High+School+Seniors+and+their+Choices+after+Graduation


 * High School Seniors and Their Choices after Graduation, an Argument for Increased Teacher Involvement**
 * (With Accompanying Counselor Presentation to Reluctant Teachers)**
 * By: Nathan Tongel, Liberty University**


 * Abstract:** Often we joke about the stereotypes of the school counselor and the student, but the importance of the relationship is documented in scholarly journals. Some may remember the New York Times feature by Greenhouse (2009), which discussed the influences of school and others in United States Labor Secretary Hilda Solis’ life. In the article, Solis said that her high school guidance counselor told her mother, “Your daughter is not college material (2009, first paragraph).” Words such as these by school counselors can inspire success as in Hilda Solis or very easily provoke failure. School counselors and teachers make a difference. It is up to us as educators to make sure that that influence is positive instead of negative.

A positive attitude can build a strong relationship.


 * Research and Support:** Research indicates that teachers and school personnel are very important influencers in a student’s future success and further, college success. Ultimately the ball does lie in the student’s court but we as educators can work toward helping our students succeed. In a recent study by Bender, Tripodi, Aguilar, and Thompson (2010), the researchers found that a student’s ability to self control was a key predictor of future adult arrest but was also related to high school success. With that said, the student is responsible, but as the educated professional, what responsibilities do we have to the student?

Studying first year college students and their influences, Hudley, Moschetti, Gonzalez, Su-Je, Barry, and Kelly (2009) discovered important indicators of student success in college. According to the authors, “the more participants talked to teachers in high school, the more academically competent they (students) felt in college, and this relationship was especially strong for first-generation students (pp. 439).” The research makes a strong connection with teacher interest in student success and college opportunities and the student’s actual success. Educators must teach beyond the curriculum to ensure students have the support needed to have success in college or even take the steps needed to attend. Educators may offer some students the only encouragement they will receive to attend and succeed in college. Berzin (2010) specifically studied low income students and college attendance. Berzin states “Parents in poor families may be less engaged in academic activities or have less experience than other parents in the educational arena (pp.112).” Without teacher influence, a large portion of our student population goes without proper college guidance.

So, why is it important for educators to become involved in students and their future after high school? McClure (2009) states that students who move on to receive their Associates Degree are more likely to earn 29% more than their counterparts with only a high school degree. Gains such as these cannot be ignored and necessitate the emphasis of teachers on developing student’s knowledge and interest in college. This advantage may also hold greater economic benefits to the larger community as we will discuss in further sections.

Student education is crucial to college success; however college experts agree that schools should do more to prepare students. Gewertz (2009) indicates that college professionals call for more schools to take a more active role. Gewertz states, “Many students — even those with good grades — lack the information and support necessary to select good colleges, complete the applications, secure financial aid, and actually enroll. If high schools don't fill that gap, the panelists said, they (schools) risk having their graduates never attend or complete college (paragraph 3).” Schools are responsible for arming their students with the knowledge to achieve in college and teachers are an important link in that process.


 * Topic**: This article and accompanying presentation is tailored to the specific demographic and economic data for Davidson County, North Carolina. Davidson County has suffered from the loss of large furniture manufacturing firms and economically has not recovered. The adult population’s education level falls below state averages and well below that of Forsyth County a close neighbor and economic rival (http://quickfacts.census.gov). Students graduating from our high school must seek opportunities through higher education to improve their resumes and compete for scant job opportunities. Additionally, improving education of the work force seems to directly relate to increases in economic power for the people and county. Increasing our number of high school graduates in post secondary school will require the communal effort of all the teachers in a high school. Teachers have direct and daily contact with students. This teacher-student contact supersedes the limited student contacts possible by a small school guidance staff. Partnering with school teachers to bring guidance lessons about college preparation to students serves a wider audience and keeps interest in college current and real to students who may only have minimal contacts from the guidance staff during their critical senior year. Though this presentation was tailored to the specific culture of Central Davidson Senior High School, the principle of enforcing guidance lessons on a regular basis by classroom teachers will most likely increase student interest and retention of the subject. In the case of continuous encouragement and discussion of a student’s future with their classroom teacher, I believe that most school systems will see an increase in the number of students with a plan for attending a post secondary institution.


 * Title of presentation:** Seniors and Their Choices after Graduation


 * Presentation Summary:** The presentation briefly discusses the economic and educational statistical information for Davidson County versus rival power to the north, Forsyth County. The numbers indicate Davidson County is behind in higher education and economics. Teachers are then charged with the importance and their role in increasing the number of students in post-secondary education. Emphasis is placed on the sheer number of contact hours a teacher has with students versus the brief contact of the school guidance staff. The teachers often have the trust and respect of their students and therefore should take the opportunity to discuss and motivate seniors to pursue the steps involved in the college preparation process. The presentation then focuses on the basic process of preparing, applying and paying for college. The presentation attempts to briefly cover the scope of college related topics and encourages further research by the student by listing helpful websites and presenting students with a starting place for future conversations with teachers about post-secondary education. Finally, the presentation concludes by giving examples of how different teachers can slide college related topics into their curriculum or simply as reminders during class down time.

