In the News: Supreme Court to Hear Case on Affirmative Action in College Admissions

From The Chronicle of Higher Education's "Ticker" column:

"The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on the constitutionality of affirmative action in higher education for the first time in nearly a decade. In an announcement moments ago, the court said it would accept an appeal in a much-watched case in which a white student denied admission to the University of Texas at Austin is challenging the university’s race-conscious admission policy. The university had urged the court not to hear the appeal. Critics of affirmative action see the case as an opportunity to reverse the court’s 2003 rulings that allowed limited use of racial preferences. Arguments in the case, Abigail N. Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin et al., No. 11-345, are likely to be heard this fall. The Chronicle will have more coverage of this news later today."

This will be bigger news come October, when the Court is expected to hear the case. Find more information in a longer article with greater detail about the case and why it matters in The New York Times.

In the News: Vermont Pushes to Get More Students to College

I think it's helpful to sometimes take a step outside of our own state and learn about what others are doing to ensure that students are able to achieve their dreams. An article in Education Week features one strategy that some Vermont schools are using to achieve their state's goal of ensuring that 60% of their denizens have a college degree by 2019. (If 60% sounds like a lot, remember that Oregon's goal is a full 80% by 2025!)

Per the article, 

"At 15, Terri-Ann Zweeres is getting a glimpse of what it takes to go to college.
While other teens are in study hall, she and about 14 other Bellows Free Academy High School students take a class every three days at Community College of Vermont called introduction to college studies that's intended to prepare them to go on to higher education."

This strategy should look familiar to some of you - it's akin to a few of Oregon's CACG-funded projects, past and present. In fact, McMinnville's project has already been spotlighted in this blog - if you haven't had a chance to read about the success they're having, I encourage you to do so now.

To learn more about what's happening in Vermont, head on over to Education Week. Please note: you may need to be a registered user to access the full article. Registering is free and shouldn't clog your inbox with unwanted messages.

In the News: What's Behind the Rise of College Tuition?

There's been quite a bit of talk lately about President Obama's speech at the University of Michigan in which he suggested it might be time tie federal student aid to universities' ability to keep tuition costs down. NPR's "Weekend Edition" was among those news programs to jump into the conversation.



Listen to the story via the player above, or read the transcripts at NPR.org.

In the News: Ability to Benefit

Breaking news from an Inside Higher Ed columnist:

"I’m told that community colleges will lose the option to admit students on an “ability to benefit” basis as of July 1."

The Ability to Benefit test allows students who have neither a high school diploma nor a GED to take a skills test to determine whether or not they have the "ability to benefit" from higher education. Passing the test enables them to qualify for admission AND to be eligible for federal financial aid assistance.


I'm not entirely certain how much this potential new policy will impact the majority of our CACG members, but it certainly could impact how effectively our state will be able to reach the 40/40/20 goal.

Read more about the test and the possible new rules at Inside Higher Ed. Then, please share your thoughts in the comments - will this impact your organization and/or the students you serve? If so, how?

In the News: Is Financial Aid Really Making College More Expensive?

"Financial aid, whether it's a cheap loan, a work-study job at the campus library, or a grant, is supposed to make college more affordable and accessible for students. But what if, by handing money out to undergrads, the government is simply encouraging schools to spend more and jack up tuition?"

Jordan Weissmann asks -and attempts to answer- this very question. Read what he has to say in The Atlantic.

In the News: PBS' "Need to Know"

The PBS series "Need to Know" recently took on the issue of student debt. Each of the following clips shares one side of issue.

First, an interview with Anya Kamentez, author of DIY U and the blog "The Narrow Bridge: Generation Debt and Other Writings."

Watch Anya Kamenetz on the 'Debt Generation' on PBS. See more from Need to Know.

And then, an "economics lesson," in which we learn how student debt is growing, that consumer protections on student loan debt aren't comparable to the protections on other types of debt, and the story of how one graduate is working to solve some of those problems:

Watch Economics Lesson on PBS. See more from Need to Know.

