Partnering with Parents to Support Academic Preparedness

in St. Clair County

St. Clair County KnowHow2GO Michigan College Access Network Conference

April 13, 2011

St. Clair County KnowHow2Go – Local College Access Network Creating a college-going culture in our community, in our schools, and with our families.

Our Mission

Creating a college-going culture in our community, in our schools, and with our families.

St. Clair County KnowHow2Go – Local College Access Network Creating a college-going culture in our community, in our schools, and with our families.

Leveraging resources to

create a college-going

culture

St. Clair County KnowHow2Go – Local College Access Network Creating a college-going culture in our community, in our schools, and with our families.

Our KH2GO Goals

Promoting KnowHow2GO

• Affordable• Expert teachers• Free resources

Streamlining your preparation:

Details about our ACT Prep sessions

ACT Prep Key Points

Ask An Expert topics:• Art/Music Options• Selective Colleges• College Sports• Essay Coaching

Learning from experts the nuances of specialized career and academic pursuits.

Sharing the story:Details about our Essay Coaching

session

College Essay Writing

Streamlining your preparation:

Details about our College Essay

Writing session

“Write on the page, not in your head.”

Debbie Merion

Why this Event is So Effective• Super-sized support: Parents, teachers and

educators share an event to support students.• For super-sized anxiety: College applications are

stressful, writing can be as well. (“writer’s block”)• Writing style can be mysterious: “We are taught

to write about what we know, not who we are.”• Students can support other students: Lessening

the need for secrecy, even though the goal of the essay is to be unique.

After the Teaching, the Excitement Begins

• Powerful mini-coaching session: After the teaching, students meet individually with adult professionals to brainstorm ideas, share drafts.

• The early goal: At this tender, early stage of college essay writing, we help students understand and embrace strengths that will interest colleges.

• The final goal: Apply, get accepted, and learn writing skills to be used in college and beyond.

Beyond a High School Essay:

• The reader has never met you.• More about who you are than what you

know.• Five-paragraph standard format is not

required.

“Show Don’t Tell” Example 1

• I am confident.

• I smile at people when I pass them in the hallways.

Characteristics of Sought-After Students

• Growth potential or evidence• Enthusiastic (AKA passionate)• Talented• (shows) Initiative• (demonstrated) Leadership• Anagram to remember: GET In Lead• Growth and leadership in areas of interest

Access our kit:www.sccresa.org

KnowHow2GO tab College Survival Kit

Explore, Plan, ACT

Total ParticipationKH2Go Events

St. Clair County WorkKeys 2010 Statistics

• 70% of current seniors earned a gold, silver or platinum WorkKeys certificate.

• St. Clair TEC students prep with KeyTrain.

Measuring Results

http://www.sccresa.org/toolsforschools/knowhow2go/

What questions do you have?

Contacts Gale Simon, Higher Education Consultant St. Clair County KnowHow2GO simon.gale@sccresa.org 810-455-4230Cathy Busdicker, Parent Liaison St. Clair County KnowHow2GO busdicker.cathy@sccresa.org 810-455-4014Debbie Merion, Essay Coach debbie@essaycoaching.comessaycoaching.com 734-646-5985