Sample Teacher Presentation-Raising College Aspirations

Raising Students’ College Aspirations at XXX School

Presenter Name

Presenter Contact Information

Presentation developed by:Dr. Carolyn BergerNova Southeastern University

Overview

•Creating a College-Going Culture

•What is a College-Going Culture?

• Interventions for Raising College Aspirations

• Setting goals and making plans

• Survey

Why is it important for educators to help their students set high goals?

College Aspirations & Creating a College-Going Culture• College and career aspirations are both valid and important

• This presentation focuses on college AND postsecondary aspirations

• Keep in mind this includes postsecondary vocational programs, state/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.”

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 create a college going culture? • Builds expectation of postsecondary education for all students,

regardless of background

• Keep in mind that:• 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• People with college educations are less likely to be incarcerated and are more

likely to live fulfilled and productive lives• There are postsecondary programs that suit students with a wide array of

intellectual capabilities• College is for people from ALL socioeconomic status backgrounds

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

• By 2020, the U.S. will be short 5 million workers with postsecondary education degrees • This is up from the projection of 3 million in 2018

• Center on Education & the Workforce study (Georgetown University):https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Recovery2020.Press-Release.pdf

Why create a college-going culture?

Examining our own personal beliefs…

Are ALL students capable of obtaining postsecondary education? (i.e., education beyond

high school)

Keep in mind that there are postsecondary programs for everyone!

• Examples:• Postsecondary programs for students with disabilities

• USFSP program: Sting Ray- http://project10.info/StingRay.php?PageCategory=StingRay

• FIU program: Project Panther Life- http://education.fiu.edu/pantherlife/history.html

• FAU program: Transitioning Owls- http://www.fau.edu/mediarelations/Releases0215/021522.php

• Technical Schools• Listing of technical/trade schools: http://www.trade-schools.net/locations/florida-schools-

directory.asp

• State Colleges

• Universities

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?

Does Your School Have a College-Going Culture?(Samples from College Board’s 19 Questions)

10. What is our faculty’s attitude toward the notion that every student at our school can succeed in college?

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?

19. What do we do to promote college information sessions?http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/collegeed/collegeEd-create-college-going-culture.pdf

Interventions for Raising College Aspirations & Tips for Implementation

Large-Scale Projects for Building College-Going Culture• Set up physical environment at school to encourage college exploration• Start a college club that meets after school or during lunch- focus will be on

exposing students to college options• Host college-centered workshops for families • Build a mentorship program for students and families• Use website to share CCR information- have a CCR specific webpage for

families to use as a resource• Incorporate CCR-related information into any school publications or

announcements (e.g., newsletters, morning news/announcements)• Create a college and careers area in the school where students can easily

access CCR-related information• Hold a College Day at the school – have students, teachers, and staff wear

college gear – imbed CCR activities that will encourage students to explore colleges

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

So how can teachers help?

Showcase your alma mater

• “College Corner”, Bulletin Boards, or use your classroom door to advertise where you went to school

Integrate CCR into curriculum

College & Career Readiness Topics:

• College Aspirations • Do your students believe they are capable of succeeding in a postsecondary program?

• Academic Planning for College and Career Readiness • Do your students know what it takes to plan their academic path for success?

• Enrichment and Extracurricular Engagement • Do your students understand the importance of participating in extracurriculars, enrichment

programs, and in leadership roles?

• College and Career Exploration and Selection Processes • Do your students explore careers and colleges? Are they exposed to their options for colleges and

careers?

• College and Career Assessments • What careers/colleges are your students interested in?

• College Affordability Planning • What do your students know about being able to afford college?

Brainstorming:

• How could you integrate one of the CCR topics presented into your courses?

1) College Aspirations

2) Academic Planning for College and Career Readiness

3) Enrichment and Extracurricular Engagement

4) College and Career Exploration and Selection Processes

5) College and Career Assessments

6) College Affordability Planning

Host a lunch workshop

• Offer to host students at lunchtime in your classroom

• Teach them about:• A particular career path

• Your college experience

• Your alma mater

• Invite a guest speaker like a relative or friend to share about their experience

Regular CCR-Related Encouragement

• Encourage students to pursue rigorous coursework

• Praise effort and encourage them to keep trying

• Share with students about college/career options

• Share your story! How did you succeed in college, in spite of the obstacles?

Goal-Setting & Planning DiscussionShort Term Planning• What can you practically do in the next month to begin to create a “College-

Going Culture” in your classroom?

Intermediate Planning• What can you do within the remainder of the school year?

Long-term Planning• Are there things you’d like to start trying out next year?

How can we help?What materials, information, resources can we provide you that would help you reach these goals?

Any Questions?

Thank you for coming!