Raising Students College

Aspirations at XXX School

Presenter Name
Presenter Contact Information

Presentation developed by:

Dr. Carolyn Berger
Nova 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 bachelors degree earns $983 on average
A person with a masters 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

Why create a college-going culture?

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/wpcontent/uploads/2014/11/Recovery2020.Press-Release.pdf

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-schoolsdirectory.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 Boards 19 Questions)

10. What is our facultys 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 schools name. You
can only use each person once and each college/university once. Complete the sheet
and turn it in to Principal Smiths office to be entered in a prize drawing!
This college or university.

Persons 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 womens 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 Discussion

Short Term Planning
What can you practically do in the next month to begin to create a CollegeGoing Culture in your classroom?
Intermediate Planning
What can you do within the remainder of the school year?
Long-term Planning
Are there things youd 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!