the yes prep way: supporting first-gen students to and through college rob mooring director of...
TRANSCRIPT
The YES Prep Way: Supporting First-Gen Students To and
Through College
Rob MooringDirector of College Counseling
(Former)YES Prep East End Campus
Session Outcomes ● Share and highlight key issues affecting
college persistence and graduation, especially for First-Generation students.
● Provide overview of relevant cognitive and non-cognitive research and essential questions used to inform current and future practices.
● Share lessons learned and best practices around college preparation, college access and overall alumni support.
Think, Pair and Share
●What are some of the challenges in working with first-generation college students and their families?
Agenda●Define It: History & Purpose
●Do It: Implementation & Results
●Build It: School-Based Non-Cognitive Practices
●Questions & Answers
Agenda●Define It: History & Purpose
●Do It: Implementation & Results
●Build It: School-Based Non-Cognitive Practices
●Questions & Answers
A Sense of History
13 CAMPUSES SERVING OVER 8,000 STUDENTS
- Future capacity of ~10,300- Drawn from 90+ Houston zip codes
STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS
- Grades Served: 6th-12th
- 84% are FARM eligible- 97% Hispanic or African American
HOME OFFICE STAFF- People and Program Team
- Finance Team- Development Team
- Growth, Operations and Technology Team
CAMPUS-BASED STAFF- 13 YES campuses
- Over 725 staff
Current Profile2014-2015 School Year
Redefine Possible
Hoffman
White Oak
Key Issues Facing College PersistenceNational research, along with YES Prep’s own research, shows the following to be the key factors that will often determine persistence in college:
Level of Academic Preparatio
n
Lack of College
Knowledge(Admissions,
Matriculation & Graduation)
Lack of Financial
Aid Awareness & Literacy
Utilization of college / university resources(Academic &
Personal / Social-
Emotional)
External Mitigating Situations
Agenda● Define It: History & Purpose
● Do It: Implementation & Results
● Build It: School-Based Non-Cognitive Practices
● Questions & Answers
Our “To and Through” Approach: Putting the Pieces TogetherOver the years, our approach to supporting students to and through college has evolved. Though each component has always existed, the way we approach each has evolved as our alumni population has grown and changed.
SeminarProgram Student
Opportunities
CollegeCounseling Alumni
Support
Our Approach…
SeminarProgram Student
Opportunities
CollegeCounseling Alumni
Support
Seminar Program Across High School“Transition-College Knowledge”
Research colleges and universities that are reach, target, and solid;
Apply to and attend fly-in programs, attend local area college information sessions and workshops, attend school-based college visits, and attend YES Prep college fair; and
Finalize a well-balanced reach, target, and solid college list that is mutually agreed upon by college counselor, student, and family.
Senior
Explore college and university academic programs, student support systems, campus social/recreational offerings, campus environment, and cost of attendance;
Evaluate college and university academic programs, student support systems, campus social/recreational offerings, campus environment, and cost of attendance;
Compare college and university admission criteria to his/her academic credentials and personal interests to determine admissibility; and
Create a well-balanced initial reach, target, solid college list.
Junior
Explore college and university academic programs, student support systems, campus social/recreational offerings, campus environment, and cost of attendance at commonly attended Texas public universities and IMPACT schools;
Identify academic programs at three to five colleges and universities that connect to potential career/major interests;
List college admission standards for three to five colleges and universities; and
Compare college and university admission criteria to his/her current academic credentials.
Sophomore
Explore college and university academic programs, student support systems, campus social/recreational offerings, campus environment, and cost of attendance at commonly attended Texas public universities and IMPACT schools;
Reflect on colleges and universities and explain what he/she likes and dislikes about the college;
List college admission standards for three to five colleges and universities; and
Compare college and university admission criteria to his/her current academic performance.
Freshman
Scaffolded and Reinforced Approach
Seminar Program Across High School“Transition-College Knowledge”
❖ MUST Read❖ Developmental Approach to College
Counseling❖ Shaped our Seminar Curriculum❖ Helped us Develop Five Major Focus
Areas❖ Aspiration❖ Preparation❖ Application❖ Transition❖ Graduation
❖ Most Compelling Message to Me❖ We’ll Talk More about Non-Cognitive
Skills Later
Wait, Huh?
