Strategies for Retaining & Preparing Latinos at the High School Level

OPENING AMERICAN MINDS

Strategies for Retaining &

Preparing Latinos at the High

School Level

Presented by:

Erin ThompsonRegional Program DirectorHispanic Scholarship Fund


WHO WE ARE

HSF is the nation’s leading organization supporting Hispanic higher education

Mission

Strengthen America by advancing the college education of Hispanic Americans.

Vision

To strengthen the nation’s future by ensuring that every Latino household in the U.S. will have at least one college graduate.

Scholarships

Breaking the cycle one student

at a time

Outreach Activities

Breaking the cycle for Latino families


A SNAPSHOT OF OUR POPULATION

Characteristics:

In the United Sates there are over 41.3 million Latinos and 1 in every 5 people under the age of 18 is Latino

Latinos have the highest high school dropout rate as compared to other ethnic groups!

Georgia has the lowest high school graduation rate for Latinos: only 32%!!

Although by many standards teen pregnancy rates have dropped, Latino teens still have higher pregnancy/fatherhood rates than their peers from other ethnic groups


MIGRANT FAMILIES

Characteristics:

Much more traditional than other Hispanics

High school graduation is a big accomplishment

1st generation college students

Large majority of students who go to college are males

Transient

Families with “mixed” immigration status


YOUTH DEMOGRAPHICS

Hispanics are young!

35.0% are 18 years of age and under, with only 4.9% age 65 and over.

In 2002, the median age was 26.8 compared with 35.7 for all races.

In 2010, Hispanics made up 1 out of 5 young people of high school age, compared with one in ten in 1990, representing two-thirds of the growth in this population.

Hispanics are now the majority minority group in our country

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

30.5

26.8

37.135.7

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Hispanic All Races White African American

Median Age

31.4%

35.0%

23.5%25.7%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

Hispanic All Races White African American

Percentage Under 18 Years


EDUCATION TRENDS

Source: National Center for Educational Statistics, Dropout Rates in the United States: 2000.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, December 19, 2000.

High school dropout rates for 16 to 24 year olds

Persons 25 years and over who have attained a Bachelor’s degree or higher

27.8%

6.9%

13.1%

10.9%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

White AfricanAmerican

Hispanic All Races

11.1%

29.4%

17.2%

26.7%

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

White AfricanAmerican

Hispanic All Races


EDUCATION TRENDS IN GEORGIA

The percentage of Hispanic high school students is expected to rise from 2% to 26% and white students to decline from 61% to 39% by 2018*

Hispanic college student population: 2.8%**

Bachelor’s degree and above (ages 25 years and over):**

White Population = 28.70% (1,026,186) Hispanic Population = 14.31% (39,403)

*SREB Fact Book on Higher Education 2005**NCES, Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, 2002



THE LATINO EDUCATIONAL PIPELINE

4 Graduate with aGraduate / Professional Degree

60 Graduate from High School

15 Go to a4-year Institution

12 Graduate from a 4-year Institution

33 Continue to College

14Make itto the

3rd yearof a 4-year Institution

100 Kindergarten Students

27End their education

with a High School

Diploma

40Drop Out of

Middle & High

School

3 Transfers to a4-year Institution

18 Go toCommunity College

Source: Pew Hispanic Center Mid Decade Report. Integrated with prior trend Hispanic Scholarship Fund data. 2006


CHARACTERISTICS OF HISPANICS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

When Hispanics go to college they are more likely to:

Be first in the family to go to college Come from low-income background Enroll in a 2-year institution Delay entry into post-secondary institution Attend part-time


BARRIERS TO EDUCATION

Low Income Families: 1 out of every 2 Hispanic children lives in a family in the lowest income percentile

Parental Education Level 1out of every 3 Hispanic children live in a family where neither parent has a high

school diploma

Immigration status

Acculturation and language issues

Lack of role models

Lack of basic information about the education system and college


WHY IS THE EDUCATION OF HISPANICS SO IMPORTANT?

The return on investment of a better-educated Hispanic workforce is 400 percent (2000 HSF Education Study)

Taxpayers would reap revenue projected at $13 billion through reduced public spending and increased tax contributions among the Hispanic population

Additional benefits would impact the private sector through increased discretionary income and consumer spending


SO HOW DO WE GET THEM THERE?