(As with all articles, videos, and podcasts posted to the CACG blog, we share these for information purposes - to offer some national perspective on the issues of the day.)

Reviewing First Period Reports

It has been my great pleasure to review the first period reports from CACG recipients. I am humbled by the work you do on behalf of Oregon's youth, and I never feel that I can thank you enough for enabling them to achieve their dreams. Today, I'd like to share a bit of what I've learned about the work you've accomplished in the first few months of the grant. I hope these tidbits remind you that you are not alone, that you have colleagues around the state working toward the same vision.

As you know, I'd read all of your grant proposals several times and talked with each of you by phone before reviewing your reports. And still, I continue to be amazed both by the similarities within your projects and very real differences. The 2011-2012 College Access Challenge Grant funds schools, districts, colleges, universities, and nonprofit community-based organizations. It funds classroom-based projects and summer experiences. It funds programs for homeless youth and parenting teens. It funds culturally specific projects and projects for students with a particular interest in the sciences. It funds field trips, scholarships, and professional development. In short, it funds opportunity. If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to take a few minutes to review the list of 21 CACG recipients and read the brief abstracts for each project. The sheer breadth and depth of activity will blow you away.

In the News: Obama Proposes Job Training at Community College

"President Obama unveiled his fiscal 2013 budget at Northern Virginia Community College Monday. His proposal includes $8 billion for community colleges to partner with businesses to provide training in job skills that are in demand. Students there were pleased to hear the president call for more support for their type of school."

Listen to the story on NPR's Morning Edition or read about it in The New York Times.

Resources from CACG Partners

We'll continue to scour the internet, national organizations, and others for helpful resources, but we think it's important to recognize the great work being done right here in our community. And I don't just mean in Oregon - I mean from CACG recipients, specifically.

Take, for example, Incight's videos and podcasts. Their YouTube channel was the top channel for videos related to "disabilities and college," and it's a top 10 rated YouTube channel for general video searches on disabilities.

Incight's mission is "to cause the success of education, employment, networking, and independence for people with disabilities." As a two-year recipient of the College Access Challenge Grant, Incight has been a primary player in ensuring postsecondary access for students with disabilities.

You can find all the available episodes via their YouTube channel or website, but you can get some great advice on self-advocacy from a recent college graduate right now:



If your organization has developed any helpful resources that you'd like to share, please do so in the comments - or send Adrienne an email with the information.

#AskFAFSA Office Hours

"With many schools’ FAFSA deadlines quickly approaching, FAFSA season is heating up. [Several days ago], Under Secretary of Education Martha Kanter took to Twitter to answer some pressing questions students & parents had about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid."

Check out the questions -and Ms. Kanter's responses- on Twitter. (No need to have an account to read the responses, but if you do have an account and want to follow, it's @FAFSA.)

You can also see a few screen grabs of the Q&A on the USDOE's blog.

In the News: Why Access Matters

The American Association of Community Colleges recently published a brief on the importance of public 2-year institutions. They state,

Community colleges are open access and do not, with the rare exception, build a student body. As this brief points out, the open door philosophy not only benefits students attending community colleges, but also benefits other sectors of higher education. Unfortunately, other members of the higher education community may not appreciate this role that community colleges play.

"While enrollments continue to increase, there is the concern, among some, that a focus on completion has the potential to influence just who is allowed to take advantage of educational opportunities. In policy conversations, especially those concerned with policies related to access and choice, there is a silent movement to redirect educational opportunity to “deserving” students. This brief highlights some actions that can be taken to ensure that access is not deteriorated.

 Read the Executive Summary or download the full brief.

International Book Giving Day

Again and again, research has shown that students who read independently (and out of school) have greater academic success than those who don't. And academically successful students are more likely to graduate from high school and go on to postsecondary educational options.

And we're all in the business of helping kids achieve their postsecondary dreams, so I think this brand-new international holiday, invented by a woman and her 6 year old son, is the perfect holiday for all of us in college access to celebrate. Don't you?



That's right! International Book Giving Day is coming up! Help celebrate on February 14th by giving a book to a kid. The organizers of this great world-wide event have teamed up with nonprofits and authors from around the world to ensure that children have books in their hands on this day - and, really, every day.

