Planning for the Future Resources Alberta Advanced Education and Technology CANNEXUS 2009

Overview 1. Why Post- Secondary? 2. Campus Alberta Awareness - What is it? 3. Disability Products and Resources 4. Learning Clicks Program 5. Mentoring Program and Resources 6. Final Thoughts

Why Post-secondary? Why CAA? Advanced Education & Technology’s Manage and coordinate the entire post-secondary system - includes colleges, universities, and apprenticeship; also includes funding the system and authorizing programs Campus Alberta Awareness (CAA) Ensures students are aware of programming options and financial resources available to access post-secondary education or training

CAA – Campus Alberta Awareness CAA – Campus Alberta Awareness Objectives: Raise awareness about planning for post- secondary studies Increase knowledge of how to access good accurate information on post-secondary studies Increase understanding of how to make a successful transition into post-secondary Increase understanding of the costs associated with and funding resources available for post- secondary education

Outcomes: Alberta has a highly educated society Communities engage in lifelong learning Albertans are participating in a new generation economy

Who are we targeting? 1. Students; Youth and Adults Mentoring Program (grades 3 to 12) Targeted Resources (grades 5 to 12) Other targeted programs (grades 7 to 12) Adults who want to return to learning Customized tools to support under represented groups from grades 3 to adult 2. Parents Resources/programs (children of all ages) 3. Counsellors and Educators Educators and Counsellors (grades 3 to 12) Career and education counsellors in government, K-12, post-secondary institutes and other support agencies

How are we doing this? Programs & Resources 1. Disabilities Products and Services 2. Learning Clicks Program 3. Mentoring Program and Resources

Disabilities Products and Services Addressing the challenges Facing Students with Disabilities “The Future Starts with You” environmental scan states 10% of students in Alberta have mild to moderate special needs With that number growing Albertans expects to see about 24% of our future population being individuals with a disability We want to ensure equal access to higher education and training for all Funding for product develop was provided by Canada Student Loan Program

Access to Post-Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities In 2005, only 36% of students with disabilities pursued post- secondary education versus 51% of the general population One key barrier is the challenge of transitioning from K-12 to higher education To ensure a successful transition, students with disabilities need to begin this process earlier Source: Statistics Canada and Canada Millennium Foundation reports

Disabilities Survey Response Disabilities Survey Response Develop materials and resources for both parents and students: Offer information and step-by-step procedures/guidance for transitioning from high school to post-secondary Look at issues and challenges that all young people and their families face when preparing for this transition Look at issues and challenges unique to students with disabilities Provide access to helpful resources and career planning by creating a step by step transitioning process or model Show parents and students how to advocate for their needs

Disabilities Products and Services 3 resources: Transition Planning Guide for Students with Disabilities and their Families (Grades 9 – 12) with DVD of 9 students high school and post-secondary (Following Dreams) Online PowerPoint Presentation for Students Workshop for Parents

Tool #1: Transition Planning Guide for Students with Disabilities and Their Families Introduces 5 step process for transitioning 1. Get ready 2. Form a planning team 3. Develop & implement plan 4. Monitor & update plan 5. Hold exit meeting (Tab two) Available in English, French & Braille

Tool #1 addition: DVD

Tool #2: Online PowerPoint Presentation for Students 1. What’s my transition plan? 2. Why go on to post-secondary? 3. Where to go? (what kind of schools/programs are out there?) 4. How much will it cost? 5. How will I pay for it? (3 case studies)

Tool #3: Parent Workshop 1. Facilitator Guide: Covers the 5 step transition planning process (model) For parents and caregivers of junior and senior high school students considering post-secondary education 22 pages - provides step-by-step process includes script, examples of how to do transition planning, and other case studies 2. Participant’s Guide: A 16 page optional booklet for parents attending the workshop (transition guide can be used) available for downloading from the ALIS website alis.alberta.ca/disabilities

Train the Trainer for Parent Workshop 1. Organizations needed training to provide parent workshops Identified need for transition process knowledge, information government funding process and institution supports. 2. Secured a contractor to develop, promote and deliver A Train the Trainer workshop was developed for the various government service providers, educators, and agencies. A half day workshop – 7 sessions through out the province Developed e-card with workshop PowerPoint, budgeting sheet, marketing video, and over view of how to obtain funding.

