Access Handbook

Question 1

What are the three main components of Access scholarship programs?

Answer 1

After school instruction, enhancement activities, and intensive sessions

Question 2

Are intensive sessions mandatory or optional?

Answer 2

Optional

Question 3

What are the minimum instruction hours for a scholarship program?

Answer 3

360

Question 4

Can the 360 minimum hours include enhancement activities and intensive session hours?

Answer 4

Yes.

Question 5

Can scholarship classes occur during the weekend?

Answer 5

Yes.

Question 6

Are American textbooks required?

Answer 6

No, but encouraged.

Question 7

What are the 4 main topics of enhancement activities?

Answer 7

1) U.S. Culture and Values
2) Personal Development
3) Community Service
4) Computer / Technology Skills

Question 8

What is the minimum number of course topics (listed below) that Access scholarship programs must cover in the program?
U.S. Holidays
U.S. History
U.S. Popular Culture
U.S. Education
Gender Issues
Environment
Ethnic Tolerance
Democracy
Civil Society.

Answer 8

3

Question 9

Do Access scholarship students need travel insurance when traveling outside their city for intensive sessions or enhancement activities?

Answer 9

Yes, unless the session is within the program city limits.

Question 10

Is an Access Program Coordinator position mandatory?

Answer 10

Yes.

Each Access program must have an Access Coordinator that serves as the liaison between the Access teachers and the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. The Access Coordinator should also provide support to the teachers concerning administrative matters. Since the Access Coordinator will work with the U.S. Embassy and be responsible for completing the reports, the Coordinator should have good English skills.

Question 11

Is a teaching assistant mandatory?

Answer 11

No, but encouraged for programs with more than 18 students.

Question 12

How many years of teaching experience should an Access teacher have?

Answer 12

At least 3.

Holding a university degree(s) with the qualification “English Language Teacher” and at least three years of experience working with students.
• Strong desire and motivation to work with disadvantaged youth.
• Dedication to working with Access students.
• Ability to organize and participate in enhancement and out-of-class activities.
• Willingness to attend professional development and Access Program events organized by the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
• Availability for the weekly number of hours in the afternoons during weekdays or on Saturday mornings.
• Basic knowledge of U.S. society and culture.
• Basic computer skills with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint), an internet browser (Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, etc.), and e-mail.

Question 13

Can Access program staff be paid a monthly salary or must all work hours be reported as hourly?

Answer 13

Hourly!

Access is a cost-reimbursable program, so work hours (not monthly salary) must be reported.

Question 14

Are opening and/or closing ceremonies mandatory?

Answer 14

No, but highly encouraged.

Question 15

What organization is responsible for financial auditing of Access scholarship programs?

Answer 15

Post

Question 16

Can a provider start purchasing materials before their agreement is signed?

Answer 16

No.

Question 17

Can an Access agreement be amended after it has been signed?

Answer 17

Yes.

Examples: Costs increases, budget realignment, etc.

Question 18

When recruiting students, whose responsibility is it to verify the participant comes from an economically disadvantaged background?

Answer 18

The provider.

Question 19

Must all Access programs be gender-balanced?

Answer 19

In theory.

Question 20

Can Access programs have a wait list and/or auditing students?

Answer 20

Yes, this is encouraged.