Pathways to College Network News

Ann Coles Appointed to National Expert Panel on High School Improvement
The National High School Center has appointed Ann Coles, Director of Pathways and Senior Vice President of TERI, to the Friends of the National High School Center Working Group. Coles joins a panel of practitioners, researchers, and executives from national education organizations and foundations to provide guidance and direction as the the National High School Center offers high school-related assistance to the Regional Comprehensive Centers of the U.S. Department of Education.

News from the Field

New National and State College Access Marketing Campaigns Launched
The American Council on Education, in partnership with Lumina Foundation for Education and the Ad Council, launched the national “KnowHow2Go” campaign in early January. The campaign targets 8^th-10^th grade students with the message that there are steps they need to take if they want to go to college. Public service announcements and posters direct students to the KnowHow2Go.org website for practical advice on preparing and planning for college and links to resources in the state in which they live.

Also, in January, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid launched a national campaign called “Only a Dream.” It targets students, especially minority and first-generation students, who need assistance to pay for college and provides information about the availability of financial aid. For more information, go to http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/lajwt.html.

Another college access marketing initiative that began in January is Massachusetts' “Ready Set Go” campaign . Created by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education and Department of Education, this campaign's website lists eight steps for students to take to get ready for college, as well as links to resources and information necessary to pay for college. For information, go to http://www.ReadySetGotoCollege.com.

The Pathways to College Network is currently conducting a survey to identify existing and prospective college access marketing campaigns across the country. If you know of a campaign that should be included, please contact Karen Cheng at 617.556.0581 or cheng@teri.org.

New Reports and Resources

State Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance Policies for Public Colleges and Universities, 2005-2006
This report from the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO) examines the philosophies, policies, and procedures that drive decision-making about public college and university tuition, fees, and financial aid programs, as well as general issues of college affordability.
[read the report]

High School to College and Careers: Aligning State Policies
In this report, the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) provides one-page summaries of each of its member state’s current policies, programs, and requirements for high school completion and college readiness. The report challenges states to develop and incorporate college readiness standards into the high school curriculum.
[read the report]

Emerging Evidence on Improving High School Student Achievement and Graduation Rates: The Effects of Four Popular Improvement Programs
This research brief from the National High School Center discusses the effects of four outreach programs designed to improve low performing urban and rural schools: Career Academy, First Things First, Project GRAD, and Talent Development.
[read the report]

The Resource Guide for Action: Transforming High School for All Youth
The National High School Alliance has a new web-based resource that is designed to help policymakers and practitioners take action around the core principles of the Alliance’s report - A Call to Action: Transforming High School for All Youth. The six core principles of A Call to Action recommend strategies to guide leaders to ensure that all high school graduates are prepared for college, careers, and active civic participation.
[see the website]

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