2018 College Knowledge & More

Abstract

The counseling department at Seaside Middle School (SMS) implemented the 2018 College Knowledge & More project in order to provide college readiness for their students. Not all students at SMS are able to obtain knowledge about college topics on campus, much less at home as they are a socio-economically disadvantaged community of students. A focus group of fifty-two eighth grade students was created in order to make college readiness more accessible. This project better prepared students transitioning into high school and to promote higher education among low-income, first generation students. The outcome of this project was that students gained knowledge in the different California college systems, high school requirements, A-G requirements, and learn about their financial aid options. The heart of this capstone project was to help bring higher education equity to first generation and low income students. It is recommended that the intern must be bilingual and biliterate in order to serve this population. It is also recommended that the duration of 2018 College Knowledge & More extend to more students by creating a new focus group every semester in order to expand college readiness among the students.