Working Systemwide to Raise

Students’ College AspirationsDr. Carolyn Berger & Dr. Eric Thompson

Nova Southeastern University

Overview• Creating a College-Going Culture: • What is a “College-Going Culture” and why is it important?

• Assess Your School’s CGC• Review of Ecological Systems Theory• Systems to Consider when Developing Interventions• Interventions for Raising College Aspirations & Tips for

Implementation• Discussion & Questions

College Aspirations & Creating a College-Going Culture• College and career aspirations are both valid and important• This presentation focuses on college aspirations; including post

secondary vocational programs, community colleges, and traditional four year programs• College-going culture “refers to the environment, attitudes, and

practices in schools and communities that encourage students and their families to obtain the information, tools, and perspective to enhance access to and success in post-secondary education.”

Advancing college going culture

• Exploration of future options after high school begin as early as elementary school• Diversity-schools convey expectations that all students can prepare

for success in post-secondary education

What is a college going culture?

College going cultures are likely to exist in schools where: • Students are expected to achieve high academic standards in a college preparatory

curriculum • The school staff is collectively committed to students’ college goals • College is a visual reality • Informal and formal communication networks promote and support college expectations• Commitment from school administration and leadership• All stakeholders have a significant role in promoting post secondary expectations in

students• A dedication to partnering with internal (administration, teachers, etc) and external

stakeholders (families, community members ,etc)(http://inpathways.net/BEST-CreateCollegeCultResourceGuide.pdf)

Why have a college going culture?

• Builds expectation of postsecondary education for all students, regardless of background• A person with a high school diploma earns on average $507 per week• A person with a bachelor’s degree earns $983 on average• A person with a master’s and Ph.D. earn $1,174 and $1,214 per week

respectively. • College education reduces likelihood of unemployment• Community colleges are generally affordable and do not require an

extensive application process.

Why have college-going culture?

• Simply graduating high school is a challenge for a majority of students let alone going to college• 18% of students who graduate from high school go on to earn an

associates degree• Students at risk for not attending post secondary schooling include• Low achievers• Mid-low income individuals• Underrepresented minorities• Disabled youth• First generation college students

http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/jan13/vol55/num01/Ready-Set%E2%80%94Not-So-Fast!.aspx

At risk students

• More likely to face obstacles to college planning• Have less access to information and guidance• Have lowered expectations from mentors and hence lower

college/career exploration• Less internet access• Lack of financial resources to attend college

• How do we make our school and community one where all students are expected to attend college?

College focused schools

• Expect that all underserved students are capable of being prepared to enroll and succeed in college • Provide a range of high-quality, college-preparatory tools for students and

families • Embrace social, cultural, and varied learning styles when developing the

environment and activities at the school • Involve leaders at all levels in establishing policies, programs, and

practices • Maintain sufficient financial and human resources for this mission Assess

policy, programs, and practices regularly to determine effectiveness

Assessing a school’s college going culture1. Each student who attends this school are expected to_____2. All counselors who work at this school are expected to_____3. A person cannot walk down the hallways of this school without

seeing_____

Assess Your School’s College-Going CultureHelpful Guide from College Board: http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/collegeed/collegeEd-create-college-going-culture.pdf

19 Questions to Assess CGC- EXAMPLES:

10. What is our faculty’s attitude toward the notion that every student at our school can succeed in college?11. Do we emphasize college advocacy during our hiring and evaluation practices?12. Does our school provide leadership opportunities?13. Is academic rigor encouraged for all students?14. Are students often assigned to classes based on factors other than their potential?15. Are we reaching parents with information about college culture?

16. Is our school more focused on getting students to graduate high school or getting students to attend college?17. Is one of our school improvement goals related to the issue of college?18. How often do our administrators, counselors, and teachersconsult college professors and administration about curricular decisions regarding student preparation or ask for data on the performance of graduates?19. What do we do to promote college information sessions?

Assess school’s current culture

• Culture shift takes between 3-5 years-be patient

Months 1-3

• Gather data on school culture• Use needs assessments• Form committee of diverse members• Compile survey data• Get administrator “buy in” by discussing data and need; discuss plans

with them • Introduce goals to staff• Hold parent/family discussion groups for ideas and input

Months 4-6

• Research best practices of college going schools• Research other programs and resources• Finalize the decision and get appropriate school board/

administrative approval• Create a document or brochure for staff and families that provide

information about goals and activities of the committee• Continue professional development with staff• Inform parents/families of changes through a “college culture”

event/family night

Months 7-10

• Continue with professional development• Seek support and provide information to parents• Prepare resources for large scale programs• Maintain committee and community/staff forum. Continue evaluation

and reassessment of program goals and implementation ideas.