● Start Small● Build from the ground up
● Differentiate based on development, grade level
● Identity● Value of College● People Like Me● Positive Self-Concept/Realistic Self Appraisal● Strong Support Person● Community
Our Approach…
SeminarProgram Student
Opportunities
CollegeCounseling Alumni
Support
Student Opportunities Program
- Exposure to world outside “community bubble”
- Builds and reinforces “non-cognitive” skills and traits
- Begins “letting go” for students and parents
Internships
Summer Opportunities
College Visits
Wait, Huh?
● Start Locally● Where could you network with
admission counselors to find out about programs on their campus?????
Our Approach…
SeminarProgram Student
Opportunities
CollegeCounseling Alumni
Support
College Counseling Program
Counseling & Advising
• One-on-one counseling and advising
Test Prep• Test prep in junior and
senior year
Instruction and Support
• Support and instruction through seminar program
Exposure to College
• Spring trips coordination and support
Wait, Huh?
● Start Strategically● Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Your Team
● Example: 100% of first gen students apply college
● What are the drivers?● How can you achieve them within the
context of your school?● How can you motivate your administration
to help/give you resources?
Our Approach…
SeminarProgram Student
Opportunities
CollegeCounseling Alumni
Support
Tra
ns
itio
n • To and From College
• Senior Summit
• Exit Interviews
• Alumni Send-Off Events C
on
ne
cti
on • Facebook
• Alumni Connect
• Alumni Socials
• Alumni Spotlights
• Alumni Connection Newsletter
• Site Visits
Pro
gra
ms • IMPACT
Partnership Program
• Alumni Scholarship Program
• Alumni Fellows Program
Re
so
urc
es • Alumni Portal
• Alumni Assistance Program
• Grad School Prep Nights
• Alumni Parent Support Network
• Webinars
Wait, Huh?
● Start Cheaply● Senior Week!
● Students come (provide food/candy, fill out information, get help with matriculation)
● TSI, Final Transcripts, Dissecting Financial Aid, College Portals
● National Student Clearinghouse● Provides reports 3 times a year (Fall, Spring,
Summer)● Cost: $425 annual subscription to Student
Tracker
Key Take-Aways From Our Experience
Level of Academic Preparatio
n
Demystifying the
college experience(Create “aha”
moments)
Ensure Financial
Aid Awareness & Literacy
Full utilization of college / university resources(Academic &
Personal / Social-
Emotional)
Fully Develop Alumni Support
Programs
Program Implementation On Your Campus
● Examples of Sample Programs/Ideas:● Seek out other local schools, college counselors and local
organizations that can assist with your efforts (professional development conference at colleges, TACAC Drive-In Workshops, etc.)
● Use classes (especially if they are double-blocked) to reach students
● Hold “office hours” once a week after school staffed by members of your department (rotate so that you only do it once/twice a month) OR hold on Saturdays (once a month)
Agenda● Define It: History & Purpose
● Do It: Implementation & Results
● Build It: School-Based Non-Cognitive Practices
● Questions & Answers
What’s the Difference?
Alumnus A Alumnus B
Stop-out Persistence
The Treadmill
What makes students successful?
Cognitive Non-Cognitive
IQ, memory, knowledge, vocabulary, etc.
Literally everything
else
What makes students successful?
Cognitive Non-CognitiveIQ,
memory, knowledge, vocabulary, etc.
Literally everything else
The last word…● Challenges
● Financial● Cultural
● Gabriela● Eunice
● Situational● Sam
Agenda● Define It: History & Purpose
● Do It: Implementation & Results
● Build It: School-Based Non-Cognitive Practices
● Questions & Answers
Questions & Answers
Additional Solutions & Resources
❖ MUST Read❖ Great “Book Club” Book❖ FREE PDF Version!
❖ First in the Family PDF
Printed Materials & Resources
Printed Materials & Resources
● Maximize the available print resources available to you and your students to build comprehensive and feasible college lists and choices (and at the same time, everyone’s college knowledge):● Examples include:
● Fiske Guide to Colleges (by Edward Fiske) – $24.00 per book (http://www.fiskeguide.com)
● Rugg’s Recommendations (by Frederick Rugg) – $25.95 per book (http://www.ruggsrecommendations.com)
● The College Finder (by Steven Antonoff) – $24.00 per book (http://www.wintergreenorchardhouse.com/College_Finder.html )
● The Book of Majors (College Board) - $20.05 per book
Technology Resources● Maximize the available tech resources available to you
and your students to research and expand college knowledge (meet them where they are) ● Examples include:
● Naviance – www.naviance.com (COST - if your school has this means)
● The College Board (Big Picture) - https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Presenter Contact Information
Rob Mooring(281) 844-3679 (cell)[email protected] (email)