PREP is a mathematics-based academic enrichment program, running for eight weeks during the summer, aimed at middle and high school students. Students learn about mathematics, logical thinking, abstract reasoning, computer science, and the mathematical sciences. PREP has been replicated as the Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program (TexPREP) on 25 college campuses in 15 Texas cities, and as Proyecto Access on nine college campuses in eight states outside of Texas.

When San Antonio PREP first started, the conventional wisdom of the day was that the program was doomed to fail because middle school and high school students would never want to spend eight weeks during the summer in the study of mathematics and its applications.

Furthermore, minority students would not succeed in this structured and disciplined environment. Indeed in 1979, an article was published in a San Antonio Magazine concerning the establishment of an engineering program at UTSA. A quotation appeared in opposition to this program which said to wit: "The Mexican American community is not where engineers come from anyway". Now 19 years of operation have belied those predictions.

The following statistics are based on data collected prior to 2002
Since 1979, 8,375 middle school and high school students have successfully completed at least one summer component of San Antonio PREP. 78% have come from minority groups underrepresented in science and engineering, 54% have been women, and 50% have come from economically disadvantaged families. 2,411 of 4,740 college age former participants responded to the latest survey.

Their high school graduation rate is 99.9%
91% are college students(1,194), Junior college graduates(14) or Senior College graduates(994)
The college graduation rate of college attendees is 90%
77% of the college graduates are minority
52% of the college graduates are engineering, mathematics or science majors
70% of the engineering, science and mathematics graduates are minorities
86% of the college students(1,097) and graduates(790) attended Texas colleges.
45% of the college students(645), Junior college graduates(14) and Senior College graduates(342) attended San Antonio area colleges

Since 1986, San Antonio PREP, has been replicated in ten other Texas cities and seven cities outside of Texas. The statewide program is called the Texas Prefreshman Engineering Program(TexPREP). The nationwide program is called PROYECTO ACCESS.

For more information: go to www.texprep.org


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