THE METAS PROGRAM
About Us
METAS, the Spanish word for goals, is also a special program at Contra Costa College which focuses primarily on helping junior high and high school Latino/a students to achieve their personal, educational, and career goals.
METAS builds a network of support for students through a unique instructional and tutoring program, as well as through parent involvement. Services are provided bilingually. The METAS program consists of three main areas which include tutoring, instruction, and parent involvement.
METAS Mission Statement
The purpose of the METAS program is to engage collaboratively with Latino/a students to supplement their academic skills in order to meet the demands of junior high school and high school and the expectations of a post-secondary education. The program emphasizes cultural integrity and the realization of personal and education goals through academic support, role modeling and the fostering of inter-generational relationships.
The purpose of the Metas tutors is to contribute to the development of the educational foundation of our students by role-modeling, motivating, and promoting self-expression so that they can achieve their goals, "sus metas."
THE METAS PROGRAM
Tutoring: The tutoring component consists of matching groups of four METAS students with a college student, who in addition to being a tutor acts as a role model and mentor for the METAS students. Each student has two tutors, one focusing on math and science, and the other focusing on study skills and completing homework assignments. Students are required to bring books and schoolwork to every meeting.
Classes: The instruction component consists of two classes, one for junior high students and one for high school students. The classes meet twice a month, after each tutoring session. Through methods such as reading, writing, small group discussions, oral presentations, storytelling, and family biographies, students may develop important academic skills, leadership skills, and self-esteem in an environment which promotes unity and pride in being Latino.
Parent Involvement: The parent involvement component consists of two parts, the parent group and Los Pollitos. Parents meet twice a month, on the same days and times the students meet. The parent group addresses issues which are important for parents in their efforts to support their children's educational goals. Los Pollitos is a child literacy project for the younger siblings of our junior high and high school students. In order for students to participate in Los Pollitos, parents must attend the parent group meeting.
Meeting Times: METAS meets every other Saturday on the Contra Costa College campus in the Fireside room. Tutoring begins at 10 a.m. Lunch is provided at 12 p.m. Instruction is given from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Both the parent group and Los Pollitos meet from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Getting Involved: Metas is open to any junior high or high school student and his/her parents. Registration takes place in the Fall and Spring semesters. Registration is limited.