This presentation will provide information about the Mind the Gap program at Thompson Rivers University with specific emphasis on inclusion of all students. The Mind the Gap program brings together K -12 teachers with TRU faculty members to provide engaging opportunities for secondary school students to extend their learning as they transition to post-secondary school. Their collaborative projects included bringing the secondary students to TRU to experience post-secondary classes and events. Specific projects that support the inclusion of all students are: The Employment Skills and Training Program, School District 73/TRU Pride Program, Girls Exploring Trades and Technology, and Connecting English Language Learners.
The transition from secondary to post-secondary school is critical for academic success (Roderick, Nagaoka, & Coca, 2009). Essential to this transition is the communication between the instructors of the two sectors. School-university partnerships which are deliberately designed to have mutuality in roles and relationships, are oriented towards working together, and have a shared conceptual understanding are more likely to be sustainable and lead to increased outcomes for students (Walsh & Backe, 2013).
Key discussion topics will address bridging the divide between educational institutions and instructors to provide enhanced support and knowledge sharing, with ultimate goal of enhancing the educational experience of all learners.
