Pathways to College: Improving Students’ Access to and Readiness for College

—————————September 29, 2009

Charles Sumner SchoolWashington, DC

SEE Forums:

Becki Herman, SEE Forums Director, Managing Research Scientist, American Institutes for Research (www.air.org)

Supported through a grant from the Institute of Education Sciences (ies.ed.gov) of the U.S. Department of Education

Panelists: Tom Bailey, Director, National Center for

Postsecondary Research, Columbia University Cecilia Rouse, Member of the White House

Council of Economic Advisers Mel Riddile, Associate Director for High School

Services, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)

Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do

Thomas Bailey, DirectorCommunity College Research Center

National Center for Postsecondary Research

Presented at

Scientific Evidence in Education ForumWashington, DC

September 29, 2009

Background

• Gains in access over the last 30 years• Low income and minority students are still much

less likely to enroll in college• To achieve the currently accepted goals of

significant increase in college graduation, access and preparation must be strengthened

• Success in college is also built on solid preparation for the academic, social, and cultural college environment

High School Completion and Initial Postsecondary Enrollment by SES

Quartile Eighth Graders in 1988

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Lowest Second Third Highest

Per

cen

t o

f S

ES

Qu

arti

le No PSE, No HS

No PSE w/HS or GED

PSE 2-Yr or <2-Yr

PSE 4-Yr

Sequence of Preparation

• Do they have access to a program that prepares them for college?

• Do they know what they need to do and where they stand?

• Are they prepared for the academic demands of colleges and the college culture and norms?

• Do they take the concrete steps needed to gain access to college and secure funding?

Recommendation 1

• Offer courses that prepare students for college-level work.– Implement a curriculum that prepares all

students for college.– Include opportunities for college-level work for

advanced students.

• Ensure that students understand a college-ready curriculum by 9th grade.– Develop a four-year course trajectory with

each 9th grader.

Recommendation 2

• Utilize assessment measures throughout high school.– Utilize performance data to inform students

about their proficiency.– Create an individualized plan for students.– Offer courses and curricula that prepare

students for college-level work.

• Assist students in overcoming deficiencies as they are identified.

Recommendation 3

• Surround students with adults and peers who support college-going aspirations.– Provide mentoring for students.– Facilitate student relationships with peers who

plan to attend college.– Provide hands-on opportunities for students to

explore different careers.

Recommendation 4

• Assist students in completing critical steps for college entry.– Ensure students prepare for, and take, the

appropriate college entrance exam. – Assist students in their college search.– Assist students in completing applications and

other critical steps for college entry.

Recommendation 5

• Increase financial awareness.– Increase families’ financial awareness.– Organize workshops about college

affordability, scholarship, and financial aid.

• Help students apply for aid.– Help students and parents complete financial

aid forms.

Contact Information

Thomas Bailey: Tbailey@tc.edu

URL for the Practice Guide:

http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/publications/practiceguides/

NCPR website: http://www.postsecondaryresearch.org

CCRC website: http://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu

The Obama Administration and Reforming High School Education

Cecilia RouseMember, Council of Economic Advisers

September 29, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

• Expands Pell Grants:– Adds $15.8 million in Federal Pell Grants through FY 2011, with a

maximum grant of $4,860 for a student in 2009-2010.– Adds $200 million in Federal Work-Study program funding through

FY 2011.

• The American Opportunity Credit – Expands the Hope Credit to up to $2,500 per student per year.– Expands eligibility to individuals making up to $80,000 AGI

($160,000 for married couples).

“I'll simplify the financial aid application process so that we don't have a million students who aren't applying for aid because it's too difficult.”

– President Barack Obama

“You basically have to have a Ph.D. to figure that thing out.”

– U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

• 16 million students apply for financial aid per year;• The form is six pages with 153 questions; more

complicated than most tax forms.• Research suggests students are hindered by the

application process.

The Administration’s three-part plan for simplification

• Streamline the current online FAFSA.• Allow applicants to access data they have provided to

the IRS to complete the FAFSA.• Eliminate the most difficult questions from the FAFSA.

Income AdjustmentParents of

DependentsDependent Students

Independent Students

SUBTRACTIONS FROM INCOME

Child Support Paid 1.6% 0.1% 2.1%

Taxable Earnings from Need-Based Employment

0.1% 2.6% 1.1%

Grant Aid Reported to the IRS in AGI 2.4% 3.3% 3.5%

Combat Pay 0.1% 0.0% 0.1%

ADDITIONS TO INCOME

Child Support Received 6.1% 0.1% 0.4%

Living Allowances for Military, Clergy, Others

1.0% 0.1% 0.8%

VA Non-Education Benefits 0.6% 0.0% 0.8%

Other Untaxed Income 2.2% 0.2% 1.9%

Reporting of Non-IRS Subtractions fromand Additions to Income by 2009-10 Applicants

All DependentsIndependents

without DependentsIndependents

with Dependents

Create Asset Limitation

0.98 0.97 0.99 0.997

Create Asset Limitation

and Eliminate Certain Income

Adjustments

0.85 0.83 0.85 0.91

Correlation of Pell Grant Awards between the Current Formula and Proposed Formula

Change in Pell Awards by Dependency Status, Dropping All Non-IRS Financial Questions

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Percent of Pell Recipients

Decreases by more than $250

Remains within +/- $250

Increases by more than $250

Independentswithout Dependents(19% of total)

Dependents(38% of total)

Independentswith Dependents (42% of total)

All Pell Recipients

Note: Sample consists of students who are eligible for a Pell grant under the current formula or the revised formula. The figures do not include changes to aid awards based upon information that is reported incorrectly.

The High School Graduation Initiative

• The President’s FY 2010 budget proposal included $50 million for the High School Graduation Initiative.

• It would support grants to local educational agencies to implement proven strategies for reducing the number of students who drop out before completing secondary school and for assisting youth to reenter school after they have dropped out.

The House Recently Passed the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009

• Starting in 2011, increases the maximum Pell Grant amount by CPI plus 1%, raising the maximum grant to $5,550 in 2010 and $6,900 in 2019.

• Lowers interest rates on need-based loans; expands access to Perkins loans.

• Simplifies FAFSA forms.

• Creates a new Community College Challenge Grant program and the American Graduation Initiative both aimed at increasing completion by (e.g.,) improving transfer rates, industry partnerships, enhancing support services, building links with high schools.

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SEE Forum

“Pathways to College”

Mel Riddile, Ed.D

Associate Director, NASSP

2006 National High School Principal

of the Year

riddilem@principals.org

35

1. College-level Curriculum

“ACT: Forgotten Middle” “On the Front Lines of Schools” “Time To Act” Learner Readiness

Skills Literacy Algebra

6-year plan By 7th Grade

Externally Moderated Courses AP IB Dual Enrollment

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2. On-Target

Diagnostic Assessments Reading

Lexiles Reader > Text > Occupation

Writing Community College Placement Exams College Placement Exams

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2. On-Target

Course content to standards

Customization

ILP

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3. Support System

AVID

College Partnership

College visits

School to college agreements

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4. Critical Steps

Systemic Awareness Plan “Invite don't announce!”

Hands-on PSAT SAT Prep SAT SAT "brush-up" Application Career Centers

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5. Financial Awareness

Systemic Awareness

Workshops

Online resources

Scholarship Fund

Contact Us:SEE FORUMS

American Institutes for Research1000 Thomas Jefferson Street, NW

Washington, DC Attn: Becki Hermanrherman@air.org

Email: info@seeforums.org

Website: www.seeforums.org