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Strategies for Retaining & Preparing Latinos at the High School Level

Presented by: Erin Thompson Regional Program Director Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Strategies for Retaining & Preparing Latinos at the High School Level. Outreach Activities. Scholarships Breaking the cycle one student at a time. Breaking the cycle for Latino families. WHO WE ARE.

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Strategies for Retaining & Preparing Latinos at the High School Level

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  1. Presented by: Erin ThompsonRegional Program Director Hispanic Scholarship Fund Strategies for Retaining & Preparing Latinos at the High School Level

  2. Outreach Activities Scholarships Breaking the cycle one studentat a time Breaking the cycle for Latino families WHO WE ARE • HSF is the nation’s leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education • Mission • Strengthen America by advancing the college education of Hispanic Americans. • Vision • To strengthen the nation’s future by ensuring that every Latino household in the U.S. will have at least one college graduate. 

  3. A SNAPSHOT OF OUR POPULATION Characteristics: • In the United Sates there are over 41.3 million Latinos and 1 in every 5 people under the age of 18 is Latino • Latinos have the highest high school dropout rate as compared to other ethnic groups! • Georgia has the lowest high school graduation rate for Latinos: only 32%!! • Although by many standards teen pregnancy rates have dropped, Latino teens still have higher pregnancy/fatherhood rates than their peers from other ethnic groups

  4. MIGRANT FAMILIES Characteristics: • Much more traditional than other Hispanics • High school graduation is a big accomplishment • 1st generation college students • Large majority of students who go to college are males • Transient • Families with “mixed” immigration status

  5. YOUTH DEMOGRAPHICS Percentage Under 18 Years Hispanics are young! • 35.0% are 18 years of age and under, with only 4.9% age 65 and over. • In 2002, the median age was 26.8 compared with 35.7 for all races. • In 2010, Hispanics made up 1 out of 5 young people of high school age, compared with one in ten in 1990, representing two-thirds of the growth in this population. • Hispanics are now the majority minority group in our country Median Age Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

  6. EDUCATION TRENDS High school dropout rates for 16 to 24 year olds Persons 25 years and over who have attained a Bachelor’s degree or higher Source: National Center for Educational Statistics, Dropout Rates in the United States: 2000. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, December 19, 2000.

  7. EDUCATION TRENDS IN GEORGIA The percentage of Hispanic high school students is expected to rise from 2% to 26% and white students to decline from 61% to 39% by 2018* Hispanic college student population: 2.8%** Bachelor’s degree and above (ages 25 years and over):** White Population = 28.70% (1,026,186) Hispanic Population = 14.31% (39,403) *SREB Fact Book on Higher Education 2005 **NCES, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2002

  8. 100 Kindergarten Students 27End their education with a High School Diploma 60 Graduate from High School 15 Go to a4-year Institution 33 Continue to College 14 Make itto the3rd yearof a 4-year Institution 12 Graduate from a 4-year Institution 4Graduate with aGraduate / Professional Degree THE LATINO EDUCATIONAL PIPELINE 3 Transfers to a4-year Institution 40Drop Out of Middle & High School 18 Go to Community College Source: Pew Hispanic Center Mid Decade Report. Integrated with prior trend Hispanic Scholarship Fund data. 2006

  9. CHARACTERISTICS OF HISPANICS IN HIGHER EDUCATION • When Hispanics go to college they are more likely to: • Be first in the family to go to college • Come from low-income background • Enroll in a 2-year institution • Delay entry into post-secondary institution • Attend part-time

  10. BARRIERS TO EDUCATION • Low Income Families: • 1 out of every 2 Hispanic children lives in a family in the lowest income percentile • Parental Education Level • 1out of every 3 Hispanic children live in a family where neither parent has a high school diploma • Immigration status • Acculturation and language issues • Lack of role models • Lack of basic information about the education system and college

  11. WHY IS THE EDUCATION OF HISPANICS SO IMPORTANT? • The return on investment of a better-educated Hispanic workforce is 400 percent (2000 HSF Education Study) • Taxpayers would reap revenue projected at $13 billion through reduced public spending and increased tax contributions among the Hispanic population • Additional benefits would impact the private sector through increased discretionary income and consumer spending

