Agenda

Key Reasons for ALCAC

Increase # of 1st Generation & Low- income Students pursuing Post- Secondary Education.

Assist HS Seniors with the College Admissions Process.

Ensure each Senior submits at least 1 Admissions Application to College.

Encourage HS Seniors to Apply to College early in their senior year.

Plan 2020 VisionEvery Child A Graduate

Every Child Prepared for College/Work/Adulthood in the 21st Century

Presidential Proclamation THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary_______________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release October 31, 2014

NATIONAL COLLEGE APPLICATION MONTH, 2014 - - - - - - -

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

With hard work and determination, a great education should be within everyone's reach. At the heart of America's promise is the belief that we all deserve an equal opportunity to get ahead, and today more than ever -- as we face greater global competition in a knowledge-based economy -- a college degree is the surest path to a stable, middle-class life. During National College Application Month, we come together to encourage all students to take control of their own destiny by applying to continue their education beyond high school and to let them know that no matter where they come from or who they are -- it does not matter if they are the first in their family to apply to college or if they have been told that they are simply not college material -- there is an opportunity for them.

This fall, high school seniors across our Nation are making the decision to invest in their future by earning a post-secondary degree or credential, and as they navigate the college admissions process, my Administration is dedicated to supporting them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. To help more families afford a college degree, we have expanded grants, tax credits, and loans and invested in programs that help students manage and reduce the burdens of debt after they graduate. We created the College Scorecard to make it easier for students and families to compare colleges and find ones that are well-suited to their needs. And to help students better understand the costs of college and more easily compare aid packages offered by different institutions, we developed the Financial Aid Shopping Sheet. To access these and other resources -- including College Navigator and a tool that helps determine the net price of any given college -- Americans can go to www.WhiteHouse.gov/ReachHigher.

Applying to college is hard work, but it is only the beginning of a journey that requires persistence and focus. A college degree unlocks pathways to opportunity; it prepares today's students for the jobs of the future and is a requirement for the educated workforce and informed citizenry our country needs to create growth, bolster our economy, and strengthen our democracy. That is why as a Nation, we

must lift up our students, help them achieve their greatest potential, and work together toward an important goal: to lead the world in college completion.

This month, we celebrate the limitless possibility within every child. We honor the teachers, school counselors, and parents who help students apply to college. We recognize the institutions that are taking steps to ensure they reach the best and brightest students, regardless of their background, and all those who ensure the next generation is prepared for success, including businesses who open their doors to interns and the alumni, foundations, and faith-based organizations that provide scholarships. Let us remind all students that it is never too early to start planning for their future or reaching for their dreams.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2014 as National College Application Month. I call upon public officials, educators, parents, students, and all Americans to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs designed to encourage students to make plans for and apply to college.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-ninth.

BARACK OBAMA # # #

Alabama ResolutionRESOLUTION PROCLAIMING

NOVEMBER 3-7, 2014, ASALABAMA COLLEGE APPLICATION

WEEK 

WHEREAS, all students must have an opportunity to reach their full potential and to realize their lifelong aspirations; and

 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates 90

percent of our nation’s upcoming 21st Century careers will require employees to have postsecondary experience; and

 WHEREAS, the college application process may be a barrier

that could keep some high school students from pursuing postsecondary education—because of an absence of information or support; and

 WHEREAS, obtaining a postsecondary degree is linked to

higher income, better health, and even increased community involvement; and

 WHEREAS, to celebrate Alabama College Application Week

special activities, official proclamation ceremonies, and other events have been planned statewide; and

WHEREAS, only 31 percent of Alabama’s working population (between the ages of 25-64) currently have an Associate’s degree; and

 

 

WHEREAS, if this current trend continues, it is estimated that only about 38 percent of adults in Alabama will hold a college degree in 2025; and

WHEREAS, this year all of Alabama’s local high schools will be participating in this event, which is focused on preparing students for the exciting opportunities of the 21st Century; and

WHEREAS, the Alabama College Application Week initiative is designed to increase the number of students that are applying to and ultimately enrolling in college with a particular focus on first-generation and low-income students; and

 WHEREAS, the Alabama College Application Week

initiative is particularly focused on assisting first-generation and low-income students; and

WHEREAS, in Plan 2020 a Prepared Graduate is partially defined as possessing the knowledge and skills needed to enroll and succeed in credit-bearing, first-year courses at a two- or four-year college, trade school, and technical school without the need for remediation; and

WHEREAS, in the Class of 2013, 22,815 students in Alabama applied for financial aid services and completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and

 WHEREAS, this celebration will also highlight the

importance of the “college and career readiness” concept, which focuses on creating a seamless transition between students leaving high school, entering college, and moving into the workforce; and

 

WHEREAS, the State Superintendent of Education recommends approval:

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the

Alabama State Board of Education does hereby proclaim November 3-7, 2014, as Alabama College Application Week and encourages local boards of education, schools, business professionals, and local educational organizations to participate in this celebration through activities that demonstrate the importance of Alabama’s students achieving their aspirations of academic excellence and personal achievement.

60% of Americans will hold high quality degrees and credentials by

2025 ~ Lumina Foundation

2013 Pilot Schools

~Etowah High School - Attalla City

Walker High School – Jasper City

Citronelle High School - Mobile County

Carroll High School - Ozark City

Pell City High School- Pell City

Francis Marion High School - Perry

County

Pickens County High School - Pickens

County

Calera High School- Shelby County

Sylacauga High School – Sylacauga

City

Northside High School - Tuscaloosa

County

Etowah pushes college enrollment

Sometimes a student going to college is as simple as someone helping them to apply.” (J.