Process: Electronic Marketing e-Card

Project Overview Develop and distribute resources with input and support of various stakeholders Relying on these organizations and other key individuals to apply and use these resources within their communities We are responsible for the promotion and distribution of these products within our province and sharing the template across Canada Download these resources from the Alberta Learning Information Services site alis.alberta.ca/disabilities

Process: Lessons Learned Focus on those with mild to moderate disabilities Our products are cross-disability sensitive Credibility of content Need for parental involvement and team guidance Products and Services fill a need (Kim)

Learning Clicks Program Learning Clicks is a peer-to-peer model; current post- secondary students (Ambassadors) presentations to students in junior and senior high schools throughout the province. Adult ambassadors model; presentations for adult learners and parents Presentations are 30 minutes to 2 hours within the high school setting or various venues for the Adult Ambassadors

What is Learning Clicks? Learning Clicks is designed to motivate and prepare students for education and training beyond high school Process begins with leading students through the basics of the career planning process which includes: self-assessment occupational research and leads into the importance & long term benefits of post-secondary education & training

Learning Clicks Components: Learning Clicks CD-ROM Learning Clicks Website: learningclicks.ca Youth Ambassadors This Is Your Life: A Career and Education Planning Guide Educator’s Companion to “This Is Your Life” Booklet Parent Ambassadors Pouch of Resources: Adult Back to School Workbook, Career Coaching Your Teens, Time to Choose, ACEs brochure (RESPs) etc.

New CD-ROM 1. Dynamic, interactive program (second life concept) 2. Informs on all aspects of planning for post- secondary studies 3. Shows relationship to career planning using K-12 career clusters 4. Profile and back pack 5. Up-to-date information 6. Integrates with ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service)

Result of That’s 16,524 students!

New! This is Your Life Booklets Students Guides 4 Steps of Career Exploration Educator’s Companion 4 modules in lesson plan format

Mentoring Program and Resources Starting Year Four in 2009/10 Partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton/Calgary and satellites Intentionality of target audience is under-represented students Is an in-school mentoring program Aim is to provide mentors and mentees Increase literacy Increase academic preparation High school completion Build capacity of mentee to make decisions and act fun and engaging learning for elementary students Access to good information on post-secondary planning Planning for the future – including careers

Mentoring 5 Key Messages for Mentees 1. The longer YOU stay in school, the more CHOICES you will have in life. 2.Everyone benefits why YOU stay in school and LEARN as much as possible. 3. Ask your teachers, parents or other adults to help YOU get ready for post-secondary school. 4. There are lots of people who want to help YOU go to post-secondary school. 5.EVERYONE can go to post-secondary school and there are many ways to help pay for it.

Mentoring Program key players Advanced Education & Technology Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization Educators – High School Educators – Elementary Teen Mentors Mentees

Mentoring Resources Developed 2 Resources developed 1. Mentoring Handbook Being a mentor Building Mentoring Skills Self-Esteem for Your Mentee Child Safety Program Understanding Learning

Mentoring Resources Developed con’t 2. Mentoring Activity Book Role of a Career Coach Tracking Process Activities 1.Getting to Know Each Other 2.Learning Styles 3.Who am I? 4.What Occupations Are Out There? 5.What is Right for Me? 6.How Do I Get There? Appendix Bin Activities

Final Thoughts & Questions? Disabilities Products and Services Learning Clicks Program Mentoring Program and Resources Visit: alis.alberta.ca

Thank you for participating! Karen Lamothe, Manager Rose Prefontaine, Project Coordinator