The counselor should also develop their own dates and agenda for college fairs, college visits and financial aid nights. This information varies from school to school and some opportunities, such as “College Application Week (www.cfnc.org)” may not be available in other states.
 * Presentation Procedures:** Implementation of this presentation can begin with the counselor first examining the needs and current culture of his or her school. If the school could benefit from increasing student attendance to post-secondary schools, like the school in the presentation, then several preparations by the counselor should take place. Statistics are powerful validation of the need for college education. Counselors should begin by doing their own research and plugging it into the presentation or even changing the data measured. For example, if your county is currently benefiting from a highly educated workforce and economic prosperity then the statistics could focus on the minority of students that are not moving on or a correlation can be made to education and salaries.

1. Title-emphasize graduation will occur in ______ school days and students need to prepare. 2. Purpose- Unite the faculty, a counselor cannot effectively motivate all students without faculty support. 3. Emphasize their role in preparing students cuts time out of class and the other points. 4. The next slides point to the lack of educated workers and resulting economic disparity. These slides make a case for immediate action. Slides may change for other schools. 5. continued 6. continued 7. Considerable information is going to be discussed, but I only need the teachers to retain and act on the 3 slide topics. 8. This begins the student presentation. 9. These are the 4 basic options. Work is no longer a favorable option. 10. Students should consider these factors when looking for a college. 11. Introduce CFNC as a resource. Other resources vary by state. 12. Criteria of community college. Explain the open door policy as well as testing. 13. Public versus private schools. Students mistakenly disregard the private option because of cost. I make a unique comparison to purchasing a car. Public and private schools will get a student a degree but the pricey private option may be a smoother ride with smaller class sizes and other perks. Students should evaluate their own needs in the decision. Comparisons should also include financial aid packages. Some private schools have large endowments which can decrease the costs significantly. Many students qualify for private schools at virtually the same price as public. 14. This slide lists basic factors to college admission. You should research the schools in your area and their admissions criteria. 15. This slide covers applying online to college. Online is preferred over paper. I also introduce CFNC’s College Application Week which offers to waive application fees during 1 week in November. 16. List of schools participating in the waiver. 17. Application timetable suggestions. Early is better as colleges are often like picnic tables at the park. The earlier you get there the better your chance of getting a table. 18. These are some things required with an application. 19. This begins the section on paying for college. The FAFSA is the first step and must be filled out to receive any financial aid. 20. The CSS Profile is an additional financial aid application. The profile is not required by all schools but important for others. Please check the website listed for specific colleges. 21. Schedule financial aid workshops for students and parents no later than January. Getting the word out is very important. 22. Emphasize the importance of persistence in scholarship applications. I further recommend that the counselor keeps a data base of local scholarships on a school website. 23. End by reemphasizing key dates or points for the students. 24. Return to presenting to teachers. Emphasize the universality of incorporating college preparation into multiple curriculums or the dead times in class. 25. Periodically ask students these questions to keep college preparation fresh in their mind. 26. Finally, list any resources you have for information so that others can research the topics.
 * Suggested Steps for slide(s):**

1. What percent increase do most workers see by earning an Associate’s Degree as opposed to a High School Degree? a. None is noted, they need a bachelor’s b. 29% c. 110% d. 15%
 * Test Questions**

2. Research indicates students see more success in college when teachers: a. Teach curriculum b. Have a doctorate degree c. Work a second job d. Have a relationship and discuss choices with students

3. Students not continuing there education should expect: a. To make less money than college educated peers b. Compete for very few jobs c. Both a and b d. To be filthy rich

4. Students from low income groups are: a. Ready to succeed in college b. Always successful in work related courses c. Also special education students d. Often from homes where parents are either disinterested or just inexperienced with college preparations

5. Guidance counselors offer teachers: a. A good resource to help them help students through the college process b. A place to put bad students c. A scape goat for poor test scores d. A personal therapist free of charge

(1) b, (2) d, (3) c, (4) d, (5) a
 * Answers**

Bender, K., Tripodi, S., Aguilar, J., & Thompson, S. (2010). Predicting Arrest in Early Adulthood: The Relationship between Internal and External Sources of Control. Social Work Research, 34(1), 58-64.
 * Reference list:**

Berzin, S. (2010). Educational Aspirations among Low-Income Youths: Examining Multiple Conceptual Models. Children & Schools, 32(2), 112-124.

College Board (2010). CSS Profile. https://profileonline.collegeboard.com

College Foundation of NC. (n.d.). www.cfnc.org

Federal Application for Student Aid. (n.d.). www.fafsa.ed.gov

Gewertz, C. (2009). Reports Call on Schools to Guide Students Into College. Education Week, 28(20), 7.

Google Data (n.d.). http://www.google.com/publicdata/home

Greenhouse, S. (2009, July 6). As Labor Secretary, Finding Influence in Her Past. New York Times, p. 11.

Hudley, C., Moschetti, R., Gonzalez, A., Su-Je, C., Barry, L., & Kelly, M. (2009). College Freshmen's Perceptions of Their High School Experiences. Journal of Advanced Academics, 20(3), 438-471.

McClure, A. (2009). Community College Grads and Economic Mobility. University Business, 12(10), 12.

United States Census Bureau (n.d.). http://quickfacts.census.gov


 * Presentation:**