Watts, 2010)

Parent volunteer Amelia Peterson helps senior Courtland Harris fill out an application

The Basics………. Schools

Responsibilities?Host event during the school day

Focuses on first-generation students

Event occurs in the fall (November 2-6) on day(s) during that week

 Utilizes existing networks and infrastructure

Requires collaboration (K-12/Higher Education)

Promotes College Going Culture

Uses school personnel and volunteers-low cost

Collect data on # students participating & # of applications submitted to Colleges & Universities

GOALS

Share information and build awarenesss

Provide individualized advising

Assist with application completion

Engage parents and community

Make decisions and plan ahead

American College

Application Campaign

(ACAC)

2005-2015

North Carolina was the first state to implement College Application Week

South Carolina joined ACAC

Colorado, Florida & West Virginia joined

ACAC

Kentucky, Minnesota & Michigan joined ACAC

Arizona, Iowa, Montana, Oklahoma,

Oregon, and Washington joined

ACAC

Alabama joined the ACAC

2013

All 50 States have joined the ACAC

2014 & 2015

Preparing your

School, Students

and Volunteers for

The College Application

Campaign Event

November 2-6, 2015

Site Coordinator Manual

www.alcareerinfo.org

Site Coordinator Checklist

ALCAC Week

Pre-event Activities

Communication

It is important that your school communicate this opportunity to

Students

Families

Community

Volunteers

ALCAC

Program Implementation

Resources

Building a College-Going Culture

ACIN book mark - book marks will be provided for all students participating in the ALCAC program. students will use the www.alcareerinfo.org web portal to complete the college application process. Please give each participating student a book mark prior to your school’s event.

Building a College-Going Culture

Event Poster

Building a College-Going Culture

Ask me about My School

Staff Buttons

Building a College-Going Culture

Student Button“I applied to College”

Building a College-Going Culture

BannerWas available for pilot schools

only. The banners may be purchased at a minimum fee from

local vendors.

Building a College-Going Culture

Alabama Colleges & Universities Map

Map available at www.alcareerinfo.org Assist students in the registration process. Provides information on all colleges and universities in the state of Alabama. The map is located under the Career Planning tab on the website. Please review the map on the web portal with your students prior to your event.

Building a College-Going Culture

School Teams

Building a College-Going Culture

Class Assignments

Building a College-Going Culture

Window displays

Building a College-Going Culture

Students’ Acceptance Wall/Boards

Building a College-Going Culture

Door Decorating Events

Building a College-Going Culture

Staff T- Shirt /Sweat Shirt Day

Students: Research OptionsCollege Navigator

Students Complete College

Application Worksheet

The Day of your College

Application EventHold the eventKeep Records:

Who and how many students applied?

How many applications were submitted?

How many students registered for a FAFSA pin?Keep a record of who volunteered and their contact information

Hand out the “What Next” sheet

Activities

Ask Me! Button, Badges, Stickers (pg 30)

Volunteer Tasks (pg 31)

Student Instructions on Day of Event (pg 32)

College Application Sign-Out Sheet (pg33)

Reminders and Recognition(pg 34)

Next Steps Handout (pg 35)

AfterThe College Application

Campaign Event•Submit the requested data to the state coordinator

•The sign-in sheet with names of students participated in your school’s event.

•The number of seniors who applied to college during your school’s event.

•The number of college applications submitted during your school’s event.

•Communicate the program’s impact with the local media. .

•Thank your volunteers.

•Follow-up with school team to share your success!

Student Sign-Out Sheet

Implement school-wide activities to

build awareness and enthusiasm

•Morning announcements

•Guest speakers

•Parent/student nights

•Engage the

underclassmen in

school’s college

application

campaign event

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

What?

Greet Students

Answer Questions

Review Applications

Manage Sign-in Sheets

Fill printer with paper

Hand out Papers

Serve as Motivational Role Model

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

Who?

College Admissions representatives

Financial Aid Officers

College Advising Corps Members

College Access Professional

Retired Teachers

Local Business Leaders

Political Leaders

Parents

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

How?

Newsletters

Presentations at meetings of local nonprofits

PSAs

Letters from the Principal and/or School Counselors

Personal Contacts

Recruiting and Preparing Volunteers

Spring/Summer /Fall 2015 

•Print /review the site coordinator manual

•Register your high school for participation in the ALCAC

• Encourage students to research colleges and universities

•Make sure students are aware of the ALCAC program

•Add ALCAC to your school’s master calendar

•Reserve the computer facilities for your event.

•Recruit volunteers to assist with your event

•Create a schedule for volunteers

ALCAC

Highlights

2013 ALCAC Schools

10 Pilot High Schools

1538 Seniors Represented those HS

1173 Seniors Applied to College

1803 Applications were Submitted to

250 Colleges and Universities

Nationwide

2014 ALCAC Schools

216 High schools/sites hosted events Statewide

20,384 Seniors Applied to College

28,251 Seniors Representing the 216 High Schools

31,460 College Applications were submitted to Colleges & Universities

Over 33 HS received 100% participation in ALCAC .

Questions?????????

Contact informationWillietta Ellis ConnerState Department of

EducationEducation Specialist

334-353-1607

wconner@alsde.edu