President Obama’s commitment to low and middle-income students was evident during his State of the Union address Tuesday night.  His appeal to the nation included a bold plan to lower the cost of community college attendance to “zero”.  This plan, first announced on January 8^th, strives to make the first two years of community college free for students of any age who earn a “C+” average, attend school at least halftime, and are making “steady progress” toward degree completion.  This program would be available at community colleges with academic programs designed to transfer to public four-year colleges and universities.

The President’s proposal comes at a time when state higher education funding is at its lowest levels in recent history.  The enduring degradation of per pupil spending is evidenced by College Board’s 2014 Trends in College Pricing report.  Such state spending policy is having the greatest effect on low and middle-income students who can least afford higher education fee and tuition increases.  Since 1985 the inflated-adjusted sticker price of tuition and fees at public two-year community colleges has risen 250%.  As such, President Obama’s plan stands in opposition of this ongoing and problematic trend in higher education.

Interview with Hajra Saeed, GEAR UP Site Contact at Hudson Middle School

By Mary Unverferth

What motivated you to volunteer to be the GEAR UP Site Contact at Hudson?

I have always been interested in seeing students grow to their full potential, no matter what their circumstances.  Many middle school students at Hudson never visualized themselves as ever attending college, so when my principal, Cathleen Imbroane, told us about GEAR UP coming to our school, I was very excited.  She asked me if I would like to be the site contact and I accepted because I knew that the goals of GEAR UP were important for our students and that we have a great staff that would jump on board to create a college-going culture at Hudson.

As the Site Contact you have assumed a leadership role with fellow Leadership Team members as well as the faculty and staff.  What has stood out to you as highlights of serving in this role and being the GEAR UP champion/cheerleader at Hudson?

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that a college-going culture is not just accidentally created by good people working together.  GEAR UP has taught me that a conscientious effort must be made on a consistent basis to instill the confidence in our students that they have the ability to pursue a post-secondary education.  As a team, we first created a plan to change the mindset of our staff using professional development articles provided by GEAR UP.  Then, we moved on to creating activities for students and parents that would foster the culture we were trying to cultivate.  100% of our middle school teachers participate in the activities with their classes, even though the activities sometimes may interfere with their regular classroom schedules.  I am extremely grateful to have a staff that is both cooperative and enthusiastic.  Another highlight is that more parents are attending workshops, and are thus better informed about how to help their children in school.  We are fortunate to be a K-8 school and can begin fostering the college mindset from a young age.  Having parents attend the PIQE and CEP workshops doesn’t just help the individual students, but empowers entire families.

What has been a challenge that you have encountered as Site Contact and how did you tackle it?

During our Institute in 2014, our Leadership Team discussed that even after 3 years, many staff members still do not really know what GEAR UP was doing at our school.  They were aware that we had a GEAR UP Week in September and that we organized the March Spirit Week every year.  Beyond that they did not have any clear understanding.  So, our Leadership Team worked on a document that listed all of the activities at our school that serve as outreach to parents and help to create a college-going culture.  Then, our facilitator Heather Mills shared that information with each individual middle school department (Humanities, Tech Core, Spanish, Art) at their planning meetings.  Now that they have actually seen everything that GEAR UP does at our school on paper, they have a greater sense of pride as a GEAR UP school and a better understanding of why GEAR UP is so important.

How has participating in California GEAR UP contributed to the college going culture at Hudson?

I am so excited with how much Hudson has changed over the last few years! Students are much more knowledgeable about post-secondary education and they all feel it is within their reach.  During morning announcements, they proudly announce their future major and the college they wish to attend.  They participate competitively in the GEAR UP activities from door contests to college and career fashion shows.  More students wear college gear on Fridays as well.  Before, there were just college pennants hanging up in the classrooms, but now students are able to articulate their future plans and discuss pathways to reach their personal goals.  They also look forward to planned activities, because now that they have participated for the last two years, new traditions have been created at our school.  Students on campus are already buzzing about how they are going to outdo the other classrooms in the college fashion show in February or how they can make their classroom door the best door for the competition.

