The George Washinton University's Freshman Transition Initiative

Get Focused…Stay Focused!™ Initiative




Get Focused...Stay Focused!
Modeled after The George Washington University’s Freshman Transition Initiative using the Course Standards for Freshman Transition Classes, the Santa Barbara, Calif. community has come together to create an innovative adaptation, the Dual Enrollment Freshman Transition Project (DEFT). Following the recommendations in IES Practice Guide for Dropout Prevention, this whole-school redesign model meets the six research-based recommendations for programs supporting school completion.

DEFT is designed to introduce strategies beginning in the 9th grade year and continuing beyond high school into college as noted in the What Works Clearinghouse Comparison Chart of Course and Dropout Recommendations. This is a strong high school to college transition program geared to improve college preparation of high school students and to improve the success rates of incoming college students. The DEFT employs a 10-year educational plan that guides students through high school, on to postsecondary education and training, and into the workforce.

To learn more about the DEFT project, visit www.getfocusedstayfocused.org.