New York State Higher Education Services Corporation Counselor Workshop

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New York State Higher Education Services
Corporation Counselor Workshop

• Creating a
• College-Going Culture
• David Eagle
• Retired Counselor and Principal, Lake George NY
• and College and Career Office Supervisor from
• Prince Georges County, Maryland

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• Access and
• Equity

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Our Mission
The College Boards mission is to connect
students to college success and opportunity.
We are a not-for-profit membership organization
committed to excellence and equity in education.
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PURPOSE

• Collaborate with HESC and high school teams on
  developing strategies to cultivate a
  college-going culture.
• Provide ideas, tools and resources that will help
  counselors increase student achievement and
  promote college/career readiness.
• Identify expectations to support a college-going
  culture in New York State schools.

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Student Pipeline How many students in the United
States get a college degree?

• 100 students start the 9th grade
• 69 (NY 63.4) will graduate high school in 4 years
• 42 (NY 47.1) will enter college
• 28 (NY 34.3) will return for sophomore year
• 20 (NY 21.2) will earn a Bachelors in 6 years

Source NCES Common Core Data, IPEDS Residency
and Migration, Fall Enrollment and Graduation
Rate Surveys
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NY State Trends for Student Pipeline Completion
Rates
Source NCES Common Core Data, IPEDS Residency
and Migration, Fall Enrollment and Graduation
Rate Surveys
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The College Readiness
Factor Considerable Importance
Grades in college prep courses 75
Strength of curriculum 62
Admission test scores 54
Grades in all courses 52
Essay or writing sample 27
Source Admission Trends Survey 2008, NACAC
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Why have a College-Going Culture?
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Teachers and counselors play a pivotal role in
creating a college going culture. They should

• Be required to have high expectations of
  themselves and their students
• Be encouraged by the administration
• Be given on-going professional development that
  offers adequate training and support
• Be allowed to have input organize and develop
  the schools goals and expectations with
  adequate time to work on the process

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The most important reason for a creating a
college going culture - are the students. They
must be a part of the process and be expected
to..

• Attend school and all classes on daily basis
• Develop a comprehensive academic plan geared
  towards graduation and acceptance into college
• Take challenging courses
• Prepare for required testing
• Explore college and career opportunities
• Become well informed and proactive about
  graduation requirements, college application
  timelines, financial aid and scholarships

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Sharing Promising Practices College Readiness

• THINK / PAIR SHARE
• What do you do at your school to promote
  College and Career Readiness?

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Total school involvement is necessary to develop
a nurturing environment with

• v high level of academic expectations
• v a sensitive attitude and approach to meeting
  their
• parents and students needs
• v an on-going system of communication between
  teachers, counselors and parents
• v a schedule that allows time for full staff
  input, ownership, accountability, planning and
  participation.

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Establish a team approach
School Administration
Family Community
STUDENT
S T UDENT
Teacher
School Counselor
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Taking Inventory
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You can begin by

• Taking inventory of current status and
  articulating clear future goals and high
  expectations
• Establishing communication that is timely and
  informative
• Having a sound understanding of the community
• Becoming sensitive to the needs of its staff,
  students and parents allowing for input and
  ownership
• Allowing teachers and counselors to take full
  ownership of creating a positive learning
  environment
• Providing viable capacity building skills with on
  going professional development and administrative
  support

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The crucial first step starts by asking critical
questions

• What are the overall current and long-term goals
  and expectations of our school?
• Is the school focused on providing rigorous
  academic classes monitoring daily attendance
  rates, and setting goals for high graduation
  percentages?
• Does the school provide academic and college
  counseling?
• Is counseling and tutoring available to all
  students and is it up to date?

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Continues with

• What percentage of the graduating class attend
  community colleges? Four year institutions?
• How do students get encouragement to plan for
  college and careers?
• Is there excessive competitiveness in the
  community to excel and go to college? Or is there
  no interest?
• What are the primary concerns of the parents in
  your school? Academics? Safety? Other?
• What are the expectations of teachers and
  counselors?

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And finally

• What percentage of the students are involved in
  electives that promote a good self image,
  athletics and other talents besides academic
  achievement?
• What percentage of students take PSAT/NMSQT, SAT?
• Do all the students have access to all the
  classes?
• What is the schools college application rate?
  College acceptance rate?
• How does the school promote college information
  sessions? Financial aid assistance? Scholarships?

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Responses to these 3 key questions identify a
schools culture

• All students who attend this school are expected
  to _________________
• All counselors who work at this school are
  expected to__________________
• A person cannot walk down the hallways of this
  school without seeing_______________

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• In God we trust.
• All others bring data
• Anonymous

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Cultivating a College-Going Culture

• Parents Plant the Seed

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Parents can.