Teachers also participate more and more enthusiastically in competitions every year.  We have created new traditions at our school, and now teachers are asking in advance about activities planned for spirit week.  For March Madness this year, our teachers have already chosen their colleges, and many of them are already planning for and organizing materials for the door contest that is two months away because they want to have the best door!

And finally, entire families have become empowered.  Parents see that their children have plans beyond high school and they want to learn more about how to facilitate in their children’s education to allow their dreams to materialize.

By giving us planning time to change the culture of our school, GEAR UP has helped us make great changes.  Without the extra time and resources, many of these plans would be difficult to develop and get started.  Also, the professional development offered by GEAR UP has helped the Leadership Team transform Hudson into a college-going culture.

What instructional practices or other activities have been enhanced as a result of team (or personal) learning at Institutes, Forums or other GEAR UP events?

Being an International Baccalaureate school, our staff has always had extra time set aside for collaboration.  However, when we read the articles at the Institutes, we were given tools to change the norms at our school.  Our collaborative norms have changed at our school and our teachers have become better communicators during planning time.  Also, our lunchtime and spirit activities have become more meaningful and worthwhile to staff and students because of GEAR UP Institutes and Forums.  When we attend those events, we have opportunities to learn about what other schools are doing to create a college-going culture.  We have gained fresh, new ideas to incorporate into our existing activities at Hudson.

How do you see your work in the role impacting you personally?

I have learned a lot in this role as site contact.  It has taught me how to effectively work with staff members to create a change in culture.  Also, having the parent component as part of GEAR UP has taught me more strategies on how to engage parents in their children’s learning.  I always look forward to the GEAR UP Leadership Team meetings and trainings because I know that my time will be well spent.  Our team works so well together, and knowing that my time is not wasted on something that doesn’t work makes me look forward to GEAR UP activities.  It gives me sense of purpose beyond just the classroom curriculum guides and pacing charts.

What is the Leadership Team doing to ensure the sustainability of the GEAR UP mindset at Hudson?

Our Leadership Team has strong representatives from each school stakeholder.  They are effective in going back to the groups they represent and sharing information.  Since all staff members participate in GEAR UP activities, there is a greater possibility of sustainability of a college-going culture.  Now that we have college-going activities and traditions in place, the school culture has changed.  These activities will continue to drive the school forward toward its vision of success for all.  This past year our site created a California Junior Scholarship Federation (CJSF) chapter.  This will also perpetuate the GEAR UP mindset because students are aware that their membership in this prestigious organization is something they can add on to their college applications.  So, they are not just talking about college and making plans, but also taking steps to create an academic resume for college applications.

Do you have anything else you would like to add?

I just want to say that I feel so blessed for having such an amazing Leadership Team.  My principal Cathleen Imbroane supports everything we do, and without her we wouldn’t have been able to make the shifts that we have made.  Our facilitator and parent Heather Mills, Language Arts Teacher Alisia Ono, Math Teacher Anastasia Hubbard, and our Counselor Ross Morinaga are always enthusiastic team players.  And on a final note, we could not have asked for a better coach, Mary Unverferth.  She works so hard to guide and coordinate our team’s efforts.  It is a true pleasure to work with them towards creating a college-going culture!  Hudson is a wonderful school and it is an honor to be a part of it.  Go Hawks!

California GEAR UP: Academic Excellence and College Access for All Students Support for The California DREAM Loan Act

California kicked off the New Year with a bang by continuing its efforts to fight for student rights and equality for all students!  On January 1st 2015 The California DREAM Loan Act took effect.  One of the 900 plus laws to take effect on January 1st, the bill directs the University of California and California State University to create a loan program for “undocumented” students who have financial need but lack access to federal or private student loans.

SB 1210 introduced by Democratic state Senator Ricardo Lara in April 2014:

“We invest in California students from an early age and many of them have done what we’ve asked them to do: work hard, study and pursue a higher education,” said Lara. “If we’re serious about strengthening our economy then we must remove obstacles for our future workforce when they’re close to the graduation finish line. Continuing to invest in our future and ensuring that all students have access to the funding resources they need to succeed should be a top priority.”

