2. Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling www.mn-acac.org www.mn-acac.org MACAC supports education professionals (HS & College) as they guide students & families in the postsecondary education planning process. We advocate for policies & programs that benefit our members & those students & families whom we serve at local, regional & national levels. Dan Tomhave, Bethany Lutheran College, MACAC President: dtomhave@d.umn.edu Chris Franken, Eastview High School,MACAC Past President: Chris.Franken@district196.org Craig Dodson, Breck School, MACAC President Elect : craig.dodson@breckschool.org

3. Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling www.mn-acac.org www.mn-acac.org Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee Tri- Chairs: Purpose of the IAS committee is to advocate & recommend strategies that promote sensitivity to human differences & expansion of equal access to postsecondary educational opportunities for all students. Laura Favreau, Senior Admissions Counselor, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities Committee Co-chair: lauraf@umn.edu Samantha Savoie, Assistant Director of Admission, St. Catherine University Committee Co-chair: shsavoie@stkate.edu

4. An Important Policy Issue Six out of every ten jobs in our economy depend on workers with at least a two-year college degree. A shortage of 14 million college-educated workers is predicted by 2020. Despite extensive financial aid expenditures, the gap between low-income and high-income students attending college today is roughly the same as that participation gap in the 1960s. Improving academic preparation for college and ensuring affordability, especially for low-income students and students of color, has widespread support from researchers, policymakers, and advocates. Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

5. Underrepresentation College Enrollment rates: First-generation students - 59% Students with parent with a 4-year degree - 93% African-American, Latino and Native American students are still significantly underrepresented in college in general and in four-year colleges in particular. Rural students, despite better high school graduation rates, enroll in college at rates 6% lower than the national average, and 8% lower than their metropolitan counterparts. Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

6. Underrepresentation Minnesota Office of Higher Education

7. Families As College Preparation Partners Family encouragement is key to stimulating students forming college plans by 8th grade Family support and early educational plans predict students –1) developing and maintaining college aspirations –2) sustaining motivation and academic achievements –3) actual college enrollment Consistent communication among students, parents, and school personnel predicts increased enrollment in college Parents need to have an accurate understanding of college costs and the financial aid system Patricia M. McDonough Professor, Higher Education & Organizational Change Vice Chair, Department of Education Co-Director, Educational Leadership Program Graduate School of Education & Information Studies UCLA

8. NACAC Resource – Guiding the Way to Higher Education Step-by-Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities 3 separate curriculums – middle school, early high school, late high school –Parent/Guardian Workshops –Financial Aid Parent/ Guardian Workshops –Spanish Powerpoints Available

9. Step-by-Step to College 45-60 minute student centered lesson plans with optional parent sessions 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

10. 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

11. Middle School Curriculum Provide a template for building a college preparatory curriculum Encourage students to build a profile and support network to help them reach their college goals

12. Middle School Curriculum –College Bound Bingo (pg. 94) : First Activity

13. 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

14. Early High School Curriculum Promote the need for self- motivation and a network of adult mentors Assess career interests and aspirations as a way to research college options

15. Early High School Curriculum Activites –Beach Ball Toss –Long Term Dreams / Goals (pg. 96) –Curriculum Planning (pg.120-122) –Understanding the Big Picture (pg.139-143)

16. 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

17. Late High School Curriculum Guide students through the application and essay process Walk students through the financial aid process

18. Early / Late High School Curriculum Activity : The Great Sorting Game (pgs. 289-300) Use discretion with group age, ability and environment with activities

19. Early / Late High School Curriculum Sample Worksheet –Understanding Standardized Testing (pg. 220) –How to Use your School Counselor (pg. 215-216)

20. Current Uses of Step-by-Step High School Counselors – For College Tours / College Fairs : give each student a copy of the College Visit Checklist & Sample Interview Questions (pgs. 239 - 244 and pgs. 265 - 266) – Teacher Recommendation Forms and Activities : for students to give to their teachers. (pgs. 259 – 264) – “Career and College Planning” for Juniors : used SBS curriculum for all juniors. Taught by teachers during home room.

21. Current Uses of Step-by-Step High School Counselors – After – School Workshops : Uses SBS - Late High School for after-school workshops with juniors 1 day a week for 6 weeks with juniors – Testing : Use with sophomores & juniors in the fall – Parent & Student Workshops - Discuss college & financial options

22. Current Uses of Step-by-Step College Admissions Representatives From an admissions office perspective - it is a great resource for working with groups of middle school and early high school students As a presenter - it is a good way to orient oneself and how to target themes & messages to this age group. Also, group activities add an interactive element. Example for a large group visit (Trio/ College Possible/ Avid) Katie Sankey example – Great Sorting Game and notecards 7-8th graders - Used the Bingo game in which the students talk to their peers. Gave Frisbees and pens to the winners. 9-10th graders - A popular activity focuses on students naming colleges based on a category (public state school, HBCU, Ivy League, art and design, etc.). Gave prizes to the first few finishers

23. Current Uses of Step-by-Step Affiliate State Organizations, Community Based Organizations & Independent Consultants –College Admission Workshops –for underserved students –Use at AVID Workshops Nationwide –Family Night Programs –at libraries, schools & churches –College Application Week- now College Knowledge Month –Emergency Housing Family Centers – do evening programs for students and parents. –Work with Community Group –use parent materials to help parents become more comfortable advocating for their children.

24. Suggested Student Learning Activities Preparing to Apply/College Search Session 1 – Goal Setting: Taking Stock p.196-217 Session 3 – The College Search p.234-244 Session 3 - Making the Most of a Campus Visit p. 239-244 The College Application Process Session 4 – The Application Process (Part 1) p.245-266 Session 5 – The Application Process (Part 2) p. 267-278 Financing College/Financial Aid Session 6 – Financial Aid p. 280-288

25. Parent Learning Activities College Preparation & Applications: Session 7 – Resources for Late HS p. 302-316 Financing College/Financial Aid: Session 7 – Resources for Financial Aid p. 317-323

26. Paying for College Videos Address general audience and first generation families Spanish, Hmong and Somali videos and resources Co-produced by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Minnesota Private Council http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/paying

27. Early Awareness Resource List NACAC - Step-by-Step www.nacacnet.org/steps NACAC – Knowledge Center www.nacacnet.org/research/KnowledgeCenter Center for Student Opportunity www.csopportunity.org Big Future by The College Board www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org KnowHow2GO www.knowhow2go.org Pathways to College www.pathwaystocollege.net

28. Early Awareness Resource List College For Every Student www.collegefes.org College: Making It Happen www.certicc.org/collegemakingit.aspx Counselor Zone www.collegezone.com/counselorzone/265.htm ECMC Foundation – The College Place www.ecmcfoundation.org Get Ready for College (MN) www.getreadyforcollege.org Illinois Resource for undocumented students http://www.iacac.org/undocumented/

29. Laura Favreau University of Minnesota- Twin Cities MACAC Inclusion, Access and Success Committee Co-Chair lauraf@umn.edu 612-626-4486 Samantha Savoie St. Catherine University MACAC Inclusion, Access and Success Co-chair shsavoie@stkate.edu 651-690-8655