Bridging the Electronic Divide: A Reflection on Year One of Naviance eDocsJoseph A. Tagliaferro

Coordinator of Student Support Services

Abington Senior High School

Abington, PA

Session Objectives•Description of Abington Senior High School•Overview of prior practice for college application process•Steps to gain “buy-in” for eDocs from stakeholders•Technology setup and challenges•Rolling out eDocs to parents, students and staff•Successes and challenges•The plan for year two

Description of Abington Senior High School

Abington Senior High School

•Located in suburban Philadelphia•Approximately 1800 students

• 33% minority students• Approximately 15% students with

IEPs• Approximately 22% economically

disadvantaged•90% of graduates attend post-secondary schools

• 65% four-year institutions• 25% two-year institutions/community

colleges

College Application Process pre-eDocs

•Approximately 2300 applications processed per year•Most students applied online•Paper transcripts and letters of recommendation printed•Envelopes, stamps and postcards•Lots of signatures and visits to the post office!•Logging of applications in Naviance by counselors and secretaries•Senior Survey completed through Naviance

Frustrations

•Paper everywhere!•Getting envelopes and stamps from the seniors•Maintaining accurate records•Lost materials•Time lost to signing documents•Confidentiality

Laying the Foundation for Change

The “Buy-in” Process

•Start within the department•Submit formal proposal to building and district administration•Involve the Technology Department•Solicit support from teachers who write the most letters•Cost-benefit analysis•Present to Board of School Directors•Use your professional network

Overcoming Fear of Technology

•Establish an internal “expert” panel•Make contact with Naviance support•Training for:

• Counselors• Secretaries• Teachers• Tech department• Students• Parents

Technology Setup

Steps to Making eDocs “Live”

1. Download eDocs printer2. Setup printer on counselor and secretary computers3. Print a test transcript4. Upload documents5. Send a test packet to a college6. Set up permissions for counselors, teachers and secretaries7. Determine process for students

Challenges

•Internal technical issues setting up the eDocs printer•Familiarizing users with components of application packet for Common Application, NACAC, etc.•Trusting the process – make sure you stay connected with your resources and Naviance support

Rolling out eDocs to students, parents and staff

Bringing the Faculty into the Picture

•Faculty meeting prior to the start of school•After-school meetings for staff•Establish points of contact for questions or procedural concerns•Be willing to go the extra mile for teachers as they familiarize themselves with program•Establish internal network of teachers during the school year

Rolling out to Parents

•Send mailing prior to the start of school•Set up an evening event during the first weeks of school•Use all technology means to publicize the new procedure and any orientation meetings

• Website• Social media• “robo-call”

Rolling Out to Students

•Classroom presentations early in the school year•Be clear about the procedures•Provide handouts or outlines for each type of application•Know your audience•You will learn more from them than they will from you!

Successes and Challenges

What Worked?

•Significant time savings for staff

•Where is all the paper?

•Immediate results

•Financial impact on department budget

•Facility of reporting for building administration

•Immediately embraced by all stakeholders

Challenges

•Teacher permissions and access

•Surrendering the process to the students

•Submission of teacher documents

•NCAA Clearinghouse documents

•Colleges with unique procedures or non-subscribers

Looking Ahead

New for Year Two

•Expanded networking with local high schools•Expanded use of technology to facilitate application process•Evening “parent panel” – have parents speak to parents about eDocs

Questions?

Joseph TagliaferroAbington Senior High School

215-884-4700 x2366taglja@abington.k12.pa.us

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