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The Minnesota College Access Network will work to implement the following strategies: Building a Network of College Access Programs Minnesota is fortunate to have several effective college access programs available to students in Minnesota. Programs such as Upward Bound, Admission Possible, Get Ready!, Destination 2010, Wallins Scholars and others are working hard to support college attendance and success among low income students and students of color. MCAN will provide opportunities for representatives from these programs to engage one another through forums, seminars, online for the purpose of building a stronger community of practitioners that can support our overall goals of increasing college attendance in Minnesota. Increasing the Number of College Access Programs Through start-up grants to community based efforts to increase college attendance, MCAN will lead to more college access programs throughout the state of Minnesota. College access programs provide important college preparation support to students to include academic support, college planning and in some cases scholarships to college. MCAN will work closely with Minnesota communities to increase the number of programs available to Minnesota students. Conducting Practical Research and Implementing Innovative Strategies The research on what it takes to get into college is quite clear. Students who take a rigorous college prep curriculum, receive proper support from adults, are in peer groups that aspire to attend college, receive proper college planning counseling, and are able to afford to attend are likely to attend and graduate from a college. MCAN will work with researchers and practitioners to understand the barriers that prevent students from having these important college prep experiences. MCAN will work with schools and communities to develop innovative strategies that result in more students participating in critical college preparatory experiences.
Promoting College Attendance MMEP believes that we need to change our rhetoric about education success in Minnesota from "closing achievement gaps" to "earning college degrees." No parent or student was motivated to invest in education because they want to close the achievement gap. MCAN would emulate successful efforts in other states that make use of social marketing strategies that intend to promote college as an achievable and worthwhile goal. Strategies ranging from a broad based media campaign to grassroots efforts in local communities can effectively promote higher education to thousands of young people. | ||||||