GCAC COLLEGE ACCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS: A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY

COLLEGE ACCESS CHALLENGE GRANT (CACG)  Grant Implementation led by The University System of Georgia on behalf of the Governor’s Office.  Grant Partners Include:  Technical College System of Georgia  Georgia Department of Education  Georgia Student Finance Commission  Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education  Communities in Schools of Georgia  Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)

CACG GOALS  To increase the number of underrepresented students who graduate from Georgia high schools ready, supported and motivated to go into postsecondary education.  To increase the number of underrepresented students enrolled and persisting in postsecondary education.  To increase the college degree attainment of low- income adults with some college credits but no degree.

GEORGIA COLLEGE ACCESS COURSES The Georgia College Access Courses (GCAC) were developed to provide high quality, online professional learning for certified middle grade and high school counselors, college and career coaches and advisors, and postsecondary enrollment professionals

Overview of GCAC  ASCA National Model  Development by content experts  Middle grades and high school counselors  State agency representatives  College of Education faculty  Curriculum specialists  Education Development Center (EDC)

A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE DESIGNED WITH YOU IN MIND

A Professional Learning Experience  8 week online course for academic credit  Four stand-alone online courses  Each course includes four sessions  Each session requires two (2) weeks preparation  CEU/PLU credit  Facilitator led  Optional face-to-face workshops or hybrid approach

A Rewarding Learning Experience  REGISTRATION FEE – $100/course  Fully reimbursed upon completion of the course  STIPEND – $500  Awarded upon completion of 3 of 4 courses  Use for professional development opportunity  PLU or CEU – 4 credits/course  Credited upon completion of course

Counseling Professionals Enrolled in GCAC

Counseling Experience of GCAC Participants

THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE  Clearly stated learning objectives  Readings from a variety of sources  Active participant discussion forums  Applied Activities  Discussion rubrics  Videos  Action plans  Research  Enhance Professional Portfolio

THE MODULES CULTURE, PLANNING, FISCAL & MIDDLE GRADES

CULTURE MODULE BUILDING A COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE FOR ALL STUDENTS  Understanding and communicating the role of the school counselor across all areas to gain faculty and administrator support for the counseling program;  Advocating for the improvement of student school success and for removing barriers to high aspirations and achievement;  Promoting the "college-going" mission among the total school landscape;  Identifying and understanding how the diversity of the school cultural landscape impacts college access and success; and  Developing strategies and approaches for communicating and working with a diverse student and parent population.

CULTURE MODULE “Learning how other counselors communicate with students and parents. And the information on communicating with diverse populations.” TAKE AWAYS  YOUR PORTFOLIO  School Data Summary  One-week calendar that will allow you to meet with all students in a specific grade.  ACTION PLAN

PLANNING MODULE COLLEGE, CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANNING  Encouraging early career awareness and planning;  Communicating information to both students and parent about course options and how they fit into the student's career plan;  Focusing on data to monitor the progress of struggling students and plan interventions;  Exploring postsecondary choices and analyzing the characteristics for best student fit; and  Developing strategies and approaches for communicating and working with a diverse student and parent population.

PLANNING MODULE “The readings were great and the College Readiness Barometer form was very helpful - Going from Middle to High School.” TAKE AWAYS  YOUR PORTFOLIO  NOSCA College Readiness Barometer  Student Interventions Worksheet  Career Lesson Plan  ACTION PLAN

FISCAL MODULE FINANCIAL AID AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS  Ensuring parents and students have the knowledge needed to overcome barriers to college access and success;  Assisting students in preparing for admissions tests;  Collaborating with teachers to assist students with application packets, i.e. English teachers and the college essay, developing resumes; and  Developing strategies and approaches for communicating and working with a diverse student and parent population.

FISCAL MODULE “Gaining new information to help my students and to re-affirm what I was already doing. This course will help to make me a more effective counselor.” TAKE AWAYS  YOUR PORTFOLI0  Financial Aid/College Admissions Calendar  Parent Night Worksheet  Grants, Loans and Scholarships Chart  ACTION PLAN

MIDDLE GRADES MODULE COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING IN THE MIDDLE GRADES  Establishing a college-going culture in middle grade schools that inspires and motivates students to pursue education beyond high school;  Engaging middle school students in career planning and outstanding academic achievement;  Creating transition activities for parents and middle grade students to help these students prepare for high school; and  Increasing the number of underrepresented students who enroll in college or technical institutions after graduation.

MODULE 4: MIDDLE GRADES TAKE AWAYS  YOUR PORTFOLIO  Barriers Chart Worksheet  PowerPoint Slide Show  ACTION PLAN  Identify strategies to engage students  Assist a student with planning academic goals  Survey community to identify assets and resources

GCAC REGISTRATION OPEN ONLINE NEXT SESSIONS: MARCH 17, 2014 – MAY 16, 2014 JUNE 16, 2014 – JULY 25, 2014 (only 6 weeks) programs/onlineofferings/collegeaccess/

Alternative Modalities  ONLINE COURSE  FACE-TO-FACE ORIENTATION PLUS ONLINE COURSE  INTEGRATE CONTENT INTO MASTER’S PROGRAM FOR COUNSELOR

CONTACT US QUESTIONS & COMMENTS ENCOURAGED

GCAC INFORMATION... Ava J. Baker Program Manager Georgia College Access Courses Office of College Access Board of Regents, University System of Georgia

LOOK FOR CACG ON...  TWITTER  LINKEDIN – College Access GA  PINTEREST – College Access (College Access GA)  FACE BOOK – College Access GA

Next Steps, Wrap-Up, Adjournmen Next Steps, Wrap-Up, Adjournment