NACAC 2016 Columbus_Using Mentors and Advisors_9_23_2016_1

F5: Using Mentors and Advisors to Increase College Access Services Dr Anita Perry, Fort Worth Independent School District, TX Dr Stacy Burrell, Fort Worth Independent School District, TX Tonni Grant, Fort Worth Independent School District, TX Dr Carla Amaro-Jimenez, University of Texas Arlington, TX Melondy Doddy, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth TX FWISD Student Profile 19 traditional and specialized high schools Total Enrollment • Economically Disadvantaged • English Language Learner • Gifted & Talented 84,360 77.2% 30.6% 7.5% District Demographics: • African American • Hispanic • White/Anglo • Asian/Pacific Islander • Native American 22.7% 62.8% 11% 2% 0.2% *As reported by the 2014-2015 Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) FWISD GO Centers GO Centers are resource rooms that exposes students to the vast array of post-secondary opportunities Services Provided:  College Admission Awareness  College Application Assistance  Financial Aid Application Assistance  Financial Aid Advising  Career Exploration  Scholarship Assistance  College Advising  College Campus Visits and Tours  Academic Advising GO Centers Activities by Grade Level 9th – 10th graders spend time:  exploring career options  researching colleges and training opportunities  learning how to adequately prepare for college and workforce during their high school years  strengthening writing skills for future essays and application narratives  researching and applying for scholarships 11th and 12th graders spend time:  getting ready for life after high school by preparing for the SAT/ACT tests  researching and applying for scholarships  researching and applying for specific colleges and training programs  applying for financial aid FWISD GO Centers Usage FWISD Scholarship Amounts Awarded FWISD Scholarship Amounts Awarded 60000000 50000000 40000000 30000000 20000000 10000000 Amount 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 College & Career Readiness Coach  Promote post-secondary opportunities to every student!  Full-time employees of FWISD  187 contracted days; earn additional pay for summer employment  Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred  Do not have to be certified teacher or counselor (attract professionals from other disciplines such as student personnel, social work, and family sciences)  Work at the school location; may have flexible schedule to accommodate before and after school activities  Support school counselors and other student support professionals UTA G-Force Peer Mentors University of Texas Arlington (UTA) and FWISD • • • • Partnership that has evolved over time and includes various efforts (e.g., college access, teacher training) Emphasis on meeting ACTUAL needs vs PERCEIVED needs Making different stakeholders a critical part of the design, implementation, and evaluation of services provided Making the most out of what REALLY WORKS UTA G-Force Peer Mentors • • • • • • • Maintain records of all students who attend the GO Center Help students register for the SAT and ACT Inform and help students with college and scholarship applications, resumes, and essays Explore different academic programs and schools Assist students with financial aid forms such as FAFSA/TAFSA Guide students with the application process Answer questions pertaining to college life and organizations Our Team MISSION STATEMENT TCU College Advising Corps works to increase the number of low-income, first-generation college, and underrepresented high school students who enter and complete higher education Our Model Near-peer college advisers serve full-time in high schools Research-based, “college match and fit” strategy Open-door, whole school (non-cohort) approach No cost to students and families Serve students through partnership Anchored at and co-invested by postsecondary institutions Our program serves all 13 traditional high schools in Fort Worth ISD Presence & Impact Our Students Are: 110% more likely to attend a financial aid workshop 77% more likely to take an ACT; 33% more likely to take the SAT 45% more likely to apply to six or more institutions 68% more likely to be admitted to multiple institutions 39% more likely to receive a federal grant for postsecondary study GO Center Promotion https://www.facebook.com/FWISD-Go-Centers1634465083496878/videos Lessons Learned From Partnerships • • • • • • • • • • Shared vision with realistic outcomes Constant communication Connect school and district systems with higher education partners systems Transparency in programming objectives Flexibility and adjustments Understanding all assessment and evaluation outcomes Collaborate on programming opportunities Align pre-existing resources to leverage new ideas- DO NOT DUPLICATE Establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), if applicable Be creative and innovative Strategies for Implementation  K-12 Level  Joint professional development and training  Seamless transition of GO Center staff working with students (collaborations)  Higher Education level  Universities/Colleges establishing a collegiate peer mentoring program like G-Force  All levels  Implement a process to evaluate program success and outcomes  Establish a collective impact focused on college and career readiness with key stakeholders Strategic Opportunities for Collaborations             College Colors Day – September 2, 2016 Education Go Get It / GenTX Week – September 12 – 16, 2016 College Night – September 19, 2016 Counselor Fall Update – ACT / SAT – September 30, 2016 Financial Aid Help Sessions (October – April) College Application Drive – November, 2016 NACAC Essentials Professional Development – February 3, 2017 Hispanic College Fair – February 16, 2017 College Signing Day – May 5, 2017 MS College & Career Expo – May 18, 2017 College Application Bootcamp – June 14-15, 2017 Summer Link Program – (June – Aug) QUESTIONS? FWISD GO Centers Contact Information  Dr Anita Perry, Director of Academic Advisement , FWISD anita.perry@fwisd.org  Dr Stacy Burrell, Director of Grants Compliance & Monitoring, FWISD stacy.burrell@fwisd.org  Tonni Grant, M.Ed., Coordinator of Academic Advisement, FWISD  tonni.grant@fwisd.org  Melondy Doddy, M Ed., Assistant Director, TCU College Advising Corps, m.doddy@tcu.edu  Dr Carla Amaro-Jimenez, Assistant Professor of Bilingual/ESL Education & Director of Pathways to College Access and Career Readiness, Dept of Curriculum & Instruction, University of Texas at Arlington, amaro@uta.edu ... students register for the SAT and ACT Inform and help students with college and scholarship applications, resumes, and essays Explore different academic programs and schools Assist students with... for college and workforce during their high school years  strengthening writing skills for future essays and application narratives  researching and applying for scholarships 11th and 12th graders... communication Connect school and district systems with higher education partners systems Transparency in programming objectives Flexibility and adjustments Understanding all assessment and evaluation outcomes