Self-Assessment: Readiness for College Access The following questionnaire is designed to help a community assess its readiness and capacity to implement a college access program or center that involves college awareness, college advising, financial aid assistance, last dollar scholarships and other services to support and encourage more high school students and graduates to aspire to, enroll in, and graduate from college. This assessment will be used by MTCC VISTAs developing Local College Access Networks to establish baseline indicators of college access and success within each project s service area. Additionally, this assessment is intended to be a relationship builder, and it is expected that the assessment will be completed with the input of local stakeholders i.e. educators, school districts, college access programs, job-training programs. Data collected from this assessment will be presented to the Montana College Access Network as a baseline indicator of the efficacy of Local College Access Networks to address access and success issues specific to service areas. We understand that you are beginning a planning process and expect you to complete only those sections below that are not shaded. The shaded sections contain questions that you should keep in mind as you move forward in your planning and you do not need to answer them at this time. Please return a copy of this assessment by May 31st to: Brian Christianson, VISTA Program Manager Montana Campus Compact 302 University Hall Missoula, MT 59812 Fax: 406-243-5407 E-mail: christianson@mtcompact.org
Local College Access Network Name: Please describe your service area (i.e. district, county, region): List all communities within the service area: COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION (service area) Describe the demographics of your community (population, socioeconomic characteristics, percentage of adults with degree, college-going rate, race, gender) Potential Data Sources: Census.gov, School District Student Information System, Student Self-Reported Data, State Department of Education Describe the demographics of the current population of students (Free/Reduced Lunch Status, high school graduation rate, college going rate, data on low-income families and first-generation college families). Potential Data Sources: Census.gov, School District Student Information System, Student Self-Reported Data, State Department of Education What are the major industries and employers in your area? Potential data source: Department of Labor What is the educational structure of your community? (Number of districts, number of schools, enrollments of middle school students, enrollments of high school students, etc.) What do you know about adult learners in your community? (The primary focus of your College Access Program is to reach high school students. However, over time you may want to expand to include adult learners.) Identify and describe other existing programs in your community that work to increase college-going rates in your community. (e.g., Talent Search, GEAR-UP, local pre-college programs, mentoring, private programs, EOC or other adult programs, etc.) - 2 -
List the postsecondary institutions in your area and indicate if they are two- or four-year and public or private. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF YOUR COLLEGE ACCESS PROGRAM OR CENTER Why is a college access program important to your community? Identify 3-5 objectives or outcome measures you wish to achieve by establishing a college access program? (Consider objectives for increased enrollment, graduation rates, parental engagement, direct services to student and families, financial aid leveraged, etc.) PROGRAM DESIGN What is your proposed service area? (school, district, city, county, etc.). Would you consider, perhaps in the future, outreach services to communities beyond your targeted location? What is/are the populations(s) you wish to serve? (Low-income students and families, underserved groups, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities, etc.) Which of the following services do you plan to offer (check all that apply)? School-based advising (college admissions, financial aid and career exploration) Resource center advising (college admissions, financial aid and career exploration) Community outreach activities Scholarships FAFSA preparation and submission assistance College entrance exam info (SAT and/or ACT) Early awareness (services to middle school and elementary students) Academic preparation services (e.g. tutoring, entrance exam preparation) Internet and technology-based services (scholarship search, career exploration, etc.) Fee waivers for tests, applications, or housing Other (specify): - 3 -
What are your projected budgetary needs for your first year of operation? Include staff, technology (computers, data management software, and laptops for use in counseling students), resource materials, furniture and office equipment, operational overhead, printing and publicity, and scholarship dollars. (Attach separate sheet) How will your needs for office space be met (both for operations and for school-based advisors)? Can your program or center be housed at a library, mall, community center, school, etc.? Will it be open during non-school, non-work hours? If there are existing college access programs in your community, how do you plan to coordinate or collaborate with those programs? Would you be willing to use an inventory worksheet to assess your college access environment? COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NCAN has found that support for college access by the following groups contributes to the success of an effective program or center. In each category below where you have established a connection, please identify key individuals or organizations and describe your relationship with them: The public school systems (preferably the superintendents and/or principals, and possibly guidance counselors) The business or corporate community (preferably with a visionary among the business leadership) The non-profit sector (including civic organizations, private and community foundations, clubs and youth-serving organizations, community centers, etc.) - 4 -
The governmental sector (preferably the local leader i.e., mayor, county executive, etc.) The private, non-profit sector The two-year and four-year colleges and universities in your community The religious leaders of the community The media (local newspaper, radio, TV, and other publicity/public service resources) BUILDING A LEADERSHIP TEAM Who is the visionary for this effort and what is his/her current position? What is his/her relationship to the community? Who is the operation leader for this effort and what is his/her current position? Does this person have experience managing a non-profit organization? What is his/her relationship to the visionary leader? To the community? List additional individuals, with their affiliations, who have indicated a commitment to work on the development of this program? Can you identify individuals who have indicated a commitment to work on the development of this program? Where do they work? Are their employers likely to participate in your college access initiative? - 5 -
RESOURCES Identify community resources to help implement and sustain the needs of your program or center for: Scholarships funds? Operation funds? Facilities (space rental, furniture, etc.)? Technology assistance (computer hardware, software, networking, etc.)? Business and legal advisement? Technical assistance relating to program development? Have you thought about individuals who might work for your program or center? List those who have expertise in the following areas: College admissions Financial aid Career exploration Fundraising Management Are there foundations or individuals of wealth in your community who you believe would financially support your efforts? If so, who are they? What portion of your required first-year operating funds are already committed, pledged, or in hand? - 6 -
This assessment was completed by: Name: Host Site: Campus Partner: Campus/Community Partners Included: Date: Please return a copy of this questionnaire to: Brian Christianson, VISTA Program Manager Montana Campus Compact 302 University Hall Missoula, MT 59812 Fax: 406-243-5407 E-mail: christianson@mtcompact.org - 7 -