"A report out today looks at just who is getting a college degree,
offering schools insight into the factors that lead to success and ways
to better serve students."
The Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA published the report, which offers some new ways of thinking about how to evaluate a college's ability to move students towards completion. Among other things, the following factors seem to play a role in a student's likelihood of earning a degree:
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
CACG in Action!
You may have noticed a new link on the right hand side of the blog titled "CACG in Action!" That's where we're posting all the local media coverage related to the College Access Challenge Grant and the great work of our partner organizations.
While we're keeping an eye out, we simply don't have the ability to see everything all the time. If your project is highlighted in the media (print, online, or even television or radio), we want to know about it! Please make sure to send an email to Adrienne when you and your students are recognized in this way.
Of course, don't forget to keep your eye on that section of the blog. It'll give you a chance to learn about the great work of your colleagues around the state. It's where you'll find newspaper stories like this one about one of our 2010 recipients. Or how about this one that was picked up by the AP and highlights the work of an organization funded in both 2010 and 2011, as well as a new 2011 partner?
While we're keeping an eye out, we simply don't have the ability to see everything all the time. If your project is highlighted in the media (print, online, or even television or radio), we want to know about it! Please make sure to send an email to Adrienne when you and your students are recognized in this way.
Of course, don't forget to keep your eye on that section of the blog. It'll give you a chance to learn about the great work of your colleagues around the state. It's where you'll find newspaper stories like this one about one of our 2010 recipients. Or how about this one that was picked up by the AP and highlights the work of an organization funded in both 2010 and 2011, as well as a new 2011 partner?
Undocumented Students in Oregon
From our friends at Oregon GEAR UP:
"Educators may struggle with giving undocumented students and families advice when it comes to attending college. Oregon GEAR UP has compiled basic information specific to Oregon as well as helpful outside resources in an informational slideshow for anyone who works with undocumented students.
Check out Undocumented Students in Oregon:Information for Educators, Parents and Students to help you continue encouraging and supporting all students to attend college. A Spanish version will be available soon!"
And take note - the Oregon GEAR UP site is a great resource for all kinds of college access information, including a guide for planning college visits and a job shadow guide for students. Plus, they have a weekly newsletter chock full of great resources, news, and opportunities. If you're interested in receiving their newsletter, send an email to Dana Beck.
In the News: Official Calls for Urgency on College Costs
"As Occupy movement protests helped push spiraling college costs into the national spotlight, Education Secretary Arne Duncan
urged higher-education officials Tuesday to 'think more creatively —
and with much greater urgency' about ways to contain costs and reduce
student debt."
"While devoting most of his speech to the cost problem, Mr. Duncan sketched out three department initiatives using the same kind of financial incentives he has previously used to spur K-12 reform. He described plans to replace the expiring Perkins loan program with campus-based, low-cost student loans awarded in part on how well the campus has done in graduating Pell recipients; incentive grants rewarding states and institutions for making changes that increase completion rates and close achievement gaps; and a fund to support programs that use innovation to accelerate learning and hold down tuition."
Duncan also mentioned the University of Oregon's PathwayOregon program, which is described on the UO website: "The PathwayOregon program could be for you if you're an Oregonian wondering how you might afford an education at the state's flagship university. The program ensures that academically qualified, lower–income Oregonians will have their University of Oregon tuition and fees paid with a combination of federal, state, and university funds. The highest-achieving students in the program have the opportunity to be selected for a grant to cover housing costs as well."
Read the article and learn more about Duncan's comments in The New York Times.
"While devoting most of his speech to the cost problem, Mr. Duncan sketched out three department initiatives using the same kind of financial incentives he has previously used to spur K-12 reform. He described plans to replace the expiring Perkins loan program with campus-based, low-cost student loans awarded in part on how well the campus has done in graduating Pell recipients; incentive grants rewarding states and institutions for making changes that increase completion rates and close achievement gaps; and a fund to support programs that use innovation to accelerate learning and hold down tuition."
Duncan also mentioned the University of Oregon's PathwayOregon program, which is described on the UO website: "The PathwayOregon program could be for you if you're an Oregonian wondering how you might afford an education at the state's flagship university. The program ensures that academically qualified, lower–income Oregonians will have their University of Oregon tuition and fees paid with a combination of federal, state, and university funds. The highest-achieving students in the program have the opportunity to be selected for a grant to cover housing costs as well."
Read the article and learn more about Duncan's comments in The New York Times.
In the News: Middle Schoolers Getting Prepped for College
"A rise in college- and career-readiness programs targeted at middle
schoolers, particularly disadvantaged ones, has been spurred by mounting
research that shows middle school is a key time to improve the
academics and attitudes needed to succeed in high school, college, and
beyond.