Ecological Systems Theory

If the children and youth of a nation are afforded opportunity to develop their capacities to the fullest, if they are given the knowledge to understand the world and the wisdom to change it, then the prospects for the future are bright. In contrast, a society which neglects its children, however well it may function in other respects, risks eventual disorganization and demise. – Urie Bronfenbrenner

Share with a Partner

• Thinking about Bronfenbrenner’s model, how did systems in your life play a role in your decision to go to college?• Personal messages/drives?• Messages from family?• Messages from teachers?• Sociocultural messages and expectations?

Systems to Consider when Developing Interventions• Who are the different systems and people school counselors should

include when developing interventions?

Interventions for Raising College Aspirations &

Tips for Implementation

Set up the Physical Environment for College-Going CultureWho? • College admissions offices, parents/families, teachersWhat?• Collect college materials: posters, pennants, t-shirts, pens, etc. How?• Enlist volunteers to help you call/email admissions offices of colleges,

tech schools, and universities all over the country• Work with fellow counselors to compile a list of emails for admissions

offices• Ask them if they would donate the above items to the school

College Day: Wear your College Gear! (and learn about schools too!)Who? • Everyone at the schoolWhat?• Wear t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats that represent colleges, universities, and tech

schools How?• Advertise to students (no uniform day if they wear college gear)• Make mandatory for teachers and staff (offer to supply free t-shirts donated

by universities)• Make it a learning opportunity! Have a “scavenger hunt” where students find

students wearing college gear that meets certain criteria• Ask community businesses to donate prizes

Sample Scavenger Hunt:Find someone wearing college/university gear for a school that meets each of the following descriptions. Have the person sign your sheet and write the school’s name. You can only use each person once and each college/university once. Complete the sheet and turn it in to Principal Smith’s office to be entered in a prize drawing!

This college or university…. Person’s name & signature College/university name

Has a mascot that is a person of some sort

e.g., University of TN, Purdue, FSU, Rutgers, etc.

Is in Florida AND has a program in aerospace engineering

e.g., UCF, UF, FIT, UM, Embry Riddle, FIU

Has a mascot that is neither a person nor an animal

e.g., Ohio State, University of Miami

Is located in Tallahassee e.g., FAMU, FSU, Keiser University, TCC

Is considered to be in the “Ivy League”

e.g., Harvard, UPenn, Brown, etc.

Has a women’s lacrosse team e.g., Eckerd, FAU, FIU, FSU, UCF, UF, USF

Develop a College Club at Your SchoolWho? • Counselors, teachers, administrators, parents, students, community

members (grades 5+)What?• Bi-weekly or monthly meetings (perhaps during lunch) for students to discuss

questions/concerns about colleges, host guest speakers, etc.• Meeting times, members involved, equal representationHow?• Invite parents, teachers, community members to speak at the club meetings

on their college experience or a particular topic• Give time for discussion and questions so students can gain from the

experience

Create a College & Careers Center in Your School

Who? • Connect with district resources (e.g., CTE specialists)• Parents, students, teachers, media specialists, community membersWhat?• Create an area in your school where students know to go to find information about

careers and colleges• Make this area warm & inviting with motivational materials• Have a computer with important links bookmarked and readily availableHow?• Work with media specialist & CTE contact to find materials• Enlist parents to help set up the area• Ask PTA for monetary support

Regular Communications Include CCR: Newsletters, Announcements, Website, Etc.

Who? • All school faculty/staff, administration, parents, studentsWhat?• In all communications, include a college/career section, article, or

announcementHow?• Examples:

• Periodically have teachers showcase something exciting about their college in the morning announcements/newscast.

• Have a College & Careers section in the newsletter that shares what’s been happening at school in relation to CCR and share important info for parents and students (e.g., college/scholarship/FAFSA deadlines, etc.)

• In student newspaper, have a regular article a student writes where they share about a college or career-related experience (e.g., college tour, job shadowing, etc.)

Regular Communications by Grade Level:Newsletter Article Ideas

• Elementary (parent newsletter): • Share mission and vision of school with parents that has a college-centered message (example:

https://www.bsd405.org/bennett/2015/10/school-newsletter-october-2015/)• Link character ed traits to success in careers/college• Share about elementary events that link to careers/college (http://

patch.com/maryland/essex/career-day-at-middleborough-elementary-school)

• Middle:• Highlight one local college each month and give interesting facts about the school• Highlight careers- education/skills required, salaries, outlook, etc.