Check out their website, where you can learn more, see videos of the Book Bus and biblioburro, share your ideas for celebrating the holiday - and download one of three bookplates drawn by children's book illustrators specifically to celebrate International Book Giving Day.

Okay - the biblioburro is too fantastic not to share here...

Biblioburro from Humanwire on Vimeo.

Question of the Week - 2/9/12

How do you involve youth in building a college-going culture in your organization, school, or community?

Be the "expert next door" - share your thoughts in the comments so that your colleagues around the state can benefit from your experience.

In the News: 20 Facts You Didn't Know...

... about college freshman.

Think you know about college students? In a previous post, I shared some insights from the Higher Education Research Institute's most recent study of first-year students on our nation's college and university campuses. They'd gleaned some newsworthy ideas about what factors lead to college completion. But this isn't a dainty report, so we can find all manner of interesting information.

Today, take a gander at some of these facts -- how many of them did you already know? Which come as a surprise? How does this impact the work you do with students? Should it?

1. More than half of college freshman attend school 100 or fewer miles from home.
2. Just over a third attend college 50 or fewer miles from home.
3. And less than 15% head off to campuses at a distance of greater than 500 miles from their parents'.
4. More than 3/4 of college freshman say that they are attending their top choice school.
5. About 25% say they will need tutoring in math.
6. More than a quarter of students feel overwhelmed by their workload.

Read 14 more facts about college freshman at CBSNews.com.

Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) Guides

According to their website, "Educators for Fair Consideration’s mission is to support undocumented students in realizing their academic and career goals and actively contributing to society. Since 2006, we have offered scholar­ships, legal services, career internships, and a peer network for undocumented stu­dents in the San Francisco Bay Area. We also lead presentations and create education­al materials to raise awareness about the needs of undocumented students nationwide."

As part of their work, they have developed some downloadable guides intended to help undocumented students (and the adults who work with them) navigate the path to higher education. Because they are based in California, their materials are California-centric. But that doesn't mean they don't offer great advice, support, and resources for students nationwide.

For example, their "Financial Aid Guide for College-Bound Undocumented Students" includes some practical tips for applying for scholarships:

1. Find as many scholarships as possible (along with some clues as to how to do so)
2. Apply to every single scholarship you can
3. Answer questions clearly and directly
4. Be very explicit in talking about your story

Plus many more!

And they offer a list of thirteen sample questions that students or their mentors should ask of financial aid staff at private colleges, including

NACAC Knowledge Center Open House

For a limited time only, the National Association for College Admission Counseling has opened parts of their "Knowledge Center" to everyone who works with students on their path to postsecondary education. The Knowledge Center is always available to NACAC members, but for now - I encourage you to check these out as soon as possible and download any materials you find especially helpful:


From NACAC's website:

 2012 Knowledge Center Open House 

Welcome to the 2012 Knowledge Center Open House! In celebration of National School Counseling Week, NACAC is inviting all counselors inside the Knowledge Center. The following resources have been unlocked and are available for anyone to download: 
Communicating with Colleges and Using Social Media: Social media has transformed the way students communicate with colleges. This guide is used at a San Diego (CA) high school to help students strategically interact with colleges. 

Northwestern Orientation Guide: College counselors requested materials from colleges that detail their orientation activities, and the Knowledge Center delivered. This guide from Northwestern University can be used to give students a peak at what kinds of events and programs await them at the postsecondary level. NACAC members will find many other similar guides in the Knowledge Center.    
Advising Undocumented Students: After assisting numerous undocumented students in Texas and California, an independent counselor compiled a list of what she found were the most frequently asked questions coming from this student population.  
Essay Brainstorm: This essay writing tool submitted by a college counselor in Vermont helps students find a place to begin in an admission process that can be overwhelming.    
Contact NACAC for information on how you can gain full access to the Knowledge Center and other college counseling resources.