"But successful programs aimed at the middle grades cannot focus solely on mapping out coursework and taking standardized tests, educators say. They have to reach young adolescents in innovative ways that combine the efforts of parents, schools, and the community to set those students on a path to a better future. Students have to especially feel they are pursuing their own goals."
Read the article at Education Week. (Note: you may need to register for free to access the article)
"But successful programs aimed at the middle grades cannot focus solely on mapping out coursework and taking standardized tests, educators say. They have to reach young adolescents in innovative ways that combine the efforts of parents, schools, and the community to set those students on a path to a better future. Students have to especially feel they are pursuing their own goals."
Read the article at Education Week. (Note: you may need to register for free to access the article)
Monday, November 28, 2011
Poll: Topical Discussions
As you know, one of the benefits of receiving a College Access Challenge Grant is joining a community of others across the state who work daily to assist Oregon's youth in their quest for higher education. This year, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to host 5 topical discussions about issues that face college access practitioners during the course of your work.
We know our first discussion will be in early January, but we don't yet know what you want to talk about. We've got a few ideas about relevant topics, but we certainly aren't the experts on your most pressing issues. To ensure that these conversations will be most useful to you, we're asking that program staff from each of our partner organizations weigh in by participating in the poll below.
If you have an idea that isn't listed here, please leave it in the comments section. If someone leaves a comment with an idea you love, let us know!
We know our first discussion will be in early January, but we don't yet know what you want to talk about. We've got a few ideas about relevant topics, but we certainly aren't the experts on your most pressing issues. To ensure that these conversations will be most useful to you, we're asking that program staff from each of our partner organizations weigh in by participating in the poll below.
If you have an idea that isn't listed here, please leave it in the comments section. If someone leaves a comment with an idea you love, let us know!
Tips for College Interviews
Some of you are working with seniors who have begun their college search in earnest, and for a few of those students, that might mean partaking in the ritual of the sometimes-scary college admissions interview.
If my information is still accurate, it was about two years ago that the last university that required an interview for admissions purposes decided that the resources necessary to meet those requirements just weren't feasible any longer. So, while interviews aren't a required part of the process for any students, that doesn't mean they aren't a helpful part of the process. And they are often a significant part of the process for scholarship consideration. As a result, it may not be a bad idea to add interview preparation to the long laundry list of things you do to help your juniors and seniors as they embark on this journey.
I recently read a blog post from someone who regularly interviews students for his alma mater. He offers 10 tips to assist students in their preparation for these conversations. Having worked in admissions for 8 years, at two institutions where interviews were "highly recommended but not required," I've had the pleasure of conducting -quite literally- thousands of admissions interviews. So I sometimes come to these types of posts with a bit of skepticism. That said, when I read this list of 10 "Notes of College Interviewees," I found myself vigorously nodding along to 8 of them. (Numbers 2 & 3 are really a matter of opinion, and they don't happen to be ones I hold.)
In addition to these tips, I'll also share the following - all things I told students and their families during my years in admissions:
If my information is still accurate, it was about two years ago that the last university that required an interview for admissions purposes decided that the resources necessary to meet those requirements just weren't feasible any longer. So, while interviews aren't a required part of the process for any students, that doesn't mean they aren't a helpful part of the process. And they are often a significant part of the process for scholarship consideration. As a result, it may not be a bad idea to add interview preparation to the long laundry list of things you do to help your juniors and seniors as they embark on this journey.
I recently read a blog post from someone who regularly interviews students for his alma mater. He offers 10 tips to assist students in their preparation for these conversations. Having worked in admissions for 8 years, at two institutions where interviews were "highly recommended but not required," I've had the pleasure of conducting -quite literally- thousands of admissions interviews. So I sometimes come to these types of posts with a bit of skepticism. That said, when I read this list of 10 "Notes of College Interviewees," I found myself vigorously nodding along to 8 of them. (Numbers 2 & 3 are really a matter of opinion, and they don't happen to be ones I hold.)
In addition to these tips, I'll also share the following - all things I told students and their families during my years in admissions:
In the News: Youth Savings Initiatives Most Effectively Taught By Peers, Financial Panel Concludes
While we're on the subject of financial literacy - and, in particular, how financial literacy may better enable students to access postsecondary education, it might not be a bad idea to take the Economic Awareness Council's findings seriously. Peers may, in fact, be the best educators when it comes to helping youth make smart financial decisions.