SB 1210 would make available $9.2 million for University of California and California State University campuses to administer loans to students who are in the country illegally. These students, who are ineligible for federal financial aid and most private loans, often face a gap in funding their education – an estimated $5,000 to $6,000 at UC and $3,000 at CSU, according to Lara’s office.  “This bill will grow our college-educated workforce and make good on the promise that a college degree is possible for all hard-working California students, regardless of immigration status,” Lara said in a prepared statement.

The program is projected to cost UC about $3.6 million per year and CSU $1.5 million per year. This low-interest loan program is expected to attract up to 3,000 borrowers in its first year, beginning in the 2015-16 academic year. Student loan borrowers would begin repaying the loans at least six months after graduation.

Jerry Brown signed the bill on September 27 making the law official.  California has already taken several steps to make college more affordable for undocumented students, including extending in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants who graduate from California high schools and making them eligible to apply for Cal Grant scholarships under the Dream Act.

When it was introduced in April, UC President Janet Napolitano praised SB 1210 for seeking to put undocumented students on equal footing with their peers. “They have done everything right,” she said at the time. “It’s about opportunity and it’s about fairness.”

The 2015 NCCEP/GEAR UP Capacity-Building Workshop will take place February 8-11, 2015 at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in historic and vibrant Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The NCCEP/GEAR UP Capacity-Building Workshop is a distinctly different learning opportunity from the NCCEP/GEAR UP Annual Conference. The CBW is where grantees roll up their sleeves and have extended conversations with their peers about how to advance the cause of college access.

The daily learning tracks are designed to provide information, practical tips, and tools that you and your GEAR UP team can incorporate into your current projects. Networking opportunities allow you to connect with GEAR UP professionals from other projects to share ways to strengthen your GEAR UP programming. Roundtables are offered as another venue to explore ideas with colleagues in a smaller, informal setting.Our colleagues at the U.S. Department of Education will also provide additional training for all current grantees.

• Interact with and learn from top experts and experienced GEAR UP professionals in hands-on workshop tracks highlighting high-priority issues in the field, innovative programs, leading research, and practical tools and strategies.
• Engage in invaluable peer-to-peer learning and networking opportunities.

Click here to access the Advance Program, which includes a detailed overview of the 2015 CBW, information about the schedule and content for each workshop, and speaker bios.  (The Advance Program will be updated on an on-going basis. Check back on this site to get the most up-to-date detailed program for the CBW.)

Click here to register today!

The 2015 CBW workshop tracks are as follows: The Directors’ Network, GEAR UP 101, Parent Engagement, Evaluation Showcase, Grant Management, Advancing College Readiness, Strategies for First-Year Post-Secondary Success, The Coordinators’ Catalyst Network, Helping Students Earn College Credit in High School, and Closing Gaps in STEM Learning and Careers.  The CBW will also has five general sessions and several sessions of roundtable discussions.

Staff contacts for the 2015 CBW: Suzan Shimko, Director of Conferences, and John Donaldson, National Director for Training and Technical Assistance.

After reviewing the CBW program and deciding what workshops you plan to attend, you can begin the online registration process. To access the registration form for mail/fax, click here.

####

In the fall of 2013, the California Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) convened school teams from 48 middle schools serving predominantly low-income students in three locations to learn more about academic rigor and the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). With the help of representatives from College Board — a program partner — participants viewed a model English Language Arts (ELA) lesson that is aligned to CCSS and practiced using instructional strategies that engage students across all curriculum areas.

In the spring and fall of 2014, the California GEAR UP Program offered a variety of interactive, participatory workshops in mathematics and English/Language Arts to representatives from all 48 participating GEAR UP middle schools. Sessions were led by expert educators focused on the implementation of the Common Core State Standards from a social justice and educational equity perspective.

Building on these CCSS activities, the California GEAR UP Program is in the second year of a pilot program with selected middle schools that are using the College Board Pre-Advanced Placement (Pre-AP) Programs in mathematics and English/Language Arts. The Program provides staffing and funding for this quality professional development opportunity for teachers with SpringBoard trainers. This pilot is aligned with the program goal of building capacity at the school site and positively influences the ways in which teachers instruct to meet the individualized and differentiated manner in which students learn.

