Go On: Improving Postsecondary Access for Idaho Students Dana Kelly Student Affairs Program Manager Carina Davio GEAR UP Regional Coordinator Amy Kernin-Laye GEAR UP Regional Coordinator

Welcome Introductions Session Expectations College Access Challenge Grant

What is College? Any accredited educational institution beyond the high school level, including: –Apprenticeship –Certificate –Associates and/or bachelors degree programs

What is College Access? Providing assistance to encourage and help individuals successfully complete education beyond high school

Why College Access? A college education is extremely helpful in achieving professional and personal success Financial Implications Civic Benefits Community and State Benefits Why Not?

Poverty

Financial

Health Perception

Civic Benefit

VOTING RATES for Citizens in the 2008 Presidential Election by Educational Attainment

Spending CONSUMER by Educational Attainment 2005 Less Than High School High School Graduate Some College, No Degree Associate Degree Bachelor’s Degree Advanced Degree

Ownership Home by Educational Attainment of Householder

Other Benefits The higher the education level, the more likely citizens are to… –Vote –Donate Blood –Volunteer –Exercise –Save for retirement –Educate their children –Have health insurance The higher the education level, the less likely citizens are to… –Smoke –Accept financial or public assistance (Medicaid, food stamps)

Why in Idaho? Idaho’s high school graduation rate is high College going rate is low The college participation percentage was only 20% for Idaho’s Pell grant eligible low-income students Idaho postsecondary retention rates are second to last in the nation at 65.9% Source: National Center for Educational Statistics, National Center for Education Management Systems

Why in Idaho? Continued Idaho students who do go on to postsecondary education may not be prepared. In 2009, only 24% of Idaho’s seniors who took the ACT met all four college readiness benchmarks A significantly lower percentage of Idaho’s minority students met college readiness benchmarks

Idaho 8th and 10th Graders on Track to Meet College Readiness Benchmarks, 2009 Only 11% of 8th and 10th grade students who took EXPLORE and PLAN are on track to meet all four college readiness benchmarks in 2009

Enrollment of 2008 ACT-Tested ID Students Avg. ACT Score: 20.0 Avg. ACT Score: 23.9 Avg. ACT Score: 21.6 N = 10,081

Fall to Fall Retention of 2008 ACT- Tested ID Students Avg. ACT Score: 20.0 Avg. ACT Score: 23.9 Avg. ACT Score: N = 10,081

So… What do we need to do to affect change in college access? How do we get there?

Building Aspirations Students and families must understand the relevance of their education both through high school graduation and going on to postsecondary education. Students and parents must have an understanding of the benefits of postsecondary education.

Academic Challenge and Rigor Students must be encouraged to take the most challenging courses available so they have every opportunity when choosing courses of study in the future. It is important to provide academic support such as tutoring and test preparation to boost academic achievement levels. If they are ready, students should be encouraged to enroll in dual credit and AP courses to get a head start on postsecondary credits.

Strategies Academic Support (tutoring, mentoring) Implementation of Rigorous Coursework (IDLA, Dual Credit, AP) Family Education and Support Consistent Messaging Financial Aid Education College and Career Exploration K-16 Alignment Partnerships Evaluation and Assessment

How do we accomplish this? Culture (Power of many) Be open to change, collaboration and new ideas Don’t reinvent the wheel, use available resources Prepare all, for all Provide opportunities Start early Work strategies in to what you already do, MORE is not always necessary Tailor ideas to the needs of your district

Resources There are many resources available in college access initiatives, we are not the first, and we can learn from many. –Web Resources –Curriculum –Grants and Programs

Successful Solutions: College Access Programs GEAR UP - Grant program is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. GEAR UP serves an entire cohort of students beginning no later than the seventh grade and follow the cohort through high school. TRIO - The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

TRIO Pre-College Programs TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low- income individuals, first- generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs. TRIO Programs Educational Opportunity Centers Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate AchievementRonald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Student Support Services Talent Search Training Program for Federal TRIO Programs StaffTraining Program for Federal TRIO Programs Staff Upward Bound Upward Bound Math-Science Veterans Upward Bound Other Programs Child Care Access Means Parents in SchoolChild Care Access Means Parents in School Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity ProgramThurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program

GEAR UP Idaho Program (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Statewide Program: 20 Districts Award Period: July 2006-July 2012 Total Award: $17.7 Million Cohort Student Model

GEAR UP Idaho Goals Improve academic performance and preparation for post- secondary education within the GEAR UP cohort classes Increase rate of high school graduation and post- secondary preparation Increase educational expectations of participants. Increase student and family knowledge of post-secondary options, preparation and financing

Services Provided by GEAR UP (schools design their own program) Tutoring/Mentoring Dependable Strengths EXPLORE/PLAN/ACT College Visits Service Learning Financial Aid Education College/Career Exploration Dual Credit/IDLA eCIS Family Education and Events Job Shadowing GEAR UP is a highly adaptable and transferrable model

GEAR UP Success Increased grades (Emmett and American Falls) Teacher participation (Clark Fork) Increased parent participation and communication Use of data for class placement (Priest River) Increased attendance and retention (Plummer-Worley) AYP Success Increased exposure Many individual successes

College Access Challenge Grant Foster partnerships Increase college-going rate Focus on low-income students

Increase awareness Conduct outreach activities FAFSA completion Provide need-based aid Professional development CACG-Approved Activities

Idaho’s CACG Activities Provide need-based grant aid Increase student access Foster statewide educational collaboration

Dual Credit Scholarships Find Your Path Website Foster Statewide educational collaboration And FAFSA Help

Find Your Path, Live Your Dreams

Statewide Educational Collaboration

College Access Summit Goals –To increase the lines of communication between college access practitioners, educators and policy makers in Idaho. –Provide a venue to come together for professional development, networking, sharing best practices. –Fulfill the increasing need for collaboration among organizations and agencies to come together to address issues to affect change in the world of college access.

Other College Access Initiatives J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation –Go On Campaign and Challenge –KnowHow2GoIdaho IdahoGOES Find Your Path – College Access Challenge Grant College Alliance America

National Resources KnowHow2Go National College Access Network ACT College Board Pathways to College Network –College Readiness Toolbox

Local Resources Idaho Education Network Postsecondary Institutions –Transition Programs –Dual Credit Idaho Career Information System (eCIS) –College and Career Exploration Tools –Self assessments and awareness activities –Personalized portfolio J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation –Go On Campaign and Challenge –KnowHow2GoIdaho Business Community

Find Your Path ( J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation ( Idaho Career Information System (idcis.intocareers.org) National College Access Network ( Know How to Go ( Web Resources

Contact Us Carina Davio GEAR UP Regional Coordinator Division of School Support Services Idaho State Department of Education Amy Kernin-Laye GEAR UP Regional Coordinator Division of School Support Services Idaho State Department of Education Dana Kelly Student Affairs Program Manager Office of the Idaho State Board of Education