"Efforts to transition younger generations' "spend culture" into one focused on saving were highlighted at a Nov.16 listening session sponsored by the President's Advisory Council's Youth Subcommittee, where a panel of Chicago education and business leaders discussed the importance of beginning financial education at an early age, and the challenges schools face integrating life-skill education into curriculum that often revolves around standardized test material."
To read the whole article and learn about an innovative new program in Illinois, head on over to The Huffington Post.
"Efforts to transition younger generations' "spend culture" into one focused on saving were highlighted at a Nov.16 listening session sponsored by the President's Advisory Council's Youth Subcommittee, where a panel of Chicago education and business leaders discussed the importance of beginning financial education at an early age, and the challenges schools face integrating life-skill education into curriculum that often revolves around standardized test material."
To read the whole article and learn about an innovative new program in Illinois, head on over to The Huffington Post.
Making Financial Literacy Fun (Yes! FUN)
If you’ve not yet checked out the US
Department of Education’s website for the College Access Challenge Grant, I’d
encourage you to do so: http://www2.ed.gov/programs/cacg/index.html.
In particular, I’d ask you to take a look at the information found on the
“purpose” page. Here, the DOE identifies several types of projects that
are authorized by the grant. Among them: promote financial literacy and debt management.
Given the recent uptick in articles about student borrowing, now seems as good a time as any to pass along some on-line resources shared by our CACG colleagues around the country. Some of our partner organizations have projects which specifically address
financial literacy and debt management; others don’t. I wanted to pass
along this information to everyone, though, as they come highly recommended as
resources that do engage and teach students about managing money and
saving (for coveted items, for college, and/or for life).
In the News: The other student loan problem - too little debt
"After watching debt cause widespread damage in their families and communities, [some students are] determined to avoid loans no matter what.
"What's surprising is this: Educators aren't sure that's always such a good thing.
"Students who take extreme steps to avoid debt at all costs, they say, may get stuck with something much more financially damaging than moderate student loan debt. They may not wind up with a college degree."
The Associated Press reports that limited borrowing for higher education may actually increase the odds that a student will complete his or her degree. In part, this is due to a greater likelihood that non-borrowers will attend school part-time; only 25% of part-time students earn a bachelor's degree in 8 years, while 60% of their full-time peers do the same. Other factors also play a role, many of which are highlighted in this Education Week article.
What do you think about this? How averse to borrowing are your students and their families? Do you have any resources that have been particularly helpful in assisting them to learn about healthy borrowing? Please feel free to share in the comments!
Read the article in Education Week. (Note: full access to this article may require a free "registration" on the site.)
"What's surprising is this: Educators aren't sure that's always such a good thing.
"Students who take extreme steps to avoid debt at all costs, they say, may get stuck with something much more financially damaging than moderate student loan debt. They may not wind up with a college degree."
The Associated Press reports that limited borrowing for higher education may actually increase the odds that a student will complete his or her degree. In part, this is due to a greater likelihood that non-borrowers will attend school part-time; only 25% of part-time students earn a bachelor's degree in 8 years, while 60% of their full-time peers do the same. Other factors also play a role, many of which are highlighted in this Education Week article.
What do you think about this? How averse to borrowing are your students and their families? Do you have any resources that have been particularly helpful in assisting them to learn about healthy borrowing? Please feel free to share in the comments!
Read the article in Education Week. (Note: full access to this article may require a free "registration" on the site.)
Monday, November 21, 2011
Opportunities Calendar
This is just a quick reminder that the "Opportunities Calendar" tab above links to the CACG calendar, highlighting
If you know of an opportunity that should be listed on the calendar but isn't yet, please email Adrienne.
- Deadlines for student scholarships;
- Due dates for grant applications (for which your school/organization might qualify);
- Open house dates (with links to information and registration pages) for Oregon's colleges and universities, including OUS institutions, community colleges, and independent colleges and universities;
- Workshops for students and families on topics related to college access, financial aid, and scholarships;
- College fairs; and
- Professional development opportunities for you!
If you know of an opportunity that should be listed on the calendar but isn't yet, please email Adrienne.
Cesar E Chavez Leadership Conference - Call for Proposals
This morning I received a Call for Proposals for the César E. Chávez Leadership Conference and have been given permission to pass the call on to you.(Because in addition to believing that some of you might have valuable information to share with students, I also think you might be interested in this opportunity for the students you serve every day - and this is a great way to pass along the information.)
Now in its 22nd year, the conference brings together 1,500 Latino high school students from around the state, providing a full day of leadership development and college preparation activities.Over the course of the day, students participate in workshops, art/poetry/writing contests, hear from keynote speakers, and attend a college fair. The 2012 conference will once again take place at Western Oregon University, on March 9, 2012.
