College Changes Everything
Before Choosing a College …
May 9, 2013
ISAC Announces 2013 Illinois College Application Month
May 1, 2013
The 2012 Illinois College Application Month was an overwhelming success as over 30 high schools across the state allowed students, with the guidance of advisors and teachers, to fill out their college applications during the school day.
Today we announce that we’re expanding the program for the entire month of October, launching the 2013 Illinois College Application Month. Today we’re encouraging school administrators to register their school today and host this great program for your students in the fall.
CCE Change Agent: Elgin Community College
Apr 24, 2013
“One school can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Elgin Community College
With this mantra, the Alliance for College Readiness at Elgin Community College focused on bringing faculty support to district high school’s. Preparing students for the courses they would take on at the collegiate level, the program saw remediation levels decrease by 8% and even 10% in mathematics.
Recognized nationally with the 2012 Bellwether Award, the program continues to see it’s success grow through it’s collaboration. We are excited to recognize the Alliance for College Readiness at Elgin Community College as our first CCE Change Agent.
Boston.
Apr 16, 2013
Before I Die NOLA
Apr 11, 2013
Candy Chang – Before I Die NOLA
Money Smart Week Apr. 20th – 27th
Apr 10, 2013
At ISAC, we’ve had the opportunity to help participate and share knowledge on saving for college at Money Smart Week. 2013 is no different and we’ll be hosting seminars on saving for college, as well as navigating the financial aid process at events across Illinois. Find and register for a Money Smart Week event near you today.
In the News: Demystifying the High Tuition, High-Aid Model
Apr 9, 2013
Mar 5, 2013
Highlights from ISAC, Your Family, and Education
Feb 28, 2013
ISAC, Your Family, and Education at UIS
ISAC Family Event in Springfield
Feb 19, 2013
College is life changing. Not only for you, but for your family, and for your community as well. Get to know how it will change you life and how to start on the path at any age. Register today at https://www.isac.org/corps/events/family-events.html
CCE Post
Feb 15, 2013
The week in news:
http://paper.li/CCE_Illinois/1360941839
#CCEInvolved – Know your elected officials
Feb 5, 2013
One of simplest ways to learn more about higher education opportunities not only for you, but your children as well, is to find out who your local legislators are. Make sure you know who is representing you and find out what they’re doing for post-secondary opportunities in your community.
Stay in touch with those who represent you in government. (Links to www.ilga.gov, http://www.ioc.state.il.us/index.cfm/departments/local-government-division/view-local-government-contact-information/)
CCE Involved: Get Involved!
Feb 4, 2013
People ask all the time what they can do to help out or get involved. The same applies for the countless individuals we meet every day who wants to spread the message of the importance of higher education. But spreading the message of how college changed your life can seem like a daunting task. How do you share something so pivotal in your life and express the change that it has had on countless aspects of yourself?
We believe you can spread the message through simple acts. You don’t need to rent billboard space or buy a fancy advertising campaign. We know that the simplest ways to share how higher education has impacted your life can begin around your kitchen table.
That’s why today we are introducing Get Involved. When you visit the CCE website you’ll find a simple list of acts that you can perform in your community to share the importance of higher education. But we ask you one small favor when you perform these simple tasks. Share them with us! Send photos, videos, or share stories on Facebook or Twitter. Also, if you have suggestions for our list, send them our way on our family of social media sites.
Monday is a great day to Get Involved.
Friday Dose of Inspiration
Feb 1, 2013
http://www.ssireview.org/blog/entry/the_mismeasure_of_impact
Mayor of Peoria Supports CCE
Jan 30, 2013
Mayor of Peoria Jim Ardis Supports CCE in State of the City Address
In addition to Peoria Promise, we also have to look at providing educational opportunities for all students and continuing education for everyone. To that end, along with Dr. Bill Collier, we worked with the Illinois Student Assistance commission (ISAC) and Director Sam Nelson to have them host the first regional College Changes Everything conference in Peoria last October. Sam is with us today. College Changes Everything is a statewide movement to support the goal to increase the percentage of Illinois adults with a quality post-secondary degree or credential from 42% to 60% by the year 2025. By the year 2018, it’s estimated that 64% of all jobs in Illinois (4.4 million jobs) will require some post-secondary training beyond high school. Data from the 2011 American Community Survey indicate that roughly 38% of adults in Peoria have some type of post-secondary degree or credential, and another roughly 26% having some college but no degree. That means 51,000 working-age Peoria area residents have attended college but don’t have a degree or credential. The importance of a degree goes beyond educational levels – it also translates to higher incomes, as college graduates earn on average 38% more than those with only a high school diploma. Working together we need to cultivate a college-going culture for all communities in the Peoria area and provide college-going environments within our school system.
