Weiya Liang, GEAR UP Director Alison Eldridge, Communication Specialist 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 1 READY, SET, GRAD

Addressing opportunities lost in the K-20 pipeline 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 2

The Broad Context 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 3 Student Readiness Address pipeline issues. Provide a one-stop-shop information source for college and career training exploration, preparation, and financial aid. Outreach and Support Provide resources for students and families. Develop a “grab and go” toolkit for educators to assist students with college and career planning. Ready, Set, Grad Connect with students through multiple avenues of information delivery to address college and career readiness issues.

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Relevant Background 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 5 Finding information is easy, but finding relevant and trustworthy information is not. Information Needs Web portal should augment, not replace, existing services offered by institutions and agencies. Support Integration Creating, maintaining, and supporting a higher education and career planning web portal will be a significant task and will not be a one-time effort. Commitment

Research-Based Development Market research included interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders. Students Focus Groups Interviews Parents One-on- One Interviews Educators One-on- One Interviews 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 6

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Ready, Set, Grad Website Students, families, and educators planning for the next step after high school. Timeline management tool Updates and deadline reminders Inspirational and instructional videos Student portfolio builder on about.me Counseling and financial literacy curriculum for educators 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 9

Timeline Management Almost in high school Different types of postsecondary institutions Career planning – what are your strengths and skills? Transition to high school Get ready September–August calendar of preparation activities Choosing a college FAFSA4Caster Returning to school Residency & citizenship Workforce Board’s Career Bridge link Career, transfer planning, and military info 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 10

Updates & Reminders Students and families receive updates about events and deadlines. College Bound sign-up College Application Week SAT/ACT dates College admission and financial aid deadlines 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 11

Planning Tools & Resources 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 12

What’s Next? Ability to search all academic programs in Washington— Summer 2013 Academic program database Drop-down menu feature to look up and compare AP scores needed for credit at specific universities—Summer 2013 Dual credit look-up Partnering with WSECU to provide interactive financial literacy curriculum—Fall 2013 The Vault financial literacy curriculum 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 13

Getting the Word Out Direct connection with educators and college access professionals. Targeted Campaign Offer resources and training to schools and community partnerships. Build Awareness Public Service Announcements, marketing materials, partnerships. Publicity 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 14

Public Service Announcements 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 15

Your Feedback is Important! Contact: Alison Eldridge, Communications Specialist 7/3/2015 Washington Student Achievement Council 16