The planning committee is seeking workshop proposals:
Now in its 22nd year, the conference brings together 1,500 Latino high school students from around the state, providing a full day of leadership development and college preparation activities.Over the course of the day, students participate in workshops, art/poetry/writing contests, hear from keynote speakers, and attend a college fair. The 2012 conference will once again take place at Western Oregon University, on March 9, 2012.
The planning committee is seeking workshop proposals:
"Unearthing the Surprises Within a Child's Mind"
A middle school teacher waxes on about how asking students what they're thinking can open us up to a whole new understanding of how they see the world. She suggests that maybe -just maybe- as adults we've forgotten that children don't have all the information necessary to interpret their environments as we might. So she reminds us that it's important to both ask and then listen to their reasoning.
Granted, this essay from The New York Times doesn't even touch on college access (or, for that matter, college), but I'd argue that it's still incredibly relevant. How can we help shepherd students through the process of dreaming about their future without understanding their worldview?
Read Laura Klein's essay for a helpful reminder to stop, ask, and listen. It's all at The New York Times.
Granted, this essay from The New York Times doesn't even touch on college access (or, for that matter, college), but I'd argue that it's still incredibly relevant. How can we help shepherd students through the process of dreaming about their future without understanding their worldview?
Read Laura Klein's essay for a helpful reminder to stop, ask, and listen. It's all at The New York Times.
In the News: College Graduation Rates - Income Really Matters
An article in CNN Money highlights some telling (if not shocking) statistics from a study conducted by a University of Michigan associate professor, Martha Bailey:
- "the difference in graduation rates between the top and bottom income groups has widened by nearly 50% over two decades"
- 54% of students from the wealthiest families obtain a bachelors degree; 9% of students from the poorest families do the same
- of those who enter four year colleges, 2/3 of students from wealthier families complete their degree while only 1/3 of those from poorer families do
"Some 41% of students who come from families in the lowest income ranks move up to the highest two rungs if they get a college degree, according to research from the Pew Economic Mobility Project. But if they don't, only 14% advance that far.
"At the same time, 45% of those without a diploma stay stuck in the lowest tier, while only 16% of their counterparts with a college degree do."
To read the article and discover more reasons to continue doing the work you do, head over to CNN Money.
Friday, November 18, 2011
2011 NSSE Results
Wondering if that last post has any validity? Or if it really matters that middle school students start practicing their study skills now?
Indiana University published the 2011 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) yesterday, and one of the key findings shows that many college students aren't using effective study techniques. Despite the fact that some colleges and universities have begun to teach study skills, the vast majority still assume that students will arrive on their campuses knowing how to study. Not having the skills to hit the ground running can set students back when they arrive on campuses -- so if there was any doubt, YES! now is the time to teach the skills that will set our students up for success.
NSSE surveys over 400,000 undergraduate students on almost 700 campuses nationwide, asking questions about just about every aspect of their college experience, including academics, social life, and extracurricular activities.
Download the results of the survey from NSSE.
Indiana University published the 2011 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) yesterday, and one of the key findings shows that many college students aren't using effective study techniques. Despite the fact that some colleges and universities have begun to teach study skills, the vast majority still assume that students will arrive on their campuses knowing how to study. Not having the skills to hit the ground running can set students back when they arrive on campuses -- so if there was any doubt, YES! now is the time to teach the skills that will set our students up for success.
NSSE surveys over 400,000 undergraduate students on almost 700 campuses nationwide, asking questions about just about every aspect of their college experience, including academics, social life, and extracurricular activities.
Download the results of the survey from NSSE.
In the News: Middle School College Preparation
Many of the 2011 CACG partners work primarily with middle school students, which tells me that we're doing a much better job of recognizing the importance of early outreach and awareness with our 6th-8th graders. There are a variety of ways to help encourage the big dreams and to help students and their families prepare for achieving them. Awareness and raising aspirations are a great start, but what are the things that students can (and should!) be doing now to ensure they are prepared -- not only for high school, but for college as well?
Allen Grove of about.com offers 7 great tips for all middle school students. First up? "Work on good study habits." So, really - let's face it - these are great tips for all students.
To read all 7 tips, head on over to the full article.
Allen Grove of about.com offers 7 great tips for all middle school students. First up? "Work on good study habits." So, really - let's face it - these are great tips for all students.
To read all 7 tips, head on over to the full article.
FAFSA Updates? It's FREE to learn about them!
