Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities

An Important Policy Issue Six out of every ten jobs in our economy depend on workers with at least a two-year college degree. A shortage of 14 million college-educated workers is predicted by Despite extensive financial aid expenditures, the gap between low- income and high-income students attending college today is roughly the same as that participation gap in the 1960s. Improving academic preparation for college and ensuring affordability, especially for low-income students and students of color, has widespread support from researchers, policymakers, and advocates. Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

Underrepresentation African-American, Latino and Native American students are still significantly underrepresented in college in general and in four-year colleges in particular. College Enrollment rates: First-generation students – 59 percent Students with parent with a 4-year degree – 93 percent Rural students, despite better high school graduates rates, enroll in college at rates 6 percent lower than the national average, and 8 percent lower than their metropolitan counterparts. Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

Underrepresentation 81 percent of high-income high school graduates immediately enroll in a college or trade school. Only 52 percent of low-income graduates enroll immediately. More than 1 in 5 high achievers from disadvantaged families don’t go to college at all, compared with fewer than 1 in 20 high achievers from advantaged families. Young people whose family income is under $25,000 have less than a 6 percent chance of earning a four-year college degree. Minnesota Office of Higher Education

Research Evidence On College Access Gap Lower financial barriers to college affordability Ensure better academic preparation for college Encourage counselors to advise students for college and focus schools on their college preparatory mission Increase the quality and quantity of college entrance and financial aid information Engage families as college preparation partners Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

Families As College Preparation Partners Family encouragement stimulates students forming college plans by 8th grade in time to take a college preparatory high school curriculum. Family support and early educational plans predict students 1) developing and maintaining college aspirations, 2) sustaining motivation and academic achievements, and 3) actual college enrollment. Consistent communication among students, parents, and school personnel predicts increased enrollment in college. The major need of parents is to have an accurate understanding of college costs and the financial aid system Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

NACAC Resources – Guiding the Way to Higher Education Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities – 3 separate curriculums – middle school, early high school, late high school – Prepared programs for parents

Steps Purpose Provide information to parents and guardians that will help them become informed, confident advisors to their children about postsecondary academic options.

Step by Step minute student centered lesson plans with optional parent sessions Sequential program Middle school students in grades 7 and 8 Early high school students in grades 9, 10, and first semester grade11 Late high school students in the second semester of grade 11 and grade 12

Middle School Curriculum Challenge students to see college admission and attendance as a goal Help students assess their interests, strengths and academic habits Explain concepts about college options and financial aid

Middle School Curriculum Provide a template for building a college preparatory curriculum Encourage students to build a profile and support network to help them reach their college goals

Middle School Session I: It’s All About Me: My Future Goals Activity #1: Peer Connections Handout: Ice Breaker Bingo Activity #2: What Do You Like Handout: My Interests Chart Activity #3: Making a Name for Myself Handout: Career Fact Sheet/Business Card Exercise

Early High School Curriculum Instill the belief that college is accessible and affordable Demonstrate ways for students to build a strong curricular and extracurricular foundation Develop an understanding of and a plan for standardized testing

Early High School Curriculum Promote the need for self-motivation and a network of adult mentors Assess career interests and aspirations as a way to research college options

Late High School Curriculum Develop a strategic plan for the college search and application process and the transition to college Review standardized test questions and schedule test dates Provide more in-depth analysis of career interests

Late High School Curriculum Guide students through the application and essay process Walk students through the financial aid process

Early Awareness Resource List NACAC- Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities Center for Student Opportunity College For Every Student College: Making It Happen Dream to Reality

Early Awareness Resource List College Navigator Get Ready for College KnowHow2Go Pathways to College