>> Metro Academy's
initiative is a redesign
of the first two
years of college
when students are most
likely to drop out.
>> And it's working.
The majority of Metro
students are graduating
in five years while other
students, if they graduate
at all, are graduating in six
or more years to get through.
>> In the United States
we've done a great job
with improving access
to higher education.
However, the gap in
college completion rates
between low-income,
underrepresented students
and their more affluent
white counterparts has more
than doubled in the
last 35 years.
In a state like California where
75% of all the young people come
from communities of color
that is just unacceptable.
We began Metro with the
conviction that we can,
and we must, do better.
>> Students learn the
language and culture
of higher education in Metro.
They gain confidence because
their curriculum is relevant
to their lives and courses
are late, giving them time
to build academic skills.
They work hard to bolster
their critical thinking,
to write with purpose and
clarity, speak clearly
and powerfully, and use data
to enhance their arguments.
Throughout the program
they continue
to develop strong
academic identities.
>> Metro provided a community.
In the classes we were able
to tell our own stories
and share our personal
responses rather than just being
in the back of a lecture class
and just you know staying quiet.
But once I was in
Metro I felt empowered
to speak and share my voice.
>> Education isn't just a paper.
It's knowledge that
you get to keep,
and no one takes
that away from you.
>> Now after going to Metro I --
I really want to just keep going
to school, just trying to
achieve more than just working
at some fast food restaurant.
>> For me the reading
and writing was absolutely
wonderful.
I loved it off the top
because it gave me a picture
of what I really
want to do in life.
>> The Metro program
is super important
for first-generation
students for many reasons.
I can't ask my mom how
she did it you know.
If I have a question
you're there you know.
You help me; you
point the direction,
and I walk it you know.
And I'm pretty grateful
for that.
>> An education or
schooling experience
that is socially relevant
is a pedagogical approach
with the goal of providing
students with the space
to not only understand
and engage in discussions,
assignments, and readings on the
issues of injustices they see
in their communities,
but also the space
where they can critically
analyze these issues
to better understand
their root causes.
Metro helps students to find
that emotional space for them
to challenge the
injustices and to envision
and build the communities
that they want to live in.
>> Big part of Metro
is critical thinking.
And part of it was the
social justice aspect.
If I want to see change I'm
going to create the change.
And question, don't be afraid
to question if someone's wrong,
or definitely challenge that.
>> Metro helped me be
aware of my community
and how my community
is oppressed.
Just being aware that the issues
can be fixed has changed my life
completely, changed the way
I interact with my community,
changed the way I
interact with my peers.
And I feel like that's
really priceless.
>> It was really
relevant to my own life.
When I would tell my family
or my friends they were like,
"Oh, well what is that?"
And I would explain it to them,
and then I was teaching them
what I was learning, too.
>> In Metro we deliberately
create community among students
and faculty.
For students this
helps them keep going
with their studies
even when it's hard.
And for faculty the learning
community gives them the
supports they need to really
develop as better teachers.
>> We have a really small
community, so it's really easy
to be able to talk to the
different students as well
as get to know the
teachers individually.
>> Probably nothing stronger
about what Metro does than --
than fostering this
culture of accountability.
We have it among faculty, in
our faculty learning community,
and I know the students
have it among themselves
where somebody will
text you [inaudible],
"How are you doing?"
And, "Don't fall behind."
And you know, "Come
to study group."
>> What makes a great teacher
is someone that you know
that you can go to, and you know
that that person will sit there
and listen, actually take
in what you're saying,
and that communication
is like the root.
That's the core.
>> I know that as years go
by, I develop professionally,
that'll be something that's
really important is the
humility, and willingness,
and openness
to learning from students.
>> Teaching is an experiment
that sometimes works well
and sometimes doesn't.
And it's important
as a good teacher
for us to -- to know why.
>> Students are the
future, right?
And -- and I see them really
thinking about the concepts
that we're presenting in the
classroom in a critical way.
And -- and to think
about how it impacts them
and in turn how they can
impact that situation.
So that to me is inspiring
to see, to see that process.
>> We will graduate, not
just with a diploma in hand,
but with an education,
ready to change the world.