Program Spotlight: NAYA

College Access Challenge Grants have long-lasting impacts! The Native American Youth and Family Center received funds in the 2010-2011 granting cycle that aided the opening of their new College and Career Center. Read on for an update from their College and Career Coordinator, Tamara Henderson.

 

The Native American Youth and Family Center announced the grand opening of the College and Career Center on January 6, 2012! 

Pennants, banners, and informational posters adorn
the walls of the new NAYA College and Career Center

Our youth will now have access to laptops and computers; books and research materials on everything from careers to college entrance test preparation materials; as well as one-on-one mentors and staff support. We not only want to give our youth important tools to pursue their aspirations, but also create and foster a college going culture.

Alma Franco (Yakima/Colville), Early College Academy 2011 graduate, once remarked, “I never really saw myself as college material, but with everyone asking about my plans after graduation and telling me that I had it in me to go to college, I knew it was possible."

Today, Alma is a Portland State University diversity enrichment scholar, pursuing a degree in psychology and Native American studies. Students like Alma helped us to recognize the growing demand for a college and career center.

"I would plan to accomplish things during College Nights because I knew that I would have a lot of resources there. College Nights have been really helpful and I hope that they continue."

The College and Career Center will provide ongoing College Nights, workshops for parents and students, Financial Aid Nights and assistance with applying for admissions and scholarships.

There's plenty of room  and lots of resources for students to spread out and research their college and career options

Learn more about the NAYA Family Center. To learn more about the College and Career Center or about how to become a mentor, please contact Tamara Henderson at (503) 288-8177 ext. 296 or via email at tamarah@nayapdx.org.

In the News: What Are Common Mistakes on the FAFSA?

"For many families of college-bound students, the financial aid application can be just as important as the admissions application. This week, our experts weigh in on the mistakes that students make every year on the financial aid application. It might just save you thousands of dollars! Heather Pierre of Lancaster, Pa., asks:
Q: What are the most common mistakes students make on the financial aid application?"


And U.S. News and World Report has called upon college counselors and college access practitioners to tell us about those common mistakes - and how to avoid them.

Read their advice - and then share it with students!

Register Now! OrCAN 2012 Symposium

The Oregon College Access Network has opened registration for its annual symposium. On March 15th, join college access practitioners from around the state to hear from Ben Cannon, the Governor's education adviser, and to discuss what the 40/40/20 legislation means to you.

Register now for

Oregon College Access 2012: Uniting toward Oregon’s Goal 

In an effort to engage as many college access partners as possible, OrCAN will host a central event in Albany, and broadcast the plenary sessions out to several satellite locations throughout the state. As a result, participants will be joining one another not just in Albany, but also in Hermiston, Klamath Falls, Bend, Coos Bay, and Brookings. It promises to be a veritable feast of networking and learning.

The day's schedule includes a keynote address from Ben Cannon, affinity group discussions about how we'll all be addressing 40/40/20 in our day-to-day working lives, a plenary on intrinsic motivation, breakout sessions, and a student panel, as well as plenty of time for networking with others who do this very important work.

Free to OrCAN members, this exciting professional development and networking opportunity is open to all other interested parties for the very reasonable cost of just $10 per person.

In the interest of full disclosure, please note that both your CACG Program Manager Adrienne & the OUS Director of College Access Programs Stephanie are on the OrCAN Board of Directors.

In the News: PSU and PCC Change Co-Enrollment Agreement

Definition Co-enrollment: programs allow students to concurrently enroll ("co-enroll") at both a university and a community college while receiving financial aid for their combined enrollment at both institutions. Other benefits may include access to library services and academic advising at both institutions.

Portland State University offers co-enrollment with 6 local community colleges; its agreement with Portland Community College has recently changed.

Find out more about the benefits of co-enrollment as well as the changes in PSU's student newspaper, The Vanguard.

In the News: Is College Not For Poor Kids?

After receiving responses to a series of articles he wrote about the about the first "I Have a Dream" class, Washington Post education columnist Jay Mathews "consulted several experts in preparing a list of what does work for [impoverished] students." He shared the top five tips with readers:

1. Work hard on academic skills in elementary, middle, and high school.
2. Build their characters.
3. Pick the college that works best for them.
4. Develop a sound financial plan.
5. Find college programs that can help them through rough spots.