I've pulled this directly from a message posted to the Public Forum of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. You can join the forum by visiting their website.
Join us for NACAC’s Free December Webinar:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA):
Essentials and Updates
Looking for a quick, convenient way to learn about the
FAFSA? NACAC’s free December Webinar is an excellent resource to pick up
valuable information about federal student aid – all from the comfort
of your home, office or school computer! Gather your students, colleagues or family
members and join us as we present:
FAFSA: Essentials and
Updates
Date: Wednesday, December 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern/1:00 p.m. Central/12:00 p.m. Mountain/11:00 a.m. Pacific
Cost: FREE
Learn more and register.
Date: Wednesday, December 7
Duration: 60 minutes
Time: 2:00 p.m. Eastern/1:00 p.m. Central/12:00 p.m. Mountain/11:00 a.m. Pacific
Cost: FREE
Learn more and register.
Target Audience
This Webinar is intended for school counselors, college admission professionals, students, families, and anyone else seeking to learn more about the process of applying for federal student aid.
This Webinar is intended for school counselors, college admission professionals, students, families, and anyone else seeking to learn more about the process of applying for federal student aid.
About this Webinar
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
In the News: Dual Enrollment a Popular Option
Okay, it's true - this article specifically refers to the growing popularity of dual enrollment options in Arizona, but that doesn't mean it's not relevant to Oregonians. In fact, dual enrollment has been a cornerstone of some CACG projects in both 2010 and 2011.
Oregon students earned hundreds of college credits at Chemeketa and Lane Community Colleges through dual enrollment programs funded by CACG in 2010. McMinnville High School students will continue to take courses at Chemeketa with help from CACG funding in 2011.
"Through dual enrollment, or concurrent enrollment as it is called in other parts of the country, high school students earn credits toward a diploma, as well as college credit through a local college or university. ... 'Dual enrollment is seen as one of the best strategies for increasing college retention. They're better prepared because they have those credits. It gives them momentum to complete college,' [Anderson] said. 'Many of the dual enrollment courses could be termed honors or Advanced Placement-type courses,' Kemp said. But a larger number of students are also enrolling because of the career and technical education course offerings, he said."
Read the article at Education Week, or learn more about CACG partner organizations who utilize dual enrollment on our Partners Page.
Oregon students earned hundreds of college credits at Chemeketa and Lane Community Colleges through dual enrollment programs funded by CACG in 2010. McMinnville High School students will continue to take courses at Chemeketa with help from CACG funding in 2011.
"Through dual enrollment, or concurrent enrollment as it is called in other parts of the country, high school students earn credits toward a diploma, as well as college credit through a local college or university. ... 'Dual enrollment is seen as one of the best strategies for increasing college retention. They're better prepared because they have those credits. It gives them momentum to complete college,' [Anderson] said. 'Many of the dual enrollment courses could be termed honors or Advanced Placement-type courses,' Kemp said. But a larger number of students are also enrolling because of the career and technical education course offerings, he said."
Read the article at Education Week, or learn more about CACG partner organizations who utilize dual enrollment on our Partners Page.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
In the News: Occupy Student Loans
The past several weeks have upped the ante on talk about the student loan default rates. Frightening headlines ask if education debt will be the next bubble to burst (see, for example, "Price of Admission: America's College Debt Crisis" and "Nope, Just Debt"). The issue is one that doesn't seem to be going away. In fact, Inside Higher Ed suggests there is a growing outcry:
"Since the original Occupy Wall Street protest began Sept. 17, student loans have become a rallying point. Occupy DC protested outside the main office of Sallie Mae, the student loan giant, blocking the entrances to the building and posting signs equating student debt with slavery. An Occupy Boston march demonstrated outside Bank of America and the Harvard Club, chanting 'Not just for the rich and white, education is a right,' the Associated Press reported.
Student loan debt had been growing for decades without becoming a major public concern. The recession, which has led to a spike in loan default rates and caused many underemployed graduates to feel their degrees were not worth the money, has been a tipping point in public opinion, says Anya Kamenetz, the author of Generation Debt."
Read the whole article on Inside Higher Ed.
"Since the original Occupy Wall Street protest began Sept. 17, student loans have become a rallying point. Occupy DC protested outside the main office of Sallie Mae, the student loan giant, blocking the entrances to the building and posting signs equating student debt with slavery. An Occupy Boston march demonstrated outside Bank of America and the Harvard Club, chanting 'Not just for the rich and white, education is a right,' the Associated Press reported.
