Guiding the Way to Higher Education : Families, Counselors, and Communities Together And

1. Guiding the Way to Higher Education: Families, Counselors, and Communities Together And Step-by-Step to College Workshops for Students

2. Six out of every ten jobs in our economy depend on workers with at least a two-year college degree. A shortage of 14 million college-educated workers is predicted by 2020. Despite extensive financial aid expenditures, the gap between low-income and high-income students attending college today is roughly the same as that participation gap in the 1960s. Improving academic preparation for college and ensuring affordability, especially for low-income students and students of color, has widespread support from researchers, policymakers, and advocates. An Important Policy Issue Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

3. African-American, Latino and Native American students are still significantly underrepresented in college in general and in four-year colleges in particular. College Enrollment rates: First-generation students - 59% Students with parent with a 4-year degree - 93%. Rural students, despite better high school graduates rates, enroll in college at rates 6% lower than the national average, and 8% lower than their metropolitan counterparts. Underrepresentation Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

4. 76 percent of high-income high school graduates immediately enroll in a college or trade school. Only 49 percent of low-income graduates enroll immediately. 86 percent of high-income, high achieving secondary school students go on to college, while only 50 percent of low-income, high achievers enroll in postsecondary education. Young people whose family income is under $25,000 have less than a 6 percent chance of earning a four-year college degree. Underrepresentation Minnesota Office of Higher Education

5. Lower financial barriers to college affordability Ensure better academic preparation for college Encourage counselors to advise students for college and focus schools on their college preparatory mission Increase the quality and quantity of college entrance and financial aid information Engage families as college preparation partners Research Evidence On College Access Gap Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

6. Family encouragement stimulates students forming college plans by 8th grade in time to take a college preparatory high school curriculum. Family support and early educational plans predict students 1) developing and maintaining college aspirations, 2) sustaining motivation and academic achievements, and 3) actual college enrollment. Consistent communication among students, parents, and school personnel predicts increased enrollment in college. The major need of parents is to have an accurate understanding of college costs and the financial aid system Families As College Preparation Partners Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

7. Families, Counselors, Communities Together (FCCT) Prepared programs for parents Step-by-Step to College 3 separate curriculums – middle school, early high school, late high school NACAC Resources – Guiding the Way to Higher Education www.nacacnet.org

8. Provide information to parents and guardians that will help them become informed, confident advisors to their children about postsecondary academic options. FCCT Purpose www.nacacnet.org

9. FCCT - Layout • Overview • Using the Guide • Essentials • Objectives, Message, Introductions, Discussion Questions, Activities • Essential Resources • Resource Bibliography ** Workshop Evaluations included** www.nacacnet.org

10. Building a Foundation for Educational Success Importance of families to student success Provide methods of collaboration between families and schools Identify how families become involved in students’ education Explain study skills Essential I www.nacacnet.org

11. Setting the Stage for Dreams to Become Reality Early planning and exploring educational options Research the benefits, and become aware of hard work and necessary planning Encourage students to dream and set goals Early financial planning Essential II www.nacacnet.org

12. Charting a Challenging High School Experience Postsecondary education Educational routes Interest, values and abilities as pertains to decision-making Record of achievement Essential III www.nacacnet.org

13. Follow the Road to College High school to college transition College application process Educational goals Essential IV www.nacacnet.org

14. Paying for College College costs and financial aid Financial planning Essential V www.nacacnet.org

15. 45-60 minute student centered lesson plans with optional parent sessions Sequential program middle school students in grades 7 and 8 early high school students in grades 9, 10, and first semester grade11 late high school students in the second semester of grade 11 and grade 12 Step-by-Step to College

16. Challenge students to see college admissions and attendance as a goal Help students assess their interests, strengths, and academic habits Explain concepts about college options and financial aid Middle School Curriculum

17. Provide a template for building a college preparatory curriculum Encourage students to build a profile and support network to help them reach their college goals Middle School Curriculum

18. Instill the belief that college is accessible and affordable Demonstrate ways for students to build a strong curricular and extracurricular foundation Develop an understanding of and a plan for standardized testing Early High School Curriculum

19. Promote the need for self-motivation and a network of adult mentors Assess career interests and aspirations as a way to research college options Early High School Curriculum

20. Develop a strategic plan for the college search and application process and the transition to college Review standardized test questions and schedule test dates Provide more in-depth analysis of career interests Late High School Curriculum

21. Guide students through the application and essay process Walk students through the financial aid process Late High School Curriculum

22. Activity #1: Peer Connections Handout: Ice Breaker Bingo Activity #2: What Do You Like Handout: My Interests Chart Activity #3: Making a Name for Myself Handout: Career Fact Sheet/Business Card Exercise Middle School Session I:It’s All About Me: My Future Goals

23. NACAC- FCCT and Step-by-Step to College www.nacacnet.org Center for Student Opportunity http://www.csopportunity.org/ College For Every Student www.collegefes.org College: Making It Happen www.certicc.org/collegemakingit.aspx Dream to Reality http://www.collegezone.com/counselorzone/265.htm Early Awareness Resource List

24. ECMC Foundation – The College Place http://www.ecmcfoundation.org/thecollegeplace/ Get Ready for College www.getreadyforcollege.org KnowHow2Go www.knowhow2go.org Pathways to College www.pathwaystocollege.net Early Awareness Resource List