1. DUST OFF YOUR PR SKILLS

We have to “sell” the idea of college in the sense that Sacrificing now will reap greater rewards in the future There is greater economic security in having an education

Personalize the higher education experience for them Share stories/pictures of students they know who are currently

attending college, especially fellow Latinos Share about your own college experiences

Help them become better marketers of their own skills Discuss the benefits of being bilingual Encourage them to keep track of their accolades and involvements


IN A LANGUAGE WE ALL UNDERSTAND…


A story to motivate and A story to motivate and challenge you. This is the challenge you. This is the

story of Rudy…story of Rudy…


Keep track of:

ActivitiesAwards/honorsLeadership positions (class president, treasurer, team captain, etc.)Community servicePart-time jobsSummer Programs

Why? Because it shows:

Time management skillsAcademic successResponsibilityDependabilityLeadershipInvolvementDiversityAnd most of all it shows that you are…

A well-rounded student! Which is great for what?


2. KNOW HOW TO TALK $$$MONEY$$$

Frequently integrate discussion of scholarships and other forms of financial assistance into conversation

Did you know there are scholarships for that?

OMG- don’t assume that everyone knows the lingo Explain terms like FAFSA, SAR, EFC, etc. in terms students can

understand Encourage students to visit sites like GAcollege411 for further

explanations of terminology

Help dispel the myth that private school is always more expensive

In many cases private schools have more money to offer This can be especially true for our undocumented population


But scholarships are But scholarships are only for students with only for students with good grades or really good grades or really good athletes-right? good athletes-right?


WRONG!! WRONG!! There are There are scholarships for just about scholarships for just about

anything, including:anything, including:GenderRace and/or ethnicityMusical, dramatic or artistic talentService to your communityLeadershipEconomic needFluency in multiple languagesAnd even for being left-handed!!


Sample Financial Aid Package

State PrivateCost $15,000 $30,000

State Scholarship $3,000 $3,000Institutional Grant $1,975 $9,750Loan-Stafford $2,625 $2,625Scholarships $1,000 $8,000 Work-Study $2,000 $2,000Total Aid $10,600 $25,375EFC $3,000 $3,000

Difference $1,400 $1,625


3. EMPOWER YOUR STUDENTS- AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE

Don’t stereotype, don’t make assumptions Talk to ALL of them about college, never assume student can’t succeed! Set the expectation that ALL must obtain postsecondary education. Inform them about all the options available after college.

Push them beyond their comfort zones Encourage them to work hard & set high but realistic expectations. Whenever possible & appropriate, encourage students to choose the most

rigorous courses they are prepared for (ACP, AP, IB) Teach them to advocate for themselves.

I’ve got your back but I’m not going to do it for you Encourage them to get organized & prioritize Hold them accountable for deadlines This time it’s personal


Preparing During High School

1. GPA

2. College Prep Curriculum

3. Rigorous Courses

4. Standardized Tests

5. Extracurricular Activities

6. Resume

7. Cultivating Relationships

8. Finish the Drill


Your parents have their important papers in a safe

place….and you should too!


Get organized-in the way that works for you

Take note of all deadlines

Set your own personal deadlines- and stick to them!

Put it where you’ll see it every day

Prioritize

Follow up

Make sure colleges have what they need from you

Let them know of your continued interest

Finish strong

RELAX!


Some sites with good month-by-month guides:

www.mycollegecalendar.org

www.collegeboard.com

www.nacacnet.org


Top Mistakes1. Not reading or following instructions2. Not addressing essay question/ too short3. Improper grammar & spelling4. Entering wrong or forgetting e-mail address5. Not updating account with contact info6. Having different names in account and documents7. Sending incorrect documents8. Not mailing documents to correct address9. Not double-checking answers before submitting10. Not completing all steps in the application


Not all Schools are Created EquallyNot all Schools are Created Equally

2 year vs. 4 year Public vs. Private Sure things vs. Dream Schools Factors to consider:

Selection Criteria Programs of Study Academic Rigor Cost Location Size Campus Life/Student Activities Special things for you


4. TODOS INVITADOS

Including the family makes a difference Explaining the general system of higher education in greater detail

helps families feel welcome and included It makes for a better prepared scholar and a family more apt to support

choices that require the child to leave home.

