ST. GEORGE – Dixie State University was recently awarded a $50,000 “Step Up” grant from the Utah System of Higher Education for the purpose of improving college readiness for high school students in the Washington County School District. In partnership with the district, DSU will use the money in an effort to prepare more students for college by encouraging them to enroll for a fourth year of high school mathematics.

According to the ACT organization, only 22 percent of high school students are prepared overall for college, with only 40 percent of students prepared for college-level algebra. Consequently, many students have to enroll in remedial math courses while in college just to get caught up, and, according to Complete College America, nearly 4-in-10 students never make it out of remedial education.

“We are excited to work with the local school district on this important initiative,” DSU Executive Director of Enrollment Services Dr. David Roos said. “These funds will not only be used to raise the math awareness level, but DSU students will actually be hired and sent to the local high schools to tutor high school students who are having a difficult time with math.”

Three Washington County schools were selected for the initial rollout of the “Step Up” program, including Pine View, Dixie, and Snow Canyon high schools.Washington County School District officials hope this new initiative will provide students the math skills necessary to advance on to college or other post-high school education or employment opportunities.

“We’re not unique in Washington County with how many of our students struggle with math or try to avoid it altogether,” Washington County School District Counseling Coordinator Colin Metzer said. “This grant will help us take an important step to address this challenge, and provide a great opportunity for DSU and the School District to work together to positively impact students and their preparation for college and career.”

For more information about the grant program, please contact Roos at telephone 435-652-7704 or by email to [email protected].

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