Effective Career and College Readiness Programs

1. Effective Career and College Readiness Programs Bob Bardwell, Monson High School, MA Diane Campbell, Liberty Common High School, CO Kat Pastor, Flagstaff High School, AZ Kristen Sorel, Monson High School, MA

2. Goals of the Session • Learn how to advantage and give opportunity to your students • Understand the national data around the need for more K-8 career and college readiness • Learn about implementation of exciting CCR activities • Be an active participant • Share your ideas and successes from others

3. Who is here? • Elementary/Middle/Jr. High Counselors • Secondary School Counselors • Directors/Administrators • Admission counseling staff • CBO/Non-profit counselors • Graduate Students • Other

4. Why we are here • Advantage • Opportunity • Our students need us • We are doing good but can be doing better • It’s what is right – our moral obligation

5. What is Career & College Readiness • Being college and career ready means that an individual has the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary for success in postsecondary education and economically viable career pathways in a 21st century economy. (MA DESE) • Combination of core academic knowledge, skills and habits that youth need to be successful in a post-secondary setting without remedial coursework or training. (CLASP) • Be prepared to succeed in credit-bearing post-secondary introductory general education courses or in industry certification programs without remediation. (MD DOE)

6. What does the research say? • 59% of students who start at a 4-year college do not graduate after 6 years; 31% do not earn an associate degree or certificate in 3 years. • 39% of black and 46% of Hispanic students graduate within 6 years • Only 25% of low income students will graduate from college in 6 years vs. 90% of top quartile income freshmen finish their degree • 39% of first generation students graduate in four years vs. 60% whose parents went to college graduate in four years

7. What does the research say?(continued) • 61% of students with special needs graduate from college • 9% of first generation students met all 4 ACT college benchmarks compared 26% of all students • Only 68% of students statewide complete MassCore • 36% of Massachusetts public school graduates at state colleges/universities place in remedial coursework • By 2020 nearly 2/3 of the jobs will require post-secondary education or training

8. What does the research say?(continued) • 51% of MA adults have a college degree (2 or 4 year) but nearly 70% will require higher education by 2018 • 5.9% of Americans are unemployed; 14.3% are youth ages 16-24 yet 4.8 million job openings • Overwhelming evidence that students need teachers who foster positive relationships, provide high-level instruction in challenging courses and have high expectations for student achievement.

9. Let’s get started….. Ready-to-implement Career & College Awareness activities for your schools & districts

10. Self Reflection

11. Time to Chat •2 minute chat with the person sitting next to you •I believe our school/institution can be more college and career focused: –Totally –Not so much –We are right where we should be

12. Flagstaff High School • Flagstaff, AZ 68,000 pop. • Public High School of 1600 students • 4 full time school counselors 1 Native American Advisor 1 CAVIAT/CTE Counselor • 50% minority, 22% FRL 150 students living in a residential BIA dorm • PBIS, Link Crew, Weekly Advisory • Naviance • ACT State Choice Testing Site • Offered to all juniors

13. Post-Secondary Culture Post-Secondary Evening Event’s Reach Higher Wednesday’s College and FAFSA Completion Days

15. FHS Post-Secondary and Career Program Ideas • Recent Graduate Panel • Partnership with College Access Professionals • Chamber of Commerce • Career & Technical Education • Partner with other high schools

18. Liberty Common High School Fort Collins, CO • 400 students • 8-10 National Merit semi-finalists in class of 80 Seniors • 98% college going, 15% free/reduced • College prep classical liberal-arts curriculum with a STEM focus Counseling Department • 1 Academic Dean, 1 College Counselor both with school counseling degrees • 1 Administrative support staff

19. http://www.cde.state.co.us/postsecondary/scc_resources/ The Colorado Department of Education collaborated with ASCA to provide resources for school counselors for meaningful conversations about career choice and readiness.

