1. Step-by-Step High School
Tania Rachkoskie NACAC Essentials of Professional Development

2. Tania Rachkoskie Director of Education & Training

3. WELCOME Step by Step Overview
The Step by Step to College curriculum was a collaborative effort developed between NACAC and the Center for Student Opportunity.
The Step by Step manual offers detailed plans and activities to support middle and high school students in the college preparation and admission process.
Workshops have been presented in middle and high schools, community-based organizations, independent counselor settings and at the last six NACAC conferences.

4. College Enrollment Rates:
Underrepresentation
African-American, Latino and Native American students are still significantly underrepresented in college in general and in four-year colleges in particular.
First-generation students – 59 percent
Students with parent with a 4-year degree – 93 percent
Rural students, despite better high school graduation rates, enroll in college at rates 6 percent lower than the national average and 8 percent lower than their metropolitan counterparts.
College Enrollment Rates:

5. Step by Step Overview
Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities
3 separate curriculums – middle school, early high school, and late high school
Parent/Guardian Workshops
Financial Aid Parent/ Guardian Workshops
Spanish PowerPoints / Handouts are Available

6. Sequential program Step by Step Overview
45-60 minute student centered lesson plans
Sequential program
Middle School - grades 7 and 8
Early High School - grades 9, 10, and first semester grade 11
Late High School - second semester of grade 11 and grade 12

8. (3 - 4 activities per session)
45-60 minute student centered lesson plans with optional parent sessions
(3 - 4 activities per session)
Sequential, developmentally appropriate programming
middle school students in grades 7 and 8
early high school students in grades 9, 10, and first semester grade11
late high school students in the second semester of grade 11 and grade 12

9. Using Steps …
6 – 8 week after/before school program / guidance class
Homeroom / Advisory time
Individual / family counseling
PTA / Parent meetings

10. Parent Programming

11. Objective Provide information to parents and
guardians that will help them
become informed, confident
advisors to their children about
postsecondary academic options.

12. Early High School PP Charting a Challenging High School Experience
Postsecondary education
Educational routes
Interest, values and abilities as pertains to decision-making
Enlisting teacher and counselor support
Types of Financial Aid

13. Follow the Road to College
Late High School PP
Follow the Road to College
College selection and application process
Parts of the application
Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
Parent and family role in the college admission process

14. Financial Aid PP Paying for College
Financial Aid Calendar (changes coming…)
Terminology
Assessing need
Types of financial aid

15. Student Curriculum

16. Question Toss-Beach Ball Game
If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get?
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
What is one goal you’d like to accomplish during your lifetime?
When you were little, who was your favorite super hero and why?
Who is your hero? (a parent, a celebrity, an influential person in one’s life)
What’s your favorite thing to do in the summer?
If they made a movie of your life, what would it be about and which actor would you want to play you?
If you were an ice cream flavor, which one would you be and why?
What’s your favorite cartoon character, and why?
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why
Are you a morning or night person?
What are your favorite hobbies?
What are your pet peeves?
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

17. Middle School Curriculum
Challenge students to see college admissions and attendance as a goal
Help students assess their interests, strengths, and academic habits
Explain concepts about college options and financial aid

18. Early High School Curriculum
Instill the belief that college is accessible and affordable
Demonstrate ways for students to build a strong curricular and extracurricular foundation
Develop an understanding of and a plan for standardized testing
Promote the need for self-motivation and a network of adult mentors
Assess career interests and aspirations as a way to research college options

19. Early HS – Session 1
Activities
College Bound Bingo
What’s Your Dream
Why College
College Costs / Financial Aid

20. (EHS - Session 4; Activity 4)
Great Sorting Game
(EHS - Session 4; Activity 4)

21. Late High School Curriculum
Develop a strategic plan for the college search and application process and the transition to college
Review standardized test questions and schedule test dates
Provide more in-depth analysis of career interests
Guide students through the application and essay process
Walk students through the financial aid process

22. (LHS – Lesson 1; Activity 2)
Defining College
(LHS – Lesson 1; Activity 2)

23. Step by Step Curriculum
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR COLLEGE VOCABULARY
What is the difference between a college and university?
What is a Hispanic serving institution?
What is the difference between Early Action, Early Decision and Select Early Action?
What is the difference between a research institution and a “teaching college”?
What is the difference between a grant and a scholarship?
Hispanic serving institution enroll over 25% grad and undergrad IE Florida International, UC Santa Barbara

24. Resource List College For Every Student www.collegefes.org
College: Making It Happen
Counselor Zone
ECMC Foundation – The College Place
Get Ready for College (MN)
Illinois Resource for undocumented students

25. Early Awareness Resource List
NACAC - Step-by-Step
NACAC – Knowledge Center
College Video Tours
Center for Student Opportunity
Big Future by The College Board
KnowHow2GO