Western Association of College Admissions Counselors

Chapman College, June 10-12, 2009

Inclusion, Diversity,, Equity, and Access (IDEA) pre-Conference

 

College & Beyond:
Inculcating Career and College Awareness

By Luis South

College and Beyond After School Program
Fall 2007

Written by Luis South, Education Counselor

SWBAT:
1)  Inculcate a college vision and drive.
2)  Expose students to concepts concerning professionalism and worker competence.
3)  Write and talk knowledgeably about career interests.
4)  Critically think and present ideas about career and college while utilizing higher
level idea development skills.
5)  Utilize art concepts to generate ideas about the environment and its connectedness
to humanity.
6)  Develop a sense of general self concept regarding academic capabilities and
personal efficacy concerning completion of small group and individual projects.
7)  Work independently and collaboratively to keep up with their present grade level
concepts and homework assignments.
8)  Analyze personal goals in order to communicate feelings and life goals/needs to
teachers and school counselors.

Activities to achieve goals:
• Students will view videos and participate in structured class discussions concerning careers, college worthiness, and global environmental issues.
• Present students with opportunities to produce independent and collaborative
Nature Art Collages.

C & B Outcomes 2008-2009

The main goals of the program is to inculcate habits consistent with developing students’:

1) English language capabilities

2) confidence of oral and written expression within a multicultural setting

3) understanding of grade level concepts (supplemental to teacher lessons)

4) self-driven college and career focus

5) inclusion of art and art appreciation as part of life

6) communication skills with others focused on college and career

Focusing Dialogue

Thank you, the IDEA Committee dedicated to enhancing the WACAC annual conference, for accepting my offer to present information concerning College & Beyond, my after school education counseling strategy for the highest at risk population at Hooper Avenue Elementary School (LAUSD).

I encourage participants to consider perusing my website at http://www.educounselor.com/wacac_conf_09.htm where you can also contact me. I will enjoy revealing more of the intricacies concerning this program.

College & Beyond after school program has evolved over the past three school years at Hooper Avenue Elementary. The program goals are written according to the specific needs of the students who attend. These goals are developed based upon my interaction with students over the prior year and have been reviewed constantly to keep focus on purpose as well as design of activities relevant to current students’ needs.

This year the need to get the buy-in of Spanish speaking students that they are to speak English exclusively during this extended day program was not easy, nor acceptable to all. Our meetings went from February through the end of April. Our culminating trip to Marymount College took place on May 6, 2009. Then Mr. Fregoso, my primary collaborating 5th grade teacher, held an end-of-year parents’ pot luck that I attended.

There were three 5th grade classes (94 students) who traveled via bus to Marymount College. There were one Cambodian, one African American, and possibly one Native American student.  All the other students were of Spanish speaking cultures in the Western Hemisphere.
 

Instead of trying to convince my audience at the IDEA pre-Conference 2009 that College and Beyond is a worthy program, I am requesting that you hold an open dialogue or email me with your thoughts, pro and con, exploring the feasibility of adding at least one elementary school to your long list of “things to do” for the upcoming school year. Consider first hearing from attendees of this year’s conference who represent Marymount College. Their practical experience with my largest group taken on a field trip may help you decide if your office may want to do the same. Also consider reading:

1)  Educating California: Choices for the Future
Hans Johnson
Public Policy Institute of California , 2009
(415) 440-1120
20 pages

2)  The Impact of Racially Inclusive Schooling
By Gary LaFree and Richard Arum
Criminology: February 2006

3)  Race and ethnicity in the United States: issues and debates
By Stephen Steinberg
Published by Wiley-Blackwell, 2000
ISBN 0631208313, 9780631208310
342 pages

 

This is a daunting task that will take dedication and perseverance. In order to frame a leading question for this dialogue we may ask: Are we ready to create a reality where America’s urban schools can develop more and academically stronger “minority” students capable of entering and completing college? This is possibly the most comprehensive systemic process to make that idea real.
 

Supportive Quotes