20. Career Exploration Night District event for parents and students 8th - 12th grade • Explore career options and understand how they align with potential college majors and majors/professional preparation • Keynote speaker - Rich Feller, YouScience 25 breakout sessions- Students chose 3 sessions/30 minutes long Surgeon, nurse, phlebotomist, video game developer, tattoo artist, architect, FBI agent, professional athlete, teacher, physical therapist, plumber, autotech, law enforcement,engineers, business owners, machinist, robotics, pilot, financial planner Career Fair at the end of sessions

21. You Science

22. Games Make the college/career search engaging! • GPA game • College Trivia • Career Interest Game • Scholarships- First Gen • Beach Ball Essay Game • Career Exploration game • Beach Ball • Smartphone scavenger hunt • College gifts for prizes • NACAC Step by Step Lessons Have fun with students! Takes the stress out of the college search and creates student connections.

23. Lunch and Learns • Architect • Musician • Bank • UCAS application and study abroad • Senior Panel • Colorado State University Honors program • CSU Biochemistry and Molecular Biology professor • CU Boulder -How to get involved and what programs are offered on a college campus Rotate sessions and invite students/parents to attend. Post events in classrooms, invite teachers to attend.

24. College and Career Programs • Colorado Film School • Screenwriter, Actor, Film/Television industries • Local Hospital • panel of all career levels • College Campus Learning Support Program Visit • Students learn how the campus can continue to support learning needs • Career Cabs- Poudre High School, Cas Poncelow • Fire Station, Walmart distribution, Engineering, Cosmetology • Career Expo on state SAT day • National Hispanic College Fair

25. Monson High School • Located 90 miles west of Boston – suburb of Springfield • 269 Students – grades 9-12 • 1.5 school counselors • 80 – 90% college going rate • ͌ 50% - 4 year • ͌ 35% - 2 year

26. Senior Signing Day • We recognize all seniors – college, military & workforce • Grades 8-11 watch • Parents/families & community invited to breakfast for guests sponsored by the PTSA

27. Senior Signing Day continued • PPT slide for each student with picture • Internal (staff get to choose) and external sponsors (college admission rep, recruiter or workforce rep) who participate • Invite special guests (local & state elected officials) • Certificates • T-shirts (donated) • Sign banner which then hangs in the foyer

28. Seniors on Parade • Seniors parade through elementary and/or middle schools with their caps & gowns just prior to graduation • Provides inspiration • Creates excitement • Engages the community • Immediately after last graduation rehearsal • Buses were used to transport

29. College Celebration Application Week • Modeled after the American Council on Education’s program • Coordinated in MA by Gear Up/DHE

30. Monson’s Version • Monday & Tuesday – College application workshops in computer lab • Monday – Thursday – On the spot admission decisions • Western New England • American International College • Holyoke Community College • Springfield Technical CC • Bay Path University

31. Monson’s Version (continued) • Friday – All school assembly • Name read, along with schools applied to and decision/scholarship info if applicable • T-shirt for each participant • Mascot Madness

32. Create formal K-8 College Partnerships • Work with local colleges and to create a formal partnership with a specific grade; similar to a business partnership • Can be small but something that is solid and involves both K-8 & higher education • Utilize district colleagues if you don’t know college personnel

33. District Career & College Awareness Week/Month Activities • Creates the expectation that all schools will participate • Creates focus and spotlight; otherwise these activities often are forgotten • Impacts all students • Provides great public relations

35. Graduation/Step Up Day Ceremony • Integrate Career/College Readiness activities into elementary or middle school graduation or step up day activities • Career posters • Art projects • Signs • Speeches

37. Discussion & Q & A • What is not clear? • What more do you need? • Who wants to share a success regarding early career and college awareness? • How can we help each other? • Other questions?

38. For More Information…. Bob Bardwell Monson High School bardwellr@monsonschools.com bardwellr Kristen Sorel Monson High School sorelk@monsonschools.com MrsSorelMHS Diane Campbell Liberty Common High School dcampbell@libertycommon.org dianecamp6 Kat Pastor Flagstaff High School katherinepastor@gmail.com Katpastor1