SEE Forums:

1. Pathways to College: Improving Students’ Access to and Readiness for College—————————September 29, 2009Charles Sumner SchoolWashington, DC

2. SEE Forums: • Becki Herman, SEE Forums Director, Managing Research Scientist, American Institutes for Research (www.air.org) • Supported through a grant from the Institute of Education Sciences (ies.ed.gov) of the U.S. Department of Education

3. Panelists: • Tom Bailey, Director, National Center for Postsecondary Research, Columbia University • Cecilia Rouse, Member of the White House Council of Economic Advisers • Mel Riddile, Associate Director for High School Services, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

4. Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do Thomas Bailey, Director Community College Research Center National Center for Postsecondary Research Presented at Scientific Evidence in Education Forum Washington, DC September 29, 2009

5. Background • Gains in access over the last 30 years • Low income and minority students are still much less likely to enroll in college • To achieve the currently accepted goals of significant increase in college graduation, access and preparation must be strengthened • Success in college is also built on solid preparation for the academic, social, and cultural college environment

6. High School Completion and Initial Postsecondary Enrollment by SES Quartile Eighth Graders in 1988

7. Sequence of Preparation • Do they have access to a program that prepares them for college? • Do they know what they need to do and where they stand? • Are they prepared for the academic demands of colleges and the college culture and norms? • Do they take the concrete steps needed to gain access to college and secure funding?

8. Recommendation 1 • Offer courses that prepare students for college-level work. • Implement a curriculum that prepares all students for college. • Include opportunities for college-level work for advanced students. • Ensure that students understand a college-ready curriculum by 9th grade. • Develop a four-year course trajectory with each 9th grader.

9. Recommendation 2 • Utilize assessment measures throughout high school. • Utilize performance data to inform students about their proficiency. • Create an individualized plan for students. • Offer courses and curricula that prepare students for college-level work. • Assist students in overcoming deficiencies as they are identified.

10. Recommendation 3 • Surround students with adults and peers who support college-going aspirations. • Provide mentoring for students. • Facilitate student relationships with peers who plan to attend college. • Provide hands-on opportunities for students to explore different careers.

11. Recommendation 4 • Assist students in completing critical steps for college entry. • Ensure students prepare for, and take, the appropriate college entrance exam. • Assist students in their college search. • Assist students in completing applications and other critical steps for college entry.

12. Recommendation 5 • Increase financial awareness. • Increase families’ financial awareness. • Organize workshops about college affordability, scholarship, and financial aid. • Help students apply for aid. • Help students and parents complete financial aid forms.

13. Contact Information Thomas Bailey: Tbailey@tc.edu URL for the Practice Guide: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/ NCPR website: http://www.postsecondaryresearch.org CCRC website: http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu

14. The Obama Administration and Reforming High School Education Cecilia Rouse Member, Council of Economic Advisers September 29, 2009

15. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act • Expands Pell Grants: • Adds $15.8 million in Federal Pell Grants through FY 2011, with a maximum grant of $4,860 for a student in 2009-2010. • Adds $200 million in Federal Work-Study program funding through FY 2011. • The American Opportunity Credit • Expands the Hope Credit to up to $2,500 per student per year. • Expands eligibility to individuals making up to $80,000 AGI ($160,000 for married couples).

16. “I'll simplify the financial aid application process so that we don't have a million students who aren't applying for aid because it's too difficult.” – President Barack Obama

17. “You basically have to have a Ph.D. to figure that thing out.”– U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan • 16 million students apply for financial aid per year; • The form is six pages with 153 questions; more complicated than most tax forms. • Research suggests students are hindered by the application process.

18. The Administration’s three-part plan for simplification • Streamline the current online FAFSA. • Allow applicants to access data they have provided to the IRS to complete the FAFSA. • Eliminate the most difficult questions from the FAFSA.

21. Reporting of Non-IRS Subtractions from and Additions to Income by 2009-10 Applicants

22. Correlation of Pell Grant Awards between the Current Formula and Proposed Formula

23. Change in Pell Awards by Dependency Status, Dropping All Non-IRS Financial Questions Note: Sample consists of students who are eligible for a Pell grant under the current formula or the revised formula. The figures do not include changes to aid awards based upon information that is reported incorrectly.

24. The High School Graduation Initiative • The President’s FY 2010 budget proposal included $50 million for the High School Graduation Initiative. • It would support grants to local educational agencies to implement proven strategies for reducing the number of students who drop out before completing secondary school and for assisting youth to reenter school after they have dropped out.

25. The House Recently Passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 • Starting in 2011, increases the maximum Pell Grant amount by CPI plus 1%, raising the maximum grant to $5,550 in 2010 and $6,900 in 2019. • Lowers interest rates on need-based loans; expands access to Perkins loans. • Simplifies FAFSA forms. • Creates a new Community College Challenge Grant program and the American Graduation Initiative both aimed at increasing completion by (e.g.,) improving transfer rates, industry partnerships, enhancing support services, building links with high schools.

26. SEE Forum“Pathways to College” Mel Riddile, Ed.D Associate Director, NASSP 2006 National High School Principal of the Year riddilem@principals.org

27. 1. College-level Curriculum • “ACT: Forgotten Middle” • “On the Front Lines of Schools” • “Time To Act” • Learner Readiness • Skills • Literacy • Algebra • 6-year plan • By 7th Grade • Externally Moderated Courses • AP • IB • Dual Enrollment

28. 2. On-Target Diagnostic Assessments • Reading • Lexiles • Reader > Text > Occupation • Writing • Community College Placement Exams • College Placement Exams

29. 2. On-Target • Course content to standards • Customization • ILP

30. 3. Support System • AVID • College Partnership • College visits • School to college agreements

31. 4. Critical Steps • Systemic Awareness • Plan • “Invite don't announce!” • Hands-on • PSAT • SAT Prep • SAT • SAT "brush-up" • Application • Career Centers

32. 5. Financial Awareness • Systemic Awareness • Workshops • Online resources • Scholarship Fund

33. Contact Us: SEE FORUMSAmerican Institutes for Research 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street, NWWashington, DC Attn: Becki Hermanrherman@air.org Email: info@seeforums.org Website: www.seeforums.org