Winter 2008 Access Report
Expanding Kids2College Online
Findings from a recent national study by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, From Aspirations to Action: The Role of Middle School Parents in Making the Dream of College a Reality (PDF, 400KB), confirm that students and their families from all backgrounds aspire to achieving their college dreams. The study also reiterated the fact that early-intervention programs are instrumental in encouraging these dreams and providing both students and parents with the necessary tools and resources to make them happen.
The Sallie Mae Fund supports a national program aimed at sixth-grade students and their families called Kids2College. Created in 1992 as a pilot effort to introduce sixth graders to higher education, Kids2College uses the "whole village to raise a child" concept as a way to intervene early and to build a going-to-college culture with students, families, and education communities. Specifically, middle schools are paired with a local college or university and participate in a six-session curriculum that combines hands-on activities with information on careers, college life, and how to choose school courses for education beyond high school. The program culminates with the middle-school classes and their parents visiting a partner college.
Originally developed partnership with the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts, The Sallie Mae Fund's Kids2College program has served more than 40,000 students nationwide. Kids2College programs have since been launched in other locations, including California, Connecticut, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Texas, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. In 2007, the Kids2College program served close to 10,000 students.
Based on overwhelming response from parents, students, and educators to Kids2College, The Sallie Mae Fund plans to expand the program, with the central part of the expansion focusing on an online Kids2College program and community. Via the Internet, The Fund will build a curriculum to serve universities, colleges, parents, educators, and others. The Sallie Mae Fund will manage the program, which will allow users to access Kids2College program curriculum, share best practices and research, and track results. The electronic Kids2College project is expected to launch sometime this year.
“Research shows us that we have to get to students earlier when it comes to planning and preparing for college, but most national programs are aimed at high schools,” says Judy Bunnell, senior program manager, Kids2College. “Many parents know they need to plan for college early, but they are at a loss in this area; they have good intentions but simply don’t know where to start. Kids2College is about creating a college-going culture early so that students and parents can get excited about the prospects of college and become active participants in making it happen.
“Our goal is to make this unique online Kids2College program available to anyone who is interested,” Bunnell adds.
More about plans to expand the Kids2College program will be included in the next issue of the Access Report.
If you are interested in learning more about Kids2College, contact Judy Bunnell.
