Creating Early Awareness Alice L. Robertson, School Counselor Chantilly High School Fairfax County Public Schools
It is difficult to know for certain when young students first begin to make plans to attend college. Research indicates that some students can NEVER recall a time when they did not know they were destined to attend college. (Hossler, Schmit, and Vesper 1999)
Elementary & Middle School The Optimal Time for Maximize the window of opportunity developmentally Fostering a growth mindset Engaging parent trust and buy-in Establishing a team of advocates Invested Adults Connecting career aspirations with school s course work Demonstrating leadership and initiative in extracurricular activities, community service, volunteerism, etc. Creating customized student-specific plan that promotes the optimal postsecondary opportunities
The point of the conversation at this stage is: College is a goal that can be attained, College is possible, There are steps to be taken to get there.
Defining College Four-Year Schools Two-Year Schools Career Education Schools Technical Schools Military Education Apprenticeship Graduate/Professional School
How do Colleges Read Files? Data-Driven Read Whole Read This is a focus on the more quantitative pieces of the application number of Honors/AP Courses, overall GPA, core GPA, SAT/ACT scores. This includes a focus on qualitative pieces of information within the application - recommendations, essays, activities and awards, as well as the numbers.
How do Colleges Read Files?
Creating a College Going Culture
Career Development: It s Personal! Goal Setting Respect for Differences Teamwork Initiative Balance/Life Roles Time Management Persistence Coping Skills Self-Awareness Decision Making Problem Solving
NACAC STEPS Program Step By Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities www.nacacnet.org/steps Free Download updated in 2017 Elementary School (Grades K-5) Middle School (Grades 6-8) Early High School (Grades 9-Semester 1 Grade 11) Late High School (Grades 11-12) Financial Aid Resources
NACAC STEPS Curriculum
ALL Students College-Going Culture: The GOAL Are prepared for a full range of post-secondary options through structural, motivational, and experiential college preparatory opportunities.
It s a team effort: Counselors, teachers, and parents are partners in preparing students for college.
Creating a College-Going Culture Research tells us that having college plans by tenth grade increases the likelihood of attending by 21% Academic preparation for college is more important than socioeconomic status in college enrollment.
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture 1. College Talk 2. Clear Expectations 3. Information and Resources 4. Comprehensive Counseling Model 5. Faculty Involvement 6. College Partnerships 7. Family Involvement Source: Patricia McDonough, UCLA
Critical Principles for a College-Going College Talk Culture Clear, ongoing communication among students, teachers, administrators, and families about what it takes to get to college
Critical Principles for a College-Going College Talk Indicators Culture Newsletter, newspapers, posters College Day Pyramid Wide College Club for small learning groups 1st Generation, CPP Personal writing contest prep for essay writing
College Day Pyramid Wide College Day Administrative Support Every Teacher Participates College Flyers Targeted Lesson 10-15 Q & A High School Students visit their former schools Share their journey Encourage students to take school seriously Discuss extracurricular involvement
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Information & Resources: Comprehensive, up-to-date college information and resources, easily accessible by all students, families, and school personnel
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Information & Resources Indicators: College-related periodicals PSAT/SAT/ACT materials Financial aid materials College choice guides Internet access College & Career Planning Computer/web-based programs Test prep materials
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Comprehensive Counseling Model: View of counseling that makes all student interactions with counseling staff an opportunity for college counseling
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Comprehensive Counseling Model Indicators: MS Counselors know and understand the HS Curriculum Counselors engage in professional development Counselors at all grade levels participate in ongoing collaboration Counselors distribute college/career information to all students, faculty, and staff
K-16 Four Year Academic Plan Backward Design Take English, Math Science, Social Studies, and World Language EVERY YEAR IN HS Middle School Math? Middle School World Language?
College Vocabulary Liberal Arts College Universities Technical Institutes & Professional Schools Hispanic-serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Women s Colleges Community or Junior Colleges Early Action Early Decision Rolling Admission FAFSA Grants Loans Work Study Private versus Public Schools
Getting Involved: What looks better? Sports: Individual, Team, Private Coaches Fine Arts: Graphics, Painting, Drawing, Ceramics, Photo Performing Arts: Band, Orchestra, Choir, Dance, Theatre Scouts: Gold Awards, Eagle Scout Religious Groups:Youth Group, Mission Trips & Work Camps Writing: Newspaper, Yearbook, Literary Arts Magazine Volunteering: Canned versus Creative Other:?????? Answer: Spend time doing what you enjoy!
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Faculty Involvement: Informed, active participation from school faculty in the creation and maintenance of a college-going culture
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Faculty Involvement Indicators: Classrooms feature information on the teacher s alma mater Teachers initiate College Talk during class time and the importance of completing various levels of school Classrooms adopt a college and decorate the classroom door Teachers foster a growth mindset and consistently praise effort Classroom wall of fame photos of alums & where they attended school
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Family Involvement: Meaningful engagement on the part of family members in the process of building a collegegoing culture
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Family Involvement Indicators: College fairs for students and parents Evening Programs - Let s Talk College, College Admissions 101, Curriculum Night Developing a 4 Year Plan Support for parents belief that their children are college material
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture College Partnerships: Active links in a variety of forms between the school and local colleges and universities
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture College Partnerships Indicators: Visits to local colleges for students at all grade levels College representatives visit your school Panel of alumni speaking about college life Presentations by professors from local colleges
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Articulation: Ongoing coordination between counselors and teachers among feeder schools Student Learning Plans through Family Connection College Talk in feeder schools
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture Articulation Indicators: Students hear a consistent message at all grade levels Elementary and middle schools engaging in college talk Students see themselves as college material as early as kindergarten
Resources NACAC - http://www.nacacnet.org ASCA- www.schoolcounselor.org NOSCA- http://advocacy.collegeboard.org/collegepreparation-access/national-office-schoolcounselor-advocacy-nosca The Fiske Guide to Colleges Ruggs Recommendations on the Colleges The Best 371 Colleges Princeton Review Naviance/Counselor s Office (Internet-based program) www.collegenavigator.gov www.collegeresults.org