ENGAGING PARENTSIN STUDENTS’ PATH TO COLLEGE AND CAREER SUCCESS

NOTE: SLIDES TAKEN FROM LARGER WEBINAR PRESENTED IN MARCH, 2014

CONTENT FOR THIS PORTION PROVIDED BY

COLLEGE BOUND, ST. LOUIS

Welcome & Thank You:

USA Funds

Indiana Commission for Higher Education

Leah BoersigCollege Bound, St. Louis

Leah@collegeboundstl.org

ENGAGING THE FAMILY in the

TRANSITION TO COLLEGE

FAMILIES AS PARTNERS CORE VALUES

① Radical Welcome

② Parents Are Learners

③ Parents Are Teachers

④ Break Down Barriers

⑤ Persistent Contact

①RADICAL WELCOME

Families expect a radical welcome by every person to every person who enters the office.• Express genuine friendship and care.• Create bond through shared commitment to

student’s success.

Office hours, Parent networking events

②PARENTS ARE LEARNERS

Parents want to be informed about children’s education.• Teach parents in the same engaging, effective

way you would teach their students.

Parent mailings, workshops, and events

③PARENTS ARE TEACHERS

Parents and families are usually the main support system for students and have a huge influence on their choices and actions through direct instruction and modeling.• Give parents tools, like staff, to empower

them to share knowledge and advice.

Parent leadership committee, Parent designed programs

④BREAK DOWN BARRIERS

Provide food.• Help problem-solve transportation issues

and provide necessary tools and assistance. Bus Tickets and Rides

• Offer childcare during events.• Make every effort to share information.

“Did Not Attend” Parent Meetings Mailings

⑤ PERSISTENT CONTACT

Always update contact information. Naviance Database

• Try multiple methods of communication.• Aim for maximum contact within bandwidth

of organization. More contact leads to greater results. Contact Procedure for Priority Events

Comprehensive Approach

PREVENT SUMMER MELTIf you can only do one thing…

Enrollment workshops!

Use volunteers, use older students, use more experienced parents. Use whatever

you can to get students this critical support!

0 Student + Parent + Staff0 Late May/Early June0 Identify barriers, challenges, needs:0Financial Review0Enrollment To Do List0 Introduce follow up support

QUESTIONS &

ANSWERS