Identify the goals of the parent programs To actively engage parents to better understand our system of higher

education and take part in their children’s decision to attend college To invite families to find new ways of supporting students

Remind parents that they are their child's first and most important teacher

Inform parents of how their actions and words affect a student’s pursuit of higher education


Suggestions for Engaging Parents

Help parents understand what is expected of their student. Make sure all materials are bilingual.

Talk to parents. Personal connections are important so if language is a barrier, find a translator.

Inform parents about the education system in the U.S. and how they can help the students beyond homework.

Recruit Hispanic parents to help reach out to other parents.

Combine meetings with social activities.


Suggestions for Engaging Parents, cont.

Mail letters of invitation to the parents. Do not rely on flyers or sending messages with the students.

Provide college information at the middle school level.

Make them aware of financial aid resources.

Explain to parents the earning potential of college graduates (financial incentives).


How can parents help?

Make sure your student:

Meets all the requirements! Starts applications with enough time. Requests recommendations in a timely

fashion. Reads the instructions carefully. Proofreads essays. Provides ALL required documents. Makes and keep copies. Submits applications by the deadline!


Your Words Today/ Tus Palabras de Hoy Campaign

Ad Council Campaign on Parental Support

http://yourwordstoday.org/campaign/media/public_service_announcement/

Free DVD for parents with information on admissions and financial aid


5. TRANSITION IS KEY

Encourage your students to attend their schools’ summer orientation

Students who have a sense of the campus and know of support resources before classes start have an easier adjustment

Course advisement and placement testing often takes place at this time so missing it could have adverse consequences

If at all possible encourage students and parents to visit campus before making a final decision

Seeing the campus will give a better sense of fit as well as piece of mind

“Desde la vista nace el amor”

Consider hosting a parent transition meeting for those with students starting college


Pre-Advisement/Orientation Sessions

For Students:•Discussion about the lifestyle transition to campus•Discussion of some “toxic class combos”•Share information about resources available to them on campus.•If possible have a representative from a university academic support center present to discuss tutoring, the writing center, math lab, etc.

For Parents:•Presentation and discussion about college life for parents•Discussion about student services (financial aid, tutoring, career center, minority student services, health center, housing, meal plan, campus security)•Time allotted for parents to ask questions and fill out a brief evaluation of the event •Ideally this is done while the students are elsewhere


6. FURTHER WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR STUDENTS

Be knowledgeable about legislation that can affect Latinos Stay informed about educational opportunities for

undocumented students Be knowledgeable about resources available for Latinos Start early (8th-9th grade) and hold meetings in Spanish Establish mentor programs using influential role models such

as college students, teachers, and professionals Express a genuine desire to learn about their culture Enlist the help of other organizations:

Scholarship Organizations (HSF, Hispanic College Fund) Colleges (personnel, student orgs.) Community-based organizations (JA, Big Brother/Big Sister, Girls

Inc., LAA, Boys & Girls Club) Professional organizations (NSHMBA, SPHE) Corporations


The Hispanic Scholarship Fund Can Help! Scholarships

High School Scholarship Program Georgia Opportunities Scholarship Program Gates Millennium Scholarship College Scholarship Program

Outreach Presentations to Students Presentations to Parents Town Hall Meetings Steps for Success

Scholar Chapters Goal is to promote academic success and student engagement among

Latino college students by encouraging them to serve as role models and leaders in their communities.

Each chapter has a student coordinator trained by HSF who receives guidance on curriculum and programming to assist Latino students on their campus succeed.


What if my GPA or my residential status make me ineligible for an HSF scholarship?

There are still options Refer to the sheet provided at the HSF table for some options, with

particular attention to the sites www.maldef.org, www.fondofuturo.com, and www.latinocollegedollars.org

Apply early and apply for all the scholarships that you can (thing Rudy!)

Think outside the box, think local, think about who you know, and ask often!

Remember NO award is too small to apply for- free money is free money!

If everything else fails- DETOUR PLAN: Remember part-time is always an option Start at a community college Ask at the institutions about other types of assistance. Communicate and explain your case. You are not the only, the first, nor the last one


CONTACT US…

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

1-877-HSF-INFO (toll free)

www.yourwordstoday.org

www.hsf.net

Documents

Strategies for Retaining & Preparing Latinos at the High School Level