Student loan debt had been growing for decades without becoming a major public concern. The recession, which has led to a spike in loan default rates and caused many underemployed graduates to feel their degrees were not worth the money, has been a tipping point in public opinion, says Anya Kamenetz, the author of Generation Debt."
Read the whole article on Inside Higher Ed.
In the News: Demand for Jobs that Require High School Diploma Declines
"For all the talk of the value of a college degree, there are decent
jobs for those with just a high school diploma. The problem is there are
not enough of those jobs to go around, according to a report released
yesterday by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
"The report, Career Clusters: Forecasting Demand for High School Through College Jobs, 2008-2018, produced in collaboration with the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education and the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education, analyzes 16 career areas and compares educational requirements and pay."
To read the full article, head on over to the College Bound blog.
"The report, Career Clusters: Forecasting Demand for High School Through College Jobs, 2008-2018, produced in collaboration with the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education and the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education, analyzes 16 career areas and compares educational requirements and pay."
To read the full article, head on over to the College Bound blog.
In the News: It's Time to STEM the Loss of Science and Engineering Students
"President Barack Obama and the Jobs Council announced earlier this year
an 'all-hands-on-deck strategy to train 10,000 new American engineers
every year' -- with private-sector companies teaming up with government
to help 'promote STEM education, to offer students incentives to finish
those degrees, and then to help universities fund those programs.'
Generating home-grown engineers and scientists is crucial to ensuring
our nation's leadership in the technological innovations that have
fueled our economy for decades -- and to employing Americans in related
industries."
If this is truly to become our goal, then surely we must do a better job of preparing our science-minded students to enter STEM fields. Some of Oregon's CACG partners are working specifically on this issue, but all college access practitioners work with at least some students who are naturally curious about how the world works or who get excited just thinking about setting up an experiment in their basement. That means we've all got to be paying attention to best practices in assisting these students in reaching their college dream.
If this is truly to become our goal, then surely we must do a better job of preparing our science-minded students to enter STEM fields. Some of Oregon's CACG partners are working specifically on this issue, but all college access practitioners work with at least some students who are naturally curious about how the world works or who get excited just thinking about setting up an experiment in their basement. That means we've all got to be paying attention to best practices in assisting these students in reaching their college dream.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Students who do cool things: Lives of the Undocumented
I continue to be amazed by the really neat things students do, and I'm especially impressed when they put it out for the whole world to see. Today, I'm in awe of a group of undocumented students who use video to offer a glimpse into their lives.
The reality of life in Oregon (and - really, throughout the country) today is that many of us who support students in reaching their educational goals will necessarily be working with some who are undocumented. Assisting them in figuring out how to pay for college is a huge hurdle, but for these students, sometimes it's the mundane that really impacts the way they live their lives. Dreamers Adrift is comprised of a group of undocumented youth who are using art to show how the passage of the DREAM Act could impact their lives. Their latest project is a series of videos about the sometimes awkward moments they encounter.
The second video in the series depicts a particularly awkward encounter between two high school classmates, several years after graduation. Both have earned college degrees, but only one can legally put that degree to use:
To see more videos made by these youth, visit the Dreamers Adrift website.
Do you know of any real cool things that youth are doing to share their experiences with education? Please feel free to share in the comments.
The reality of life in Oregon (and - really, throughout the country) today is that many of us who support students in reaching their educational goals will necessarily be working with some who are undocumented. Assisting them in figuring out how to pay for college is a huge hurdle, but for these students, sometimes it's the mundane that really impacts the way they live their lives. Dreamers Adrift is comprised of a group of undocumented youth who are using art to show how the passage of the DREAM Act could impact their lives. Their latest project is a series of videos about the sometimes awkward moments they encounter.
The second video in the series depicts a particularly awkward encounter between two high school classmates, several years after graduation. Both have earned college degrees, but only one can legally put that degree to use:
To see more videos made by these youth, visit the Dreamers Adrift website.
Do you know of any real cool things that youth are doing to share their experiences with education? Please feel free to share in the comments.
Friday, November 11, 2011
In the News: College Is Cheaper Than You Think
"The College Board released its annual report on the cost of college last week, and guess what? It’s going up. Again. Cue the headlines ...
"What has been buried in much of the resulting coverage is that while colleges’ published tuition and fees have indeed increased, these so-called “sticker prices” are not all that informative. For the average full-time student, net tuition – which subtracts grants and tax-based aid – is less than half of the published price at private nonprofit four-year schools and less than a third of the published price at the typical public four-year institution."
Read more about the cost of college at the New York Times.