Ann Carnes, Professional Development Manager, California GEAR UP

SpringBoard by CollegeBoard and California GEAR UP Partnership

SpringBoard® is the foundational component for the College Board’s College Readiness System, offering a proven Pre-AP program that increases participation and prepares a greater diversity of students for success in AP, college and beyond – without remediation. Based on College Board Standards for College Success and aligned to the Common Core State Standards, SpringBoard offers the only integrated college readiness solution that includes a rigorous curriculum, formative assessments and sustainable professional development.

SpringBoard workshops attended by ELA and Mathematics teachers from our pilot SpringBoard schools (King, Foothill, and Jones) last week as part of their SpringBoard professional development plan.  Both sessions were highly professional and effective in their content and delivery.

2014 ELA Scoring Student Work

 On November 12, 2014, nineteen teachers from Charles D. Jones Junior High School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, and Foothill Middle School came together to learn to collaborate productively to examine student work and determine next steps for instruction. They followed a common protocol for examining, scoring, and discussing actual student writing that the teachers brought to the session and were empowered to form conclusions and make plans to differentiate instruction, focus planning, and adjust pacing to propel students forward. Teachers gained an understanding of how to use Scoring Guides to score student work and effective protocols to support ongoing professional collaboration around how to use student data to inform instruction. Susie Lowry, a national SpringBoard Lead Trainer, effectively facilitated this session.

Focus Question: How can common scoring of student work promote student achievement?

This SpringBoard workshop was highly successful, as expressed during conversations throughout the day and the closing reflections. The trainer, who traveled from Florida to be with the group, had a high level of experience and expertise. She was impressed with the teachers’ level of engagement, their content knowledge, and their collaborative spirit.  They all worked together very intently in grade level groups and exchanged contact information with each other from the three different schools represented.

2014 Mathematics Content Seminar

On November 13, 2014, thirteen teachers from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, and Foothill Middle School came together to learn more about implementing the new SpringBoard Pre-AP mathematics program aligned with the Common Core State Standards. This seminar provided an intensive study of a single course or middle grade level by examining closely the content, skills, pedagogy and assessments of the instructional units within a SpringBoard level. Through interactive modeling, teachers gained a deeper understanding of how to plan and deliver lessons using strategic instructional practices to support student learning that is aligned to the expectations of the Common Core State Standards. Tammy Buckshi, a national SpringBoard Lead Trainer and expert in mathematics instruction, facilitated the successful session.

The workshop was well received by the participants, as expressed during conversations throughout the day and the closing reflections. There was a noticeable positive increase in teacher engagement among some of the first-year implementers who seemed reluctant in the beginning. The trainer, who traveled from North Carolina to be with the group, had the pulse of the group at all times and was adept at adjusting activities and keeping participants’ attention.

The Springboard ELA workshop conducted at King on November 12th gave our teachers an excellent opportunity to receive much needed professional development around effective strategies to score student writing. The session was designed to show teachers how to score student work in grade-level groups, so they can apply the process to examine and score Embedded Assessments in grade-level meetings throughout the school year. 

 

In this era of teachers’ transitioning to teaching the Common Core State Standards, there is a targeted focus on students attaining the skills necessary to be successful in college and careers so the training was timely and effective. Teachers first received modeling of how they should score student writing, then practical strategies to provide students effective feedback.

 

By conducting the training in a collaborative setting, teachers were able to support each other’s learning. The trainer was especially skilled at dispelling some of the misconceptions of writing and some of the mistakes we have made in teaching writing like overemphasizing mechanics. 

 

Teachers walked a way with practical strategies and a system for collaborating over the teaching and learning of writing skills. Our students will greatly benefit from having teachers who have the skill-set to calibrate scores, identify writing models to serve as scoring guides, and provide feedback that will improve students ability to have highly organized, content rich writing experiences.

Shinay Bowman-Instructional Specialist, King Middle School

Shelley Davis, Robyn Fisher, and Sharon Twitty attend the convening.

