Creating Early AwarenessAlice 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)
• 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 extra-
curricular activities, community service, volunteerism, etc.
• Creating customized student-specific plan that promotes the optimal postsecondary opportunities
Elementary & Middle SchoolThe Optimal Time for…………………………
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.
• Four-Year Schools
• Two-Year Schools
• Career Education Schools
• Technical Schools
• Military Education
• Apprenticeship
• Graduate/Professional School
Defining “College”
“Data-Driven” Read
How do Colleges Read Files?
This is a focus on the more quantitative pieces of the application – number of
Honors/AP Courses, overall GPA, core GPA, SAT/ACT
scores.
“Whole” Read
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
Goal Setting
Respect for Differences
Teamwork
Initiative
Balance/Life Roles
Time Management
Persistence
Coping Skills
Self-Awareness
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Career Development: It’s Personal!
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 Program
NACAC STEPS Curriculum
ALL Students …
Are prepared for a full range of post-secondary options through structural, motivational, and experiential college preparatory opportunities.
College-Going Culture: The GOAL
It’s a team effort: Counselors, teachers, and parents are
partners in preparing students for college.
• 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.
Creating 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 Culture
College TalkClear, ongoing communication among students, teachers, administrators, and families about what it takes to get to college
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture
College Talk Indicators
• Newsletter, newspapers, posters
• College Day – Pyramid Wide
• College Club for small learning groups – 1st Generation, CPP
• Personal writing contest – prep for essay writing
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture
• 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
College Day
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
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture
• K-16
–Backward Design
• Take English, Math Science, Social Studies, and World Language EVERY YEAR IN HS
–Middle School Math?
–Middle School World Language?
Four Year Academic Plan
• 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
College Vocabulary
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!
Getting Involved: What looks better?
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 college-going 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
Critical Principles for a College-Going Culture
• NACAC - http://www.nacacnet.org• ASCA- www.schoolcounselor.org• NOSCA- http://advocacy.collegeboard.org/college-
preparation-access/national-office-school-counselor-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
Resources