrollment And Participation

After the appropriate selections have been made, the contact person fills out the enrollment form and sends it into the pass program office for processing.

All enrollments are entered into the computer system, which generates the student’s permanent file. Once the entries are made, the course materials are prepared for shipment to the school site. Each course consists of five workbooks, and sometimes, additional texts, magazines, reading books or other educational materials. Test scores from the course are sent to the contact person for distribution to the student. When the course is completed, an official transcript is issued, which is sent to the school’s registrar for posting in the student’s permanent academic record. This process ensures that the student receives appropriate credit. If a course is not completed due to movement to another location, the student can take the instructional material and complete it at the new school site. This portability of courses is recognized throughout California and nationwide.

The PASS Curriculum

The Pass program curriculum is developed by experts in the different content areas and is validated through the Fresno Unified curriculum department. It complies with the California content standards and frameworks, and exit exam requirements. Pass consists of core and elective courses required for high school graduation. The curriculum is continually monitored and revised to reflect the current changes expected by the reform initiatives. The pass program continuously updates and improves the curriculum and services by using state of the art technology, and by providing continuous training to personnel at the school sites. Therefore, the courses have the same rigor as regular high school material.

Each pass course consists of five portable unit workbooks. This division of work acts as a stepping stone to success. With each workbook completed, the student experiences a sense of achievement and develops an incentive toward the course completion. This model also allows the contact person to make a better evaluation of the student’s progress and needs. The pass program office ensures that administrators at the school site receive information about the resources and services available. Yet, it’s up to the school site counselors to identify the students and enroll them into the program. With guidance and continuous monitoring, counselors oversee the students and provide academic motivation.

The Formula For Success

Cooperation between the family, school, administrators, teachers, tutors, parents and student is the formula for personal and academic success. It takes collaboration and a team effort to make it all happen! Parents play a vital role, because their continued support is critical to help the students stay focused. Recognition, perseverance and dedication all help the students reach their educational goals.

Most importantly, it takes the discipline of the migrant student to succeed. A positive attitude and a deep sense of commitment combine to ensure academic excellence. Traditionally for migrant students, graduation has been a difficult goal to obtain. The pass program offers an alternative pathway to success. It works because of the cooperation and assistance of the California department of education, regional directors, school district administration and staff and state and national migrant educators.

The pass program is fulfilling the promise of a brighter future, because every student deserves a quality education.

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	English Video Script
		PASS (Portable Assisted Study Sequence) “Because every student deserves a quality education.” The portable assisted study sequence, or pass program, was introduced in early 1978. It is under the authority of the fresno county office of education and is sponsored by the fresno unified school board through roosevelt high school. The program’s main goal is to help migrant students obtain a high school diploma. California’s migrant population has steadily increased over the years. Due to their transient lifestyles, migrant students face many difficulties throughout the educational process. Language barriers, cultural differences and social adjustments are just some of the challenges these students must face. This, coupled with the ever-changing demands in curriculum to prepare students for a complex global economy, makes it imperative to create new opportunities for the migrant student’s education. The transient lifestyle also makes it difficult to achieve continuity in the learning process. Because of the pass program, students who would have otherwise dropped out of school, are now graduating and going on to further their education. How Does PASS Work? The pass program allows the accumulation of credits to be used toward graduation. It’s a supplemental program consisting of workbooks which can be taken by the students when moving to another school. This modular approach offers flexibility to complete a course. As such, the pass program is not in competition for ADA allocation. It benefits all students, particularly migrant students, as it adapts to their individual learning level and learning pace. It serves a specific need for specific students. If students want to excel in mathematics or social science, the pass program allows that opportunity. Pass is a simple process that begins at the school site. A school counselor assesses the academic needs of the migrant students and reviews the records to select only courses needed. This careful assessment prevents the duplication of units needed for graduation. The counselor also aids the student in the selection of pass supplementary courses. Enrollment And Participation After the appropriate selections have been made, the contact person fills out the enrollment form and sends it into the pass program office for processing. All enrollments are entered into the computer system, which generates the student’s permanent file. Once the entries are made, the course materials are prepared for shipment to the school site. Each course consists of five workbooks, and sometimes, additional texts, magazines, reading books or other educational materials. Test scores from the course are sent to the contact person for distribution to the student. When the course is completed, an official transcript is issued, which is sent to the school’s registrar for posting in the student’s permanent academic record. This process ensures that the student receives appropriate credit. If a course is not completed due to movement to another location, the student can take the instructional material and complete it at the new school site. This portability of courses is recognized throughout California and nationwide. The PASS Curriculum The Pass program curriculum is developed by experts in the different content areas and is validated through the Fresno Unified curriculum department. It complies with the California content standards and frameworks, and exit exam requirements. Pass consists of core and elective courses required for high school graduation. The curriculum is continually monitored and revised to reflect the current changes expected by the reform initiatives. The pass program continuously updates and improves the curriculum and services by using state of the art technology, and by providing continuous training to personnel at the school sites. Therefore, the courses have the same rigor as regular high school material. Each pass course consists of five portable unit workbooks. This division of work acts as a stepping stone to success. With each workbook completed, the student experiences a sense of achievement and develops an incentive toward the course completion. This model also allows the contact person to make a better evaluation of the student’s progress and needs. The pass program office ensures that administrators at the school site receive information about the resources and services available. Yet, it’s up to the school site counselors to identify the students and enroll them into the program. With guidance and continuous monitoring, counselors oversee the students and provide academic motivation. The Formula For Success Cooperation between the family, school, administrators, teachers, tutors, parents and student is the formula for personal and academic success. It takes collaboration and a team effort to make it all happen! Parents play a vital role, because their continued support is critical to help the students stay focused. Recognition, perseverance and dedication all help the students reach their educational goals. Most importantly, it takes the discipline of the migrant student to succeed. A positive attitude and a deep sense of commitment combine to ensure academic excellence. Traditionally for migrant students, graduation has been a difficult goal to obtain. The pass program offers an alternative pathway to success. It works because of the cooperation and assistance of the California department of education, regional directors, school district administration and staff and state and national migrant educators. The pass program is fulfilling the promise of a brighter future, because every student deserves a quality education.

English Video Script