By Dan E. Way : The Herald-Sun
Apr 16, 2008

DURHAM -- Christine Kelly-Kleese knows it's a herculean battle to transform adult students in Durham Technical Community College's Breaking Through program from high school dropout to college graduate.

That's why Kelly-Kleese, the dean and department head of Developmental Education and Instructional Support, said the program is layered with instructors, counselors and mentors offering intensive academic help, words of encouragement and a friendly smile on the bleak days.

Durham Tech has 1,723 students in adult basic education, which is for students who cannot pass testing at the ninth-grade level, and 338 in the GED adult high school track.

But, Kelly-Kleese said, statistics show only 7 percent of those in GED classes complete them, and only 4 percent of those who obtain a GED go on to earn a two-year degree.

Breaking Through, which is a pilot program at 26 community colleges in 17 states, has a much more ambitious target for its adult students.

"Our ultimate goal is to get them an associate's degree," Kelly-Kleese said. Students are moved through lower-level courses to high school tracks and can concentrate their studies in health technologies or industrial systems technology.

Financial incentives and book vouchers are awarded at certain milestones in a student's academic progress.

"It's pricey. It's potentially $475 per student" in incentives if all the milestones are met, Kelly-Kleese said. Money for the rewards came from a private donor, but that $45,000 is about to dry up in six months. The college has agreed to take on the funding at that point, but will look for other private-sector donors.

"I would like to have the problem of looking for more funding," Kelly-Kleese said. The program could accommodate up to 100 students. It now has 56 participants, ranging in age from 18 to 51, mostly black and mostly female.

The biggest hindrance for participants "is life issues," Kelly-Kleese said. Child care, employment and transportation top the list.

"We've funded students who are going to be evicted or their car's broken down," she said.

"We're cautious about that," she said. "We are not a social services agency," so if a bus pass is issued, it is temporary, and counselors work with the student to figure out a more permanent transportation arrangement. Counselors also guide students to appropriate agencies that can help them with their issues.

And, Kelly-Kleese said, the students are consistently reminded that they are putting in the work so they "can start to earn a living wage and support their families."