"What has been buried in much of the resulting coverage is that while colleges’ published tuition and fees have indeed increased, these so-called “sticker prices” are not all that informative. For the average full-time student, net tuition – which subtracts grants and tax-based aid – is less than half of the published price at private nonprofit four-year schools and less than a third of the published price at the typical public four-year institution."
Read more about the cost of college at the New York Times.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
In the News: Hard Decisions for Learning Disabled
"Should a student who has struggled with A.D.H.D. or dyslexia disclose it when applying to college?"
"Once the decision is made to tell, the question remains: where and how?"
"How does one go about assembling a list of colleges known to provide supportive environments?"
These questions, as well as several others about the special circumstances surrounding the college search and application process for students with disabilities, have been the focus of a week-long series on The New York Times' college blog "The Choice." The series, which wraps up tomorrow features Marybeth Kravets' answers to readers' questions. Ms. Kravets has recently co-authored a guidebook about colleges for students with learning disabilities.
While the series offers some great insight into the topic of the college search, it doesn't quite delve into how to assist students with disabilities as they make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. Thankfully, we're pretty lucky here in Oregon, since one of our very own CACG recipients has been making great headway in their quest to help students (and their parents and counselors) make that transition. Incight's second year of funding will allow them to expand their reach to more communities throughout the state - offering a product/service that hasn't been seen elsewhere. Way to go, Incight!
Read the kickoff article for the series and then head on over to the 5 part Q&A on The Choice Blog. Then, learn about how Incight is addressing this issue in Oregon by visiting our Partners page.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
FAQ: What's the likelihood we'll be funded again next year?
I won't lie - this is one of the most common questions asked of me and the other CACG staff members. It's also one of the most difficult to answer.
The short answer is ...
We don't have a reliable way to predict the likelihood of future funding for any current (or, for that matter, past or future) sub-grantees.
The longer explanation for our inability to provide a concrete answer goes something like this...
The short answer is ...
We don't have a reliable way to predict the likelihood of future funding for any current (or, for that matter, past or future) sub-grantees.
The longer explanation for our inability to provide a concrete answer goes something like this...
In the News: Non-Traditional Educational Paths of GED Recipients
"A new study
by Yale assistant professor Vida Maralani examined differences in
college enrollment patterns between GED earners and traditional high
school graduates ... This study provides a
better understanding of the variety of educational paths that
non-traditional students take. GED earners exited the traditional
secondary education path before completion but initiated re-entry later
in life. The pattern of delayed entry was observed in postsecondary
education paths as well. These patterns highlight the need for special
support systems for GED recipients who face additional challenges that
come with age (like work and family responsibilities) but still aspire
to enter higher education."
The 2011 CACG recipients include no less than 4 organizations that assist youth in completing their GED and transitioning into postsecondary education - offering some of those "special support systems." Way to go Outside In, New Avenues for Youth, Pathfinders of Oregon, and Portland OIC - you're ahead of the curve!
Read the Admitted blog for more information about this study. Visit the "Partners" page of this blog to learn more about the CACG recipients who are pioneering this work in Oregon.
The 2011 CACG recipients include no less than 4 organizations that assist youth in completing their GED and transitioning into postsecondary education - offering some of those "special support systems." Way to go Outside In, New Avenues for Youth, Pathfinders of Oregon, and Portland OIC - you're ahead of the curve!
Read the Admitted blog for more information about this study. Visit the "Partners" page of this blog to learn more about the CACG recipients who are pioneering this work in Oregon.
Brochure: Colleges and Universities Serving Underrepresented Students
On Monday morning I volunteered in the "Counseling Center" at the Portland National College Fair. I talked with students and families who were, in many cases, attending their first college fair. With over 300 colleges represented, it was big and bold ... and maybe even a little overwhelming. But in addition to being a fantastic opportunity to help them successfully navigate the fair, staffing the counselor's table also clued me in to a new resource being offered by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC sponsors the national fair every year).
I spent 8 years in college admissions before joining the CACG team, and my role always included coordinating my employers' multicultural recruitment efforts. So believe me when I tell you - I've searched for a comprehensive list (with contact information!) of our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). And believe me even further when I tell you that I have never been successful in locating such a resource. Until now! NACAC now publishes a brochure that lists every single one of these institutions by state, with a web address. The best part? The 8-page "Colleges and Universities Serving Underrepresented Students" is a free pdf.
Find more great -and FREE- resources about the college search, application, and selection process at NACAC's "Information for Parents and Students" page.
