College and Career Readiness Counseling A Professional Learning Activity

Rhonda Mammen, M.S. Director of Counseling Services Springfield Public Schools

Objectives for Today’s Session Participants will be able to create a district-wide professional learning activity for K-12 counselors using the Eight Components of College and Career Readiness Counseling. Participants will begin to develop an action plan that can be used to implement a new strategy or activity promoting the concept of “Creating a College-Going Culture”.

Norms We will… Begin and end on time Participate and process Respect the ideas of others Consider positive possibilities Be what we want to see Thanks

SCRAMBLED SENTENCES 1) EACH PERSON WILL WRITE ONE WORD ON A STICKY NOTE THAT ILLUSTRATES WHAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS. 2) IN YOUR GROUP, CONSTRUCT A SENTENCE THAT USES ALL THE WORDS, WHILE ADDING AS FEW NEW WORDS AS POSSIBLE. 3) BE PREPARED TO READ SENTENCE TO THE LARGE GROUP. Reconnect

Comments/Questions from last session: “ Learning needs to generalize into real world experiences.” “It appears we are going to be more universally expected to help connect students, teachers, life after HS. At least I hope that’s what SPS is promoting” “I need to be attentive to what teachers are teaching so I can incorporate their strategies into my lessons.” “The world of work job types are shifting and education needs to shift to make our students ready for their future jobs.” “College eligible does not mean college ready.”

“ Comments/Questions from last session: “How will we know we are doing what we are expected to do?” “How do I really use educational reform to drive lessons and interventions?

Prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and work grounded in research and best practices Ensure consistent support and expectation regardless of a student’s zip code Provide educators, parents and students with clear, focused guideposts Increase the number of students who are college and career ready

Creating a K-12 “College-Going” Culture Eight Components of College and Career Readiness Counseling

1. College Aspirations Goal: Build a college-going culture based on early college awareness by nurturing in students the confidence to aspire to college and the resilience to overcome challenges along the way. Maintain high expectations by providing adequate supports, building social capital and conveying the conviction that all students can succeed in college.

2. Academic Planning for College and Career Readiness Goal: Advance students’ planning, preparation and performance in a rigorous academic program that connects to their college and career aspirations and goals.

3. Enrichment and Extracurricular Engagement Goal: Ensure equitable exposure to a wide range of extracurricular and enrichment opportunities that build leadership, nurture talents and interests, and increase engagement with school.

4. College and Career Exploration and Selection Processes Goal: Provide early and ongoing exposure to experiences and information necessary to make informed decisions when selecting a college or career that connects to academic preparation and future aspirations.

5. College and Career Assessments Goal: Promote preparation, participation and performance in college and career assessments by all students.

6. College Affordability Planning Goal: Provide students and families with comprehensive information about college costs, options for paying for college, and the financial aid and scholarship processes and eligibility requirements, so they are able to plan for and afford a college education.

7. College and Career Admission Processes Goal: Ensure that students and families have an early and ongoing understanding of the college and career application and admission processes so they can find the postsecondary options that are the best fit with their aspirations and interests.

8. Transition from High School Graduation to College Enrollment Goal: Connect students to school and community resources to help the students overcome barriers and ensure the successful transition from high school to college.

Jigsaw 1.Please number off in your grade level teams. 1 through 4 2.Each team member will need a copy of the handout “Counselor’s Guide – Eight Components of CCR Counseling”, the notes page and a writing instrument. 3.We will be forming expert teams based on your grade level and assigned number.

Jigsaw 4.In your team you will read your assigned section. High School 1’sPages 2-5 2’sPages 6-9 3’sPages ’sPages Middle and Elementary 1’sPages 2-5 2’sPages 6-9 3’s Pages ’s Pages 14-16

Jigsaw 5.After everyone in your group has finished reading, beginning with person number one, each team member will “teach” his/her section of reading to the rest of the team. 6.When all have shared, please discuss your “take- away’s” from the team learning.

Summarization of Learning Each team will construct responses to the following prompts on post-its: 1.What is the M.I.P (Most Important Point) you are taking away from this morning’s learning about the Eight Components of CCR Counseling? 2.What additional information do you need? 3.Please post these responses on the appropriate chart.

Work Time Identify three activities or strategies that you will implement this year in the area of CCR Counseling or to support the concept of creating a “college- going” culture in your school.

Work Time You may use the following resources to generate ideas: 1.Information from today’s reading 2. Internet 3. Counselor colleagues

Work Time Activities or strategies… Should involve students, staff or parents. Should support your building SIP plan. May improve or build on something you are currently doing.

Work Time If you’re in a building with more than one counselor, you may identify activities or strategies that will be implemented by everyone, but at least one of the three must be something you personally will implement or do differently.

Work Time Create your action plan: What actions or changes will occur? Who will carry out these changes? By when they will take place, and for how long? What resources are needed to carry out these changes? Communication (who should know what?)

Parting Thoughts “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. “ John Quincy Adams

Resources componentshttp://nosca.collegeboard.org/eight- components readiness/school-counselinghttps://dese.mo.gov/college-career- readiness/school-counseling ASCA School Counselor – Vol.52,No. 2 “Get Ready – College and Career Readiness”

Rhonda Mammen, M.S. Director of Counseling Services Springfield Public Schools