MOORPARK : College Gets Federal Grant of $382,665

Moorpark College has been awarded a $382,665 federal grant, the largest in the school’s history, officials said.

But the school will not be able to use any of the money to compensate for possible state funding cuts to the community college system.

“This will not make up for any of the losses we may be experiencing through the state shortfall,” said Ray DiGuilio, the college’s vice president of administrative services.

The U.S. Department of Education awarded the grant to the college on the condition that the school use the money to expand its programs, rather than maintain existing offerings.

The college will spend the money, which will become available Oct. 1, on enhancing its remedial education program and building ties with local business and industry, DiGuilio said.

The school wants to improve its education of students who are not academically prepared for the usual college course work, he said. College officials will use the grant money to better train staff members and hire additional instructional aides for advising and teaching those students.

The funds will also go toward developing better tests for determining the appropriate level of course work for students at risk of failing. In addition, the school will increase its emphasis on keeping track of how those students perform during their college career.