I spent 8 years in college admissions before joining the CACG team, and my role always included coordinating my employers' multicultural recruitment efforts. So believe me when I tell you - I've searched for a comprehensive list (with contact information!) of our nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). And believe me even further when I tell you that I have never been successful in locating such a resource. Until now! NACAC now publishes a brochure that lists every single one of these institutions by state, with a web address. The best part? The 8-page "Colleges and Universities Serving Underrepresented Students" is a free pdf.
Find more great -and FREE- resources about the college search, application, and selection process at NACAC's "Information for Parents and Students" page.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
In the News: Gov. John Kitzhaber, Oregon education leaders push for more college graduates by 2025
"Oregon has staked its education and economic future on a goal called
40-40-20, and top education leaders gathered in Corvallis this week to
consider how they are going to reach it.
The goal declares that by 2025, Oregon will ensure that:
The goal declares that by 2025, Oregon will ensure that:
- 40 percent of adults will have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
- 40 percent of adults will have earned an associate degree or post-secondary credential.
- 20 percent of adults will have earned a high school diploma, modified high school diploma or the equivalent of a high school diploma."
In the News: Best College Majors for a Career
As you get to know me, you'll discover that I'm a proponent of "education for education's sake" and promoting a love of learning. As such, I don't necessarily believe that students should choose a college major simply because it will help them to get a job or because they think it will enable them to earn a lot of money one day.
That said, I do believe that students should be armed with as much information as possible as they think about their futures. And I do love interactive charts. This one produced by the Wall Street Journal contains a healthy amount of information about the current state of economic affairs for a laundry list of college majors.
Some interesting things of note, taken from data collected in the 2010 census:
Major with the highest average salary: Petroleum engineering
Major with the highest unemployment rate: Clinical psychology
Most popular major: Business administration and management (with 6% unemployment rate)
Majors with a 0% unemployment rate: Actuarial science, pharmacology, educational administration & supervision, school student counseling, geological & geophysical engineering, and astronomy & astrophysics (all of which are among the least popular majors)
To check your favorite major -or to discover some you didn't know existed!- visit the Wall Street Journal.
That said, I do believe that students should be armed with as much information as possible as they think about their futures. And I do love interactive charts. This one produced by the Wall Street Journal contains a healthy amount of information about the current state of economic affairs for a laundry list of college majors.
Some interesting things of note, taken from data collected in the 2010 census:
Major with the highest average salary: Petroleum engineering
Major with the highest unemployment rate: Clinical psychology
Most popular major: Business administration and management (with 6% unemployment rate)
Majors with a 0% unemployment rate: Actuarial science, pharmacology, educational administration & supervision, school student counseling, geological & geophysical engineering, and astronomy & astrophysics (all of which are among the least popular majors)
To check your favorite major -or to discover some you didn't know existed!- visit the Wall Street Journal.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
In the News: College Students' Loan Debt Continues to Rise
As we work to bring more students into the post-secondary pipeline, financing education continues to be at the forefront of our minds. Larry Abramson describes the current landscape for education loan indebtedness on NPR's Morning Edition:
"Students are borrowing more money to pay for college than ever before. New data show that students who graduated in 2010 carried 5 percent more debt than in the previous year. And education debt is expect to grow in the coming years, as students struggle to pay higher tuition costs."
Listen to the segment or read the transcript on NPR.
"Students are borrowing more money to pay for college than ever before. New data show that students who graduated in 2010 carried 5 percent more debt than in the previous year. And education debt is expect to grow in the coming years, as students struggle to pay higher tuition costs."
Listen to the segment or read the transcript on NPR.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Portland Goes to College Week
Portland mayor, Sam Adams, has officially declared October 31 - November 6, 2011, "Portland Goes to College" week. A week of activities to assist students on their path to college will be capped by Portland's National College Fair.
The fair, sponsored by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, is the largest in the state. Admissions representatives from over 275 colleges and universities in 43 states and 5 foreign countries will be on hand to answer your questions. You don't want to miss this!
When?
Sunday, November 6th - 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday, November 7th - 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where?
Oregon Convention Center, Hall D
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
The Multnomah County Library is getting in on Portland College Week Action with this tweet:
The fair, sponsored by the National Association for College Admissions Counseling, is the largest in the state. Admissions representatives from over 275 colleges and universities in 43 states and 5 foreign countries will be on hand to answer your questions. You don't want to miss this!
When?
Sunday, November 6th - 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Monday, November 7th - 9:00am - 12:00pm
Where?
Oregon Convention Center, Hall D
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
The Multnomah County Library is getting in on Portland College Week Action with this tweet:
"It’s "Portland Goes to College Week"! Here’s some resources to help you pick a school and then get in: http://ow.ly/78YE1" Check out this list of over 100 books to help with the college search!
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