• High:• Application deadlines, financial aid info, scholarship info, testing (ACT/SAT) info• Showcase careers they may have never heard of• Have alumni from that HS write about college experience

http://dms.spartanburg6.k12.sc.us/parentstudentresources/careercornernewsletter.aspx

Use Website to Share CCR Information

Who? • Counselors, teachers, administrators, parents, students, community membersWhat?• Have a college and career centered section of the school counseling program’s webpage• Include links to local resources, information about FL schools, links to career info, etc.• Develop and include grade-specific handbooks about college info (see sample Berkely

HS website)How?• Work with your IT coordinator/webmaster at the school to put up links• Examples:

• http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/resources/college-career-center/college-career-guide/• http://nfm.leeschools.net/college-and-career-corner

• Advertise that info is available at your website in newsletters, flyers sent home, etc.

http://bhs.berkeleyschools.net/resources/college-career-center/college-career-guide/SEE GRADE-SPECIFIC HANDBOOKS ON THIS WEBSITE AS WELL!

College-Centered Before/After School Workshops for Families

Who? • Parents, teachers, administration, counselors, community membersWhat?• Conduct workshops (e.g. “College Café”) for parents before/after schoolHow?• Do a needs assessment to see what information parents would like to

have and when would be the best time to meet• Arrange guest speakers (community members, teachers, admin) to give

a short lesson and answer questions• Sample topics: http://

www.reedms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/Workshops-and-Coffee-for-Parents-schedule-WRMS-2015-2016-4.pdf

Mentorship Programs for Students & Families

Who? • Students &/or parentsWhat?• Set up a mentorship program that either connects parents with alumni/upperclass parents, or students

with alumni/upperclass students (consider also elementary with middle school or middle school with high school pairing)

How?• Assess need for a mentorship program• Find volunteers to help you set it up• Have a kick-off meeting where mentors and mentees are invited• Have example things mentors would want to cover with their mentees (e.g., how they were able to

manage their time once in middle/high school, how they were able to get everything done in relation to CCR, what it was like going through deciding on a college, their experience with applying for financial aid, discussing stress/anxiety about this whole process, etc.)

• Arrange space/time for mentors to meet with mentees (you may want to be available for questions)• Clarify that the purpose of the mentoring relationship is for the mentor to share their personal

experiences, NOT to advise the mentee in any way on how to apply for colleges, financial aid, etc. or what choices to make

PDs for Teachers & Staff: Importance of Consistent Message that Postsecondary Education is Possible & Expected for All Students

Who? • Administration, teachers, and staffWhat?• In-service trainings that unify the message school is sending students: That

college is possible for all students!How?• Define purpose statement of college focus• Work with admin to ensure that the school’s mission statement is tied to

preparing all students to succeed in postsecondary education• Encourage discussion and help teachers find resources for students who

need help with finding an appropriate postsecondary track

Teacher-Specific Ideas

• Create “College Corners” and showcase alma maters• Integrate CCR into curriculum • Sponsor or co-sponsor College

Club• Host lunch workshop• Regular encouragement of

students to pursue advanced coursework, think about college, etc.

Common Practices that Can be Refined and Expanded:• Meet annually with feeder schools to develop CCR plan for scaffolding skills across the

grade levels• Continue teaching the “soft skills” needed for college/career success (e.g., time

management, organization, encouraging class participation, problem solving, working collaboratively, etc.)

• Financial aid workshops- both for students and parents & at EVERY grade level• College Fairs- Elementary & Middle can do these too!• Continue nurturing relationships with local colleges- organize field trips, college tours,

guest speakers, etc. to discuss issues common to your school’s population• Career Fairs• Share CCR messages at a variety of events: Orientation, Parent Meetings, Pep Rallies, etc.• Encourage all students to take rigorous coursework• Encourage all students to participate in extracurriculars and summer enrichment

programs• Celebrate every students’ postsecondary plans at the high school level

Discussion

• Pair up and discuss which interventions/activities you might like to implement at your school• Discuss obstacles and ways to overcome them

Questions?

Thank you so much for coming!!

Feel free to contact us with questions:.

Carolyn Berger: cs453@nova.eduEric Thompson: ethompson@nova.edu

Helpful Guides and References

• http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update/jan13/vol55/num01/Ready-Set%E2%80%94Not-So-Fast!.aspx• http://inpathways.net/BEST-CreateCollegeCultResourceGuide.pdf• http://

www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/collegeed/collegeEd-create-college-going-culture.pdf