GCAC COLLEGE ACCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS: A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY www.gacollegeaccesscourses.org
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 lowincome 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
No. of Participants Counseling Professionals Enrolled in GCAC 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Role of Enrollees (as of December 2013) HS Counselor MS Counselor Grad Advisor Other Position Assignment Total
No. of Participants Counseling Experience of GCAC Participants 60 Counseling Experience (as of December 2013) 50 40 30 20 Total 10 0 0-5 years 6-10 years 11-15 years 16+ years Years of Counseling Experience
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) http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ce/ 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 ccti@usg.edu
LOOK FOR CACG ON... TWITTER @CollegeAccessGA LINKEDIN College Access GA PINTEREST College Access (College Access GA) FACE BOOK College Access GA
Next Steps, Wrap-Up, Adjournment
www.gacollegeaccesscourses.org