  12. SO HOW DO WE GET THEM THERE?

  13. 1. DUST OFF YOUR PR SKILLS • We have to “sell” the idea of college in the sense that • Sacrificing now will reap greater rewards in the future • There is greater economic security in having an education • Personalize the higher education experience for them • Share stories/pictures of students they know who are currently attending college, especially fellow Latinos • Share about your own college experiences • Help them become better marketers of their own skills • Discuss the benefits of being bilingual • Encourage them to keep track of their accolades and involvements

  14. IN A LANGUAGE WE ALL UNDERSTAND…

  15. A story to motivate and challenge you. This is the story of Rudy…

  16. Keep track of: • Activities • Awards/honors • Leadership positions (class president, treasurer, team captain, etc.) • Community service • Part-time jobs • Summer Programs Why? Because it shows: Time management skills Academic success Responsibility Dependability Leadership Involvement Diversity And most of all it shows that you are… A well-rounded student! Which is great for what?

  17. 2. KNOW HOW TO TALK $$$MONEY$$$ • Frequently integrate discussion of scholarships and other forms of financial assistance into conversation • Did you know there are scholarships for that? • OMG- don’t assume that everyone knows the lingo • Explain terms like FAFSA, SAR, EFC, etc. in terms students can understand • Encourage students to visit sites like GAcollege411 for further explanations of terminology • Help dispel the myth that private school is always more expensive • In many cases private schools have more money to offer • This can be especially true for our undocumented population

  18. But scholarships are only for students with good grades or really good athletes-right?

  19. WRONG!! There are scholarships for just about anything, including: • Gender • Race and/or ethnicity • Musical, dramatic or artistic talent • Service to your community • Leadership • Economic need • Fluency in multiple languages • And even for being left-handed!!

  20. Sample Financial Aid Package StatePrivate Cost $15,000 $30,000 State Scholarship $3,000 $3,000 Institutional Grant $1,975 $9,750 Loan-Stafford $2,625 $2,625 Scholarships $1,000 $8,000 Work-Study $2,000$2,000 Total Aid $10,600 $25,375 EFC $3,000 $3,000 Difference $1,400 $1,625

  21. 3. EMPOWER YOUR STUDENTS- AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE • Don’t stereotype, don’t make assumptions • Talk to ALL of them about college, never assume student can’t succeed! • Set the expectation that ALL must obtain postsecondary education. • Inform them about all the options available after college. • Push them beyond their comfort zones • Encourage them to work hard & set high but realistic expectations. • Whenever possible & appropriate, encourage students to choose the most rigorous courses they are prepared for (ACP, AP, IB) • Teach them to advocate for themselves. • I’ve got your back but I’m not going to do it for you • Encourage them to get organized & prioritize • Hold them accountable for deadlines • This time it’s personal

  22. Preparing During High School 1. GPA 2. College Prep Curriculum 3. Rigorous Courses 4. Standardized Tests 5. Extracurricular Activities 6. Resume 7. Cultivating Relationships 8. Finish the Drill

  23. Your parents have their important papers in a safe place….and you should too!

  24. Get organized-in the way that works for you • Take note of all deadlines • Set your own personal deadlines- and stick to them! • Put it where you’ll see it every day • Prioritize • Follow up • Make sure colleges have what they need from you • Let them know of your continued interest • Finish strong • RELAX!

  25. Some sites with good month-by-month guides: • www.mycollegecalendar.org • www.collegeboard.com • www.nacacnet.org

  26. Top Mistakes • Not reading or following instructions • Not addressing essay question/ too short • Improper grammar & spelling • Entering wrong or forgetting e-mail address • Not updating account with contact info • Having different names in account and documents • Sending incorrect documents • Not mailing documents to correct address • Not double-checking answers before submitting • Not completing all steps in the application

  27. Not all Schools are Created Equally • 2 year vs. 4 year • Public vs. Private • Sure things vs. Dream Schools • Factors to consider: • Selection Criteria • Programs of Study • Academic Rigor • Cost • Location • Size • Campus Life/Student Activities • Special things for you

  28. 4. TODOS INVITADOS • Including the family makes a difference • Explaining the general system of higher education in greater detail helps families feel welcome and included • It makes for a better prepared scholar and a family more apt to support choices that require the child to leave home. • Identify the goals of the parent programs • To actively engage parents to better understand our system of higher education and take part in their children’s decision to attend college • To invite families to find new ways of supporting students • Remind parents that they are their child's first and most important teacher • Inform parents of how their actions and words affect a student’s pursuit of higher education

  29. Suggestions for Engaging Parents • Help parents understand what is expected of their student. Make sure all materials are bilingual. • Talk to parents. Personal connections are important so if language is a barrier, find a translator. • Inform parents about the education system in the U.S. and how they can help the students beyond homework. • Recruit Hispanic parents to help reach out to other parents. • Combine meetings with social activities.