• help to create a good learning environment
• influence students on course decisions
• shape students aspirations and set higher goals
• give informed structure for advance planning
• encourage students to find the right college
• assist students find financial aid and
  scholarships
• become a key support system that encourages
  academic planning, career goals and making sound
  college choices for future success

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Tips for engaging parents

• Encourage them to become partners in the decision
  making process solicit their ideas
• Create and distribute a monthly informational
  newsletter - translate it in the prominent
  languages.
• Provide a resource area or parents room they
  can visit, go to for information or speak to
  school personnel make it welcoming
• Host varied and viable parent events that
  encourage active participation and discussion

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It Requires Planning and Scheduling Events
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Suggested School Events

• Orientation introduce schools rules, calendar,
  graduation requirements, testing dates, services
• College Information Nights College Fair
• Financial Aid Workshops
• Academic Recognition Events Awards Night
• College Visits ask parents to chaperone
• Panel Discussions on topics of value, invite
  guest speakers, allow parents to plan and host

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The Equity Challenge
Without preparation, opportunity is an empty
promise. Alan Page, former NFL star, current
Minnesota State Supreme Court Justice
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Thank you for your hard work and dedication in
preparing all your students for college and
career success!
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• Getting Started
• Develop A College Going Culture Action Plan

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Nine Critical Principles of College Going Culture

• College Talk
• Clear Expectations
• Information and Resources
• Comprehensive Counseling Model
• Testing and Curriculum
• Faculty Involvement
• Family Involvement
• College Partnerships
• Articulation
• Dr. Patricia McDonough, UCLA Graduate School of
  Education and Informational Studies, Building a
  College Culture Needs, Goals, Principles and a
  Case Study

