GCAC
COLLEGE ACCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS:
A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
www.GACollegeAccessCourses.org
COLLEGE ACCESS CHALLENGE
GRANT (CACG)
 Grant Implementation led by The University
System of Georgia on behalf of the
Governor’s Office.
 Grant Partners Include:
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Technical College System of Georgia
Georgia Department of Education
Georgia Student Finance Commission
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education
Communities in Schools of Georgia
Southern Regional Education Board (SREB)
CACG GOALS

To increase the number of underrepresented students
who graduate from Georgia high schools ready,
supported and motivated to go into postsecondary
education.

To increase the number of underrepresented students
enrolled and persisting in postsecondary education.

To increase the college degree attainment of lowincome adults with some college credits but no
degree.
GEORGIA COLLEGE ACCESS COURSES
The Georgia College Access Courses
(GCAC) were developed to provide
high quality, online professional
learning for certified middle grade and
high school counselors, college and
career coaches and advisors, and
postsecondary enrollment professionals
Overview of GCAC
 ASCA National Model
 Development by content experts
 Middle grades and high school counselors
 State agency representatives
 College of Education faculty
 Curriculum specialists
 Education Development Center (EDC)
A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE
DESIGNED WITH YOU IN MIND
A Professional Learning Experience
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8 week online course for academic credit

Four stand-alone online courses
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Each course includes four sessions
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Each session requires two (2) weeks preparation

CEU/PLU credit
Facilitator led
Optional face-to-face workshops or hybrid
approach
A Rewarding Learning Experience
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REGISTRATION FEE – $100/course
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Fully reimbursed upon completion of the course
STIPEND – $500
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Awarded upon completion of 3 of 4 courses
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Use for professional development opportunity
PLU or CEU – 4 credits/course

Credited upon completion of course
Counseling Professionals Enrolled in GCAC
No. of Participants
Role of Enrollees (as of December 2013)
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Total
HS Counselor
MS Counselor Grad Advisor
Position Assignment
Other
Counseling Experience of GCAC Participants
Counseling Experience (as of December 2013)
No. of Participants
60
50
40
30
Total
20
10
0
0 - 5 years
6 - 10 years
11 - 15 years
Years of Counseling Experience
16+ years
THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Clearly stated learning objectives
 Readings from a variety of sources
 Active participant discussion forums
 Applied Activities
 Discussion rubrics
 Videos
 Action plans
 Research
 Enhance Professional Portfolio

THE MODULES
CULTURE, PLANNING, FISCAL & MIDDLE GRADES
CULTURE MODULE
BUILDING A COLLEGE-GOING CULTURE FOR ALL
STUDENTS

Understanding and communicating the role of the school counselor
across all areas to gain faculty and administrator support for the
counseling program;

Advocating for the improvement of student school success and for
removing barriers to high aspirations and achievement;

Promoting the "college-going" mission among the total school
landscape;
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Identifying and understanding how the diversity of the school
cultural landscape impacts college access and success; and

Developing strategies and approaches for communicating and
working with a diverse student and parent population.
CULTURE MODULE
“Learning how other counselors communicate with students and parents.
And the information on communicating with diverse populations.”
TAKE AWAYS

YOUR PORTFOLIO
 School
Data Summary
 One-week
calendar that will allow you to meet with
all students in a specific grade.
 ACTION
PLAN
PLANNING MODULE
COLLEGE, CAREER AND ACADEMIC PLANNING

Encouraging early career awareness and planning;

Communicating information to both students and parent about
course options and how they fit into the student's career plan;

Focusing on data to monitor the progress of struggling students and
plan interventions;

Exploring postsecondary choices and analyzing the characteristics
for best student fit; and

Developing strategies and approaches for communicating and
working with a diverse student and parent population.
PLANNING MODULE
“The readings were great and the College Readiness Barometer form was
very helpful - Going from Middle to High School.”
TAKE AWAYS

YOUR PORTFOLIO
 NOSCA
College Readiness Barometer
 Student
Interventions Worksheet
 Career
Lesson Plan
 ACTION
PLAN
FISCAL MODULE
FINANCIAL AID AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Ensuring parents and students have the knowledge needed to
overcome barriers to college access and success;

Assisting students in preparing for admissions tests;

Collaborating with teachers to assist students with application packets,
i.e. English teachers and the college essay, developing resumes; and

Developing strategies and approaches for communicating and working
with a diverse student and parent population.
FISCAL MODULE
“Gaining new information to help my students and to re-affirm what
I was already doing. This course will help to make me a more effective
counselor.”
TAKE AWAYS

YOUR PORTFOLI0
 Financial
 Parent
Aid/College Admissions Calendar
Night Worksheet
 Grants,
Loans and Scholarships Chart
 ACTION
PLAN
MIDDLE GRADES MODULE
COLLEGE AND CAREER COUNSELING IN THE MIDDLE
GRADES

Establishing a college-going culture in middle grade schools that inspires
and motivates students to pursue education beyond high school;

Engaging middle school students in career planning and outstanding
academic achievement;

Creating transition activities for parents and middle grade students to
help these students prepare for high school; and

Increasing the number of underrepresented students who enroll in
college or technical institutions after graduation.
MODULE 4: MIDDLE GRADES
TAKE AWAYS

YOUR PORTFOLIO
 Barriers Chart Worksheet
 PowerPoint Slide Show
 ACTION PLAN
 Identify strategies to engage students
 Assist a student with planning academic goals
 Survey community to identify assets and resources
GCAC REGISTRATION OPEN ONLINE
NEXT SESSIONS:
MARCH 17, 2014 – MAY 16, 2014
JUNE 16, 2014 – JULY 25, 2014 (only 6 weeks)
http://academics.georgiasouthern.edu/ce/
programs/onlineofferings/collegeaccess/
Alternative Modalities

ONLINE COURSE

FACE-TO-FACE ORIENTATION PLUS ONLINE
COURSE

INTEGRATE CONTENT INTO MASTER’S PROGRAM
FOR COUNSELOR
CONTACT US
QUESTIONS & COMMENTS ENCOURAGED
GCAC INFORMATION. . .
Ava J. Baker
Program Manager
Georgia College Access Courses
Office of College Access
Board of Regents, University System of Georgia
ccti@usg.edu
LOOK FOR CACG ON . . .

TWITTER – @CollegeAccessGA

LINKEDIN – College Access GA

PINTEREST – College Access (College Access GA)

FACE BOOK – College Access GA
Next Steps, Wrap-Up, Adjournment
www.GACollegeAccessCourses.org