  30. Suggestions for Engaging Parents, cont. • Mail letters of invitation to the parents. Do not rely on flyers or sending messages with the students. • Provide college information at the middle school level. • Make them aware of financial aid resources. • Explain to parents the earning potential of college graduates (financial incentives).

  31. How can parents help? • Make sure your student: • Meets all the requirements! • Starts applications with enough time. • Requests recommendations in a timely fashion. • Reads the instructions carefully. • Proofreads essays. • Provides ALL required documents. • Makes and keep copies. • Submits applications by the deadline!

  32. Your Words Today/ Tus Palabras de Hoy Campaign • Ad Council Campaign on Parental Support • http://yourwordstoday.org/campaign/media/public_service_announcement/ • Free DVD for parents with information on admissions and financial aid

  33. 5. TRANSITION IS KEY • Encourage your students to attend their schools’ summer orientation • Students who have a sense of the campus and know of support resources before classes start have an easier adjustment • Course advisement and placement testing often takes place at this time so missing it could have adverse consequences • If at all possible encourage students and parents to visit campus before making a final decision • Seeing the campus will give a better sense of fit as well as piece of mind • “Desde la vista nace el amor” • Consider hosting a parent transition meeting for those with students starting college

  34. Pre-Advisement/Orientation Sessions • For Students: • Discussion about the lifestyle transition to campus • Discussion of some “toxic class combos” • Share information about resources available to them on campus. • If possible have a representative from a university academic support center present to discuss tutoring, the writing center, math lab, etc. • For Parents: • Presentation and discussion about college life for parents • Discussion about student services (financial aid, tutoring, career center, minority student services, health center, housing, meal plan, campus security) • Time allotted for parents to ask questions and fill out a brief evaluation of the event • Ideally this is done while the students are elsewhere

  35. 6. FURTHER WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR STUDENTS • Be knowledgeable about legislation that can affect Latinos • Stay informed about educational opportunities for undocumented students • Be knowledgeable about resources available for Latinos • Start early (8th-9th grade) and hold meetings in Spanish • Establish mentor programs using influential role models such as college students, teachers, and professionals • Express a genuine desire to learn about their culture • Enlist the help of other organizations: • Scholarship Organizations (HSF, Hispanic College Fund) • Colleges (personnel, student orgs.) • Community-based organizations (JA, Big Brother/Big Sister, Girls Inc., LAA, Boys & Girls Club) • Professional organizations (NSHMBA, SPHE) • Corporations

  36. The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Can Help! • Scholarships • High School Scholarship Program • Georgia Opportunities Scholarship Program • Gates Millennium Scholarship • College Scholarship Program • Outreach • Presentations to Students • Presentations to Parents • Town Hall Meetings • Steps for Success • Scholar Chapters • Goal is to promote academic success and student engagement among Latino college students by encouraging them to serve as role models and leaders in their communities. • Each chapter has a student coordinator trained by HSF who receives guidance on curriculum and programming to assist Latino students on their campus succeed.

  37. What if my GPA or my residential status make me ineligible for an HSF scholarship? • There are still options • Refer to the sheet provided at the HSF table for some options, with particular attention to the sites www.maldef.org, www.fondofuturo.com, and www.latinocollegedollars.org • Apply early and apply for all the scholarships that you can (thing Rudy!) • Think outside the box, think local, think about who you know, and ask often! • Remember NO award is too small to apply for- free money is free money! • If everything else fails- DETOUR PLAN: • Remember part-time is always an option • Start at a community college • Ask at the institutions about other types of assistance. • Communicate and explain your case. • You are not the only, the first, nor the last one

  38. CONTACT US… Hispanic Scholarship Fund 1-877-HSF-INFO (toll free) www.yourwordstoday.org www.hsf.net

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