California GEAR UP Sponsors White House Convening at San Diego State University: November 17-18, 2014

In partnership with the White House’s College Opportunity Agenda and the First Lady’s Reach Higher Initiative, California GEARUP and San Diego State University (SDSU) hosted a gathering of committed leaders and commitment makers focused on creating and implementing measurable action plans for improving school counseling preparation, programs, and practices with the goal of increasing college access for all students.  The White House Convening was held on November 17-18, 2014 on the campus of San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.  Teams from 33 States participated in this important event and produced action plans to support the Reach Higher Initiative.  The convening was coordinated under the leadership of Trish Hatch and Laura Owen of the SDSU School Counseling Program.

Members of the California State Team:

• Penny Edgert, Executive Director, California Education Round Table, Intersegmental Coordinating Committee
• Shelley Davis, Director, California GEAR UP
• Robyn Fisher, President/CEO, R. T. Fisher Educational Enterprises, Inc.
• Jorge Aguilar, Associate Vice Chancellor for Educational and Community Partnerships, UC Merced
• Erin Dowdy, Associate Professor, Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology, UC Santa Barbara
• Harvey Hoyo, Program Lead, School Counseling, National University-Costa Mesa Campus
• Mia Keeley, Program Analyst, Admissions and Student Success, Office of the Chancellor, California Community Colleges
• Julie Mendoza, Research and Evaluation Director, Alliance for Regional Collaboration to Heighten Educational Success (ARCHES)
• Lisa Reimers, Education Program Consultant, College Preparation and Postsecondary Programs Office, California Department of Education
• Sharon Twitty, Project Director, SLOPE i3 Grant

Several historic milestones have proceeded this west coast event, including:

• In January 2014, the White House sponsored a Summit during which President Barack Obama called for “an ambitious new agenda aimed at improving college value, removing barriers to innovation and competition, and ensuring that student debt remains affordable.”
• Following this Summit, First Lady Michelle Obama continued the call for action through the Reach Higher initiative which aims to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university
• In May 2014, senior White House staff convened a listening and learning session on school counseling with experts from higher education, nonprofit, and professional organizations. This session examined the challenges and opportunities for school counselors to support students’ college aspirations.
• On July 28, 2014 a special White House convening at Harvard University focused on maximizing school counselors’ impact and influence on college enrollment. Attendees were encouraged to inventory existing partnerships, and create new commitments that require establishing collaborative relationships with local school districts, higher education institutions, college access groups, and non-profit organizations with a specific charge to increase college opportunity for all students.

The purpose, and specific focus, for the SDSU “invitation only” convening of committed leaders and commitment makers is to support those taking steps necessary to create systemic change within the school counseling profession in several specific areas:

• Designing, changing, revising the School Counselor preparation at Higher Ed to ensure certain non-negotiable preparation standards for school counselors (SC) in College and Career Readiness (CCR)
• Developing, improving, and sustaining partnerships between university training programs and K-12 school districts to ensure appropriate field site placements and activities during fieldwork training and training for site supervisors and administrators with new school counselor requirements in CCR during placement
• Supporting and ensuring professional development in districts for existing SC in CCR and ensuring collaborative scaffold roles partnering with college access partners
• Creating policies, practices and procedures for hiring and placement of SC prepared to work in CCR
• Providing opportunities to create strategic partnerships with donors and funders interested in supporting any or all of this work supporting and promoting new systemic change models and excellence in implementation and outcomes for SC, and the students we serve

####

Presidential Proclamation National College Application Month

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

####

CALIFORNIA GEAR UP “Round-Up” in Riverside, CA

Developed to meet the diverse and complex needs of California GEAR UP middle schools, the 2014 Regional Leadership Events provided a forum for school teams to problem solve together and learn from each other about school practices, challenges and solutions.  The events were facilitated by Whole School Services Coaches with content designed to respond to the needs of each unique middle school community. Activities were customized to engage and support participating schools within each region aligned with target areas of growth identified in the School Self Assessment Rubric.