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College Talk
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
Visuals Decorate walls with college logs murals with inspiring college dreams college banners in halls,   Counselors, students, peer leaders, student council posters, college banners
Teachers talk about their own college experiences in class All teacher advisors   Get word out to teachers on the importance of sharing college experiences
"College Corner" in each classroom with college information  All teachers counselors   informational handouts and posters
"Alumni Day" where former student return on college breaks to speak to advisories or assembly about college realities and advice for high school preparation for success. School counselor or adults with contacts with some Alumni Former graduates now in college Student leaders  
College Going Culture committee goals Counselors, administrators, Advisory leaders   Time to present at teacher meeting
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Clear Expectations
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
All students informed about the course requirements, AP, Elective courses, and all tests needed for state university admission Professional School Counselors, Advisors Leadership students Compare required state courses and actual student transcripts in advisories Put posters of the State University requirements in every classroom.
School Mission Statement. School leadership is committed to building a college culture All school personnel provide a consistent message to students that supports college preparedness. Administration, Counselors, teachers, Students, Parents Posted school mission statement in every classroom. PD for teachers. Use of materials like Big Future
Information explaining the impact of the transcript on admission through annual review of student transcripts in an advisory lesson and /or discussion of grades during individual parent meetings. Administration, Counselors, teachers, Students, Parents An advisory lesson where each student reviews their own transcript.
Use of senior contract to ensure that every senior and parent knows what courses are required to graduate. Senior school counselor Students, Parents  
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Information and Resources, cont
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
Posters showing salary contrasts between non-college and college grads Administrators School Counselors    
Posting student college acceptance letters and scholarships on a bulletin board Administrators School Counselors    
Photos of college trips, and other college admission activities Administrators School Counselors    
Student college campus tours Administrators School Counselors Advisors Business and community partners or student fundraisers to defray costs to students
"Fantastic Fridays"- College recruiters are scheduled during lunch hour to meet with students in the media center Administrators School Counselors Teachers to encourage students to attend Coordination with the various college admission offices
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Information and Resources
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
Advisories- College materials and online activities- grade 9-12 by grade level, preferably once a week, to focus on timely college readiness information and relationship building Principals, School Advisory leader, Teacher advisors College materials for students and staff, Internet connectivity and access to computer labs for students to do research and create their portfolios.
College and Career Fairs Events Open to Middle and High Schools Inspirational - Speaker's Bureau- professional volunteers speaking to 9th grade advisories or classes -Lots of excitement about going to college (musical skits, award assemblies, etc..) Administration, School Counselors, AVID Coordinators  
Informational College Recruiters come to give information on admission, financial aid, SAT testing, Specific college info and majors College Recruiters School Counselors    
Workshops on admission applications, college essays and recommendations College Recruiters School Counselors English teachers using the essay as an assignment  
AP Information Night for Parents and Students School Counselor, AP Coordinator  
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Comprehensive Counseling
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
Professional School Counselor training to keep counselors updated on the College Admission process and best practices. Encourage every student interaction as an opportunity for college counseling. PSC department chair, Principal   Bring counselor PD to district or send them to annual College Board workshops to share best practices, College visits, online webinars
Helping International students navigate the college admission process International Student Office, ESOL teachers, School Counselors, Advisory teachers International School Counseling Office If no ISCO then bring in a presenter to speak with counselors.
Supporting students who would be first generation and underserved going to college Principals, Counselors GEAR UP, AVID, College student volunteers Mentors assigned to work with selected students for four years with focus on study skills, college planning, financial aid and test prep as well as academic support
Do a presentation to all 8th graders on the criteria for placement into any special support programs in your school. AVID reps, Middle School Counselor School Counselors, Advisory teachers, Cooperation with the Middle School administration to set up opportunities for presenting to students and parents
Counselors provide teachers with accurate information about course advisement, skills for college success and information about financial aid. Advisory teachers, School Counselors  PD for teachers, College materials, website and brochures from College Board
Academic Advising through one on one meetings with the school counselor School Counselors Student, Parent Four year academic plan form and the Personalized Education Plan form
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Testing and Curriculum
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
PSAT given on school day to all 10th graders with fees waived. Principal, school counselor, testing coordinator Budget for testing or a grant
Increase AP offerings, Use online courses if necessary to increase opportunity for college prep type courses Principal, IT staff, schedulers Counselors, All students, Training for teachers for interested in teaching online AP program, Second assignment compensation and materials for instruction
Saturday AP prep or Summer AP Bridge programs AP Coordinator, veteran AP teachers Interested students Second assignment compensation and materials for instruction
Use of the free online College Quickstart program to help all Sophomores and Juniors individualize their preparation for the SAT School Counselor, Advisory teachers students, parents This is a free program when students take PSAT
College Prep/SAT Prep elective course for Juniors and Seniors principals, Counselors, selected teachers Peer Leaders Cost of the program and the necessity of a FTE teaching position
Use of the AP Potential to identify the "diamonds in the rough" who may be successful in AP. Take advantage of the Summary of Answers Report from PSAT that can support the areas of instructional need. Principals, school counselors, schedulers AP Teachers, students, parents This is a free service as long as there is enough students who take the PSAT.College Board training on the use of the online report and the SOAS report
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Faculty Involvement
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
Use of college websites and advisory curriculum to collaboratively talk about college prep Principal, All teachers School counselors, students College materials, LCD projector and internet connection in advisory room
College Banner or poster indicating the teachers' alma mater posted on their door- including the admission requirements of that college Principal, Advisory coordinator all teachers poster materials or college banners
AVID Training for all teachers involved with AVID AVID coordinator AVID teachers AVID training materials
As needed embedded training on college advisement for the teachers- individual, small group and total faculty. Principal, School Counselors College Admission reps Opportunity within prep periods, PD days or faculty meetings
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Family Involvement
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
Parents are given the Parents Handbook created by Counseling staff Counselors Parents College Parent Guides in English and Spanish
Freshman Parents are invited to attend College Information Meetings Administration, School Counselor All incoming freshman parents Bi-lingual office Message ALL kids can go to college, Involve AVID where possible, Use College Board printed and online resources
College Admission and Financial Aid Information Nights School Counselor, Area College Admission and Financial Aid Officer All parents but strong focus on Junior/Senior Parents FAFSA and other financial aid forms at workshops, Online access for training
College Going Culture Informational online link to district web page. Webmaster or IT office, school counselor College Going Culture Committee Support from counselors and College Board staff on what should be included on site. IT support on the development of the page.
AP Information Nights Principal, School Counselor, PTSA, SGA  
Parents receive the Profile of a Graduate brochure and recommended college required course information prior to their child's scheduling or at a meeting with counselor School Counselor , PTSA Profile of a Graduate brochures, Personal Education Plan online
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College Partnerships
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
Make strong contacts with nearby colleges - both four year and community colleges-for speakers, field trips, etc.. School Counselor, AVID coordinator, Advisory coordinators Students, Student leadership clubs, teachers Money for buses, organization of speakers in classes or advisories
Use university volunteer students to give students real timely information and experience at a college College Admission Offices, School counselor First generation students
Arrange for more school counselors to do college campus tours through college consortiums to expose them to new campuses PSC leadership team, College consortium leaders, school counselors   Meeting with college consortium representatives to develop counselors tours that are paid for. Counselors would use professional leave time to go on tours.
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Articulation
Sample HS
Activity and Related Principle Lead person and Key Individuals Committee or Other Groups Involved Support Needs (Logistical, materials, etc..)
College Going Culture presentation to Middle and Senior high school counselors PSC Office School Counselors Discussion of taking rigorous courses with a college emphasis starting in Middle School
Summer Bridge Programs for Rising 9th graders Principals teachers, counselors, parents, Possible transportation, cost of teachers summer position
Orientation Day to High School Principals Coordination between the middle school feeder schools and the high schools

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Your schools College Going Culture

• Identify by starring the activities
  or actions in these handouts that you are
  already doing
• Check the activities that you could
  realistically see your school implementing soon.
• Triangle next to the actions you
  would like to implement but anticipate will take
  some time to put in place.