Read the article for more details on these tips. Then share your best tip in the comments.

In the News: Women's Colleges

Current research indicates that only 3-4% of high school girls consider attending an all-women's college. Research also shows that graduates of women's colleges comprise a significant minority among female members of Congress, high ranking women in business, and female PhDs. (Read more about this at CollegeToolKit.com.)

Do you work with girls who might benefit from attending a woman's college? Consider these comments from the president of Smith College - you might be surprised!


There are more than 40 women's colleges and universities around the world. Check out a few of them and consider sharing the information with your girls.

In the News: One Man's Journey from Gang Member to Academia

This isn't strictly about college access, but it's a great reminder that all kids can succeed, that one dedicated individual can help them do so, and that there are no lost causes.

If you're looking for some inspiration - and a reminder of why you do what you do - take the time to watch this video.



And if you'd like to read more about the major players, head on over to the PBS Newshour website.

Program Spotlight: McMinnville

We're pleased to present the first in our series of Program Spotlights for 2011-2012 grant recipients. Thanks to Jill Long from McMinnville School District for bravely stepping up to submit the first article.

McMinnville High School: Increasing Postsecondary Enrollment
through Dual High School/College Credit Program

McMinnville High School (MHS) has an expansive dual high school/college credit program, College Credit Now, which is at the foundation of our Early College Project, funded by the CACG grant.  MHS partners with Chemeketa Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, and Portland Community College to offer over seventy College Credit Now courses, in addition to extensive Advanced Placement course offerings.  Through College Credit Now (CCN), students can begin building a college transcript while in high school, starting as early as 9^th grade.  Last year, MHS students earned 4,593 college credits through the CCN program, resulting in a cost-savings to families of over $280,000.  In fact, 46% of our 2011 graduating class started a college transcript while in high school.

CCN courses are offered on our high school campus, during the regular school day, and taught by MHS teachers who are dually accredited through the community college partner.  The curriculum for each CCN course offered at MHS is fully aligned with, and as rigorous as, that which is offered on a college campus.  There is a student registration and transcript fee of $30 for each CCN course; however, our CACG grant enables us to provide scholarships to low-income students.

In the News: Want to Get Into College? Learn to Fail

That sounds a little crazy, right? The idea that learning to fail can actually help students on their path to higher education? And yet, an opinion piece from Angel B. Pérez, who is the vice president and dean of admission and financial aid at Pitzer College in Claremont, CA, encourages students to do just that. Among other things, Mr. Pérez writes,

Colleges respond to culture shifts, and admission officers are digging deeper to find out who students really are outside of their trophies, medals, and test scores. We get the most excited when we read an application that seems real. It's so rare to hear stories of defeat and triumph that when we do, we cheer. If their perspectives are of lessons learned or challenges overcome, these applicants tend to jump to the top of the heap at highly selective colleges. We believe an error in high school should not define the rest of your life, but how you respond could shape you forever.

I'm willing to bet that each of you knows students who've overcome challenges or made some mistakes. When we're working with first generation college students, low-income students, students of color, or others who have historically been underrepresented on college campuses, it can be difficult to convince them that their challenges or mistakes won't preclude them from achieving their dreams. And yet - here's the dean of one of the country's most selective liberal arts colleges saying, essentially, "Please! You don't need to be perfect!" And when it's true on his campus, it's also true on so many others.

Read all of Mr. Pérez' article in Education Week and then be sure to share it with the youth you serve. It's a nice reminder that postsecondary options are available for everyone, even especially the imperfect among us.

Supporting Students in Foster Care or Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

Check out these new resources, designed to assist adults who work with students in foster care or who are homeless:

The Casey Family Programs offer free booklets for download or order on Effective Financial Aid Assistance. They've also made a power point presentation available - it's worth a look!

In addition, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth publishes three toolkits, each designed for different audiences: high school counselors & McKinney-Vento liaisons, shelters & service providers, and college & university financial aid administrators.