Goals of the Regional Leadership Events:

• Develop and expand working, cohesive school teams;
• Share and reflect on leadership and approaches for developing leadership;
• Network to share smart practices and opportunities for continued regional work;
• Reflect on progress in building a sustainable college-going culture using the SSAR;
• Use data to identify and address challenges to access and equity for All students;
• Develop implementation plans for of GEAR UP partner resources and services;
• Complete the PDAP and Communication Plan.

 The North State Regional Collaborative hosted at the Tehama County Department of Education in Red Bluff offered leadership teams from GEAR UP middle schools and their feeder high schools a unique opportunity for vertical teaming and articulation.  Participants gained a renewed sense of, and commitment to, vertical teaming as a successful strategy to improve student achievement and access to multiple educational pathways. This event offers great promise for the future of the region as many school practitioners had been operating in isolation without direct interaction and planning with their lower and upper grade counterparts.

 Brad Trimble-California GEAR UP School Services Coach

Big takeaways: The exchange of ideas, events, projects, etc. as a result of the “reflecting on the past” exercise has been mentioned a number of times.  One (GEAR UP) site contact returned to school and, using her notes, immediately drafted a memo of implementation listing ideas to share with the rest of her staff.  The group-alike breakout sessions gave teachers, administrators, counselors and out of classroom advisers a chance to share job specific experiences in building a college-going culture.  The regional event provided an opportunity for participants to work collaboratively and function as a learning community.

 Jon Sides-California GEAR UP School Services Coach

Low-income students often have the greatest need for opportunities to make sense of their world and develop intellectual autonomy.  Without these experiences it can be challenging for them to articulate their needs and views.  Accordingly, it was a pleasure working alongside educators as part of GEAR UP’s early college access program so that we can rally around this common goal.  They were passionate about this need for equity and work hard every day to make it happen.

 Robert Kaplinsky-Featured Speaker

The mission of California GEAR UP is to develop and sustain the organizational capacity of middle schools to prepare all students for high school and higher education through a statewide network of support for adults who influence middle school students, specifically their counselors, faculty, school leaders and families. As a result of this expanded capacity, a higher proportion of students, particularly from backgrounds and communities that have not historically pursued a college education, will enroll and succeed in higher education. California GEAR UP is a program of the University of California Office of The President Education Partnerships department and has served whole school communities across the state since 1999.

Learn more on the California GEAR UP website and follow on Twitter and Facebook.

####

CCGI’s mobile app, College Guide, is available on the Apple and Google Play App Stores.

College Guide provides high school students (10th, 11th, and 12th), their parents, and their counselors with:

• A project management tool to navigate and track all the important goals
  related to college and financial aid planning.
• A thorough task list that users can mark as completed, add to their calendar, and share via social networks.
• Push notifications about key deadlines and important tips in the college planning and application process.
• Links to relevant web resources both on the CaliforniaColleges.edu portal and beyond.

How students can use College Guide:

• Use “My Tasks” to view tasks chronologically. Review and complete college and financial aid planning tasks in order of what is due next!
• Watch your progress by category using “My Progress.” The progress bar keeps you on track!
• Customize which tasks you see on your task list by updating your college aspirations in “Settings.”
• Access online resources either on CaliforniaColleges.edu or other trusted websites.
• Share deadlines and tips with your friends via Facebook and Twitter.

How parents can use College Guide:

• Use the app with the user profile “Parents” and get messaging specific to you!
• Support your students’ efforts by reviewing and completing college and financial aid planning tasks!
• Receive messaging for multiple grade levels if you have more than one child in high school.
• Access online resources either on CaliforniaColleges.edu or other trusted websites.
• Use the “Glossary” and “Frequently Asked Questions” as you go!

How counselors can use College Guide:

• Use the app with the user profile “Counselors,” and get push notifications specific to you!
• You will see the exact same messaging as your students, so you can shadow their goals and tasks.
• Select each of the grade levels you work with (10th, 11th, and 12th) and toggle back and forth to see the goals and tasks for each grade.

For help using our tools, contact our customer support team at support@californiacolleges.org.

College Guide on Google Play

College Guide on iTunes

– See more at: https://secure.californiacolleges.edu/home/college_guide.aspx#sthash.xqiPnKp0.dpuf

####