Why Go To College?
Jan 25, 2013
Why Go to College? infographic by FederalStudentAid.
Daily Dose of Inspiration
Jan 24, 2013
Mark Salzman – Importance of Reading
Jan 16, 2013
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/179730-1
From C-SPAN: Joe Loya and Mark Salzman talked about the importance of reading and writing in their lives and described their work teaching prisoners to develop the same appreciation. Mr. Loya, a former bank robber who spent many years in prison, described growing up with a father who, while extremely violent, passed along a love of books to him. Mr. Salzman, who spent his younger years in China, talked about mentoring juvenile offenders. Both authors answered questions from the audience following their discussion. Mr. Salzman is the author of True Notebooks, published by Knopf. Mr. Loya is the author of The Man Who Outgrew His Prison Cell: Confessions of a Bank Robber, published by Rayo.
#CCEReads – True Notebooks
Jan 14, 2013
Many authors have written about countless issues facing education, which are wide-ranging from classrooms issues, to social implications, funding, reforms, and the list goes on and on. We hope to highlight books and authors that give us a better understanding of many of these matters.
We launch this effort with True Notebooks by Mark Salzman. Focusing on his work at a juvenile detention hall, Salzman takes us into a writing class that he held for incarcerated youth and the many ups and downs of his time with the hall. His book allows you to connect with not only his first-hand experience but also gives insight into the minds of volunteers, staff members, and the teenage offenders.
This week we’ll be dissecting this book from a number of different perspectives, bring along others to comment on the book, and hopefully walk away with some action items. Currently I have the e-reader edition but check out your local bookstore for a copy of the book.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for a more thorough conversation.
Daily Dose of Inspiration
Jan 11, 2013
CCE Visits After School Matters
Jan 10, 2013
Who hates bare walls? There are many who struggle with this decorative dilemma whether it be in their home or the office. And really … who wants to spend hundreds of dollars on something that you either don’t understand or don’t even know what it is.
We’ve walked by the After School Matters store a number of times in downtown Chicago. Curiosity ultimately got the best of us and as we strolled through the door you were instantly surrounded by beautiful pieces of art. But not just any art. These sculptures, paintings, and photographs were made by Chicago area students. Thanks to the After School Matters program teens across the city of Chicago are offered hands-on, project-based programs after school and during the summer at no cost.
The staff at ASM could not have been more helpful or informative in noting the details of the program and success of the students. As they made special note, in March 2013 there will be a showcase of the students work at the Chicago Theatre which will be free to the public.
So as we strolled through the back of the store there were drawers upon drawers of student art. We spent time going through each print and photograph and found pieces that spoke to us. We could instantly connect with the stories that these students were trying to tell. And for $9 (you can even get postcards for .25 cents) we each were able to cover up a bare wall. Except now we have a story to tell and a student perspective to learn more about.
Hello world!
Dec 17, 2012
Over the last year we’ve encouraged partners, legislators, students, and educators to learn about College Changes Everything at a variety of conferences and forums across Illinois. We have tackled issues ranging from retention to access and looked at programs that are trying to make a difference.
But moving into 2013 we’re adding a new perspective. While many of you work and focus in higher education, there are a variety of initiatives, books, and cultural content that can expand our knowledge of education. Our goal is to bring those to you. While featuring these variety of activities are not an official endorsement, we hope that we can increase the every day conversation we have with you on this blog, and our other entities.
If you have an event, a reading recommendation, or other suggestion please let us know. We only succeed if we keep that consistent dialogue with each other, and ultimately include others in our discussions.
So welcome!