What is TRIO?
Larry Oxendine, Director, Federal TRIO Programs
To help fulfill the goal of President Bush’s education initiative, “No Child Left Behind”, high quality postsecondary educational opportunities must be available to all students. In keeping with this goal, the Federal TRIO Programs provide outreach and support programs to help low-income, first-generation college, and disabled students progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs.
The history of TRIO is progressive. It began with Upward Bound, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the administration's War on Poverty. In 1965, Talent Search, the second outreach program, was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, which was originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960's, the term "TRIO" was coined to describe these federal programs.
University of Idaho TRiO Programs
The University of Idaho is home to nine federal TRIO Programs. Upward Bound, Northwest Nations Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search and the Regional Center for Math and Science serve pre-college (those still in middle and high school) students. McNair, Student Support Services, Idaho Educational Opportunity Center, and Northwest Nations Educational Opportunity Center serve post-secondary students here at the University. Trio Training serves the Trio community by providing training workshops for administrators and educators.
 |