Helping Maine’s Low Income and Potential First Generation College Youth Access Higher Education Since 1977

Maine Educational Talent Search (METS)

• is the ONLY early intervention federal TRIO Program in Maine - METS serves students in grades 6 through 12.
• has 28 years of successful experience in helping Maine students aspire to, prepare for, and enroll in college.
• currently serves 1636 students in Maine – in 59 needy schools in 18 districts.
• is funded entirely by United States Dept. of Education and sponsored by the University of Maine’s College of Education and Human Development.
• A potential first generation college student is someone whose parents did not earn a bachelors degree.

The Mission of the METS is to

• increase the awareness of post secondary educational opportunities available to Maine’s low income, first generation youth (grades 6-12) that desire to pursue a post secondary education
• assist 1550 of these eligible youth in successfully completing their secondary education and preparing for successful entry into post secondary educational programs, with the goal of ultimately earning a college degree.

Why Educational Talent Search in Maine?

• In Maine - 22% or 75,644 youth live at or below 150% of the poverty level.! (US Census Bureau 2000)
• 77% of individuals aged 25 or over in Maine do not have a college degree. Maine ranks 38 in the nation in this category. (US Census Bureau 2000 and Maine Center for Economic Policy)
• Only 66% of 2001 Maine high school graduates enrolled in college the following fall.!(ME Dept of Education).
• Students from families whose parents did not attend college score significantly lower on the Maine Educational Assessment than students whose parents are college educated (ME Dept of Education)
• Nationally, youth in families whose income level places them in the bottom quartile (TRIO eligible) have approximately an 8% chance of having earned a bachelors degree by age 25. (Mortensen, 2004)
• first generation students are 50% less likely to go on to college.

A Measure of Student and Program Success

• Maine Educational Talent Search has a notable record of student and program success. In 2005,
• 84% of METS students enrolled in post-secondary education.
• 83% of 1636 METS students achieved a C+ or greater grade point average.
• 90% of METS students continued to their second year of post secondary education.
• METS has assisted more than 9,000 Maine Youth enroll in college since 1977.

Why Is METS Successful?

METS students experience a diverse curriculum - as well as opportunities that enhance their development and promote higher education. Our services focus on:

• Academic Skills (i.e. test-taking, study skills, etc)
• Personal Skills (i.e. self-concept, decision making)
• College Awareness & Planning
• Career Education & Exploration
• Financial Planning/Financial Aid process

METS Succeeds - Year After Year

METS has established collaborative relationships with schools, communities and parents. For low income, first generation students, METS builds the expectation of higher education beginning in the 6th grade. Program success is predicated on early planning and awareness as well as early preparation for the rigors of higher education. Continued success represents the opportunity for disadvantaged Maine youth in accessing higher education, therefore breaking the cycle of poverty.

“With my METS advisor’s help, I have been given the opportunity to explore many exciting careers and colleges….most of all…my advisor helped me fully realize the importance of higher education.”

--Monique Emerson Jonesport, Maine

“My Talent Search advisor instilled in me the importance of higher education….and taught me that college could open many doors and that it is a time of growth and self exploration.”

--Tiffany Verdell Bridgton, Maine

“METS opens opportunities that students might not know about or take advantage of…and gives students personal attention over a long period of time. Students need someone to take a personal interest in them and let them know what opportunities are out there.”

--Roger Lowell, Principal Lake Region High School Bridgton, Maine

Maine’s low income, first generation youth deserve equal opportunity and access to higher education.

For more information about TRiO programs visit:

http://mets.maine.edu
www.meeoa.org
www.neoaonline.org
www.coenet.us