Spotlight On Education
"Go Higher-Get Accepted"
Program Helps High School Students
Duval County Public Schools (DCPS)
and Florida Community College at Jacksonville (FCCJ)
have teamed up in support of the new Florida Department
of Education’s campaign “Go Higher—Get Accepted.”
Education Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg announced the
campaign on April 2. The intent of the campaign is to
help high-school seniors enroll at one of Florida’s 28
community colleges before graduation, as it has been
proven that income level increases as one’s education
level increases.
As part of the partnership with
DCPS, FCCJ will visit seniors at Terry Parker High
School and A. Philip Randolph Academies of Technology.
Enrollment counselors will help students assess their
career interests, choose the type of degree or
certificate to pursue, submit an application for
admission, and apply for financial aid.
“It is vitally important for
students to continue their education after high school,”
said Blomberg. “Nearly 90 percent of students say they
want to pursue more education after graduation, but only
half of them do. This campaign helps students
understand their options and achieve their goals.”
Florida Academic Counseling and
Tracking for Students (FACTS.org) is coordinating the
statewide campaign and providing promotional support
with web pages, direct mail pieces, posters and other
materials.
“Our goal is that every high school
senior, by the time they walk across the stage to get
their diploma, will have received a letter of acceptance
to a college or university. That will make the next
step of going to college easier,” said FACTS.org
Executive Director Connie Graunke, Ph.D.
The extended Duval program allows
community volunteers and FCCJ to target sophomores in 10
high schools which have a low rate of graduates entering
four-year schools. This month, volunteers will meet
with small groups of students to help them identify
their career interests; explore current workforce
information and need for post-secondary education;
support what students need to do to ensure high-school
success; establish post-secondary goals and learn how to
achieve them.
For a list of “Go Higher—Get Accepted” events,
including participating community colleges and high
schools, visit
www.facts.org. |
