September 23-27 is College GO! Week in Indiana. This annual event aims to increase the number of students pursuing post-secondary education. In particular, there is a focus on increasing college attendance of low-income and first-generation college students.
Although it might seem that this week would be geared towards only high school students, it is not. The earlier students can start thinking about college the more time they have to learn about their options and what they want to do once they graduate.
College GO! resources cover all grades K-12. During the primary grades, the focus is on basic college knowledge. For kindergarten through second grade, students think about career options and the pathway to college. In grades three-five, students learn basic college knowledge such as the different degrees you can earn, how long degree programs take, and what a major is.
In the secondary grade, students focus more on making a plan for life after high school. In grades six through eight, students explore careers more in-depth and can even take the skills assessment at IndianaCareerExplorer.com. They also make a graduation map. Freshman and sophomore year, students identify whether they are on track for high school graduation and create a plan for the future. During junior and senior year, students focus on identifying a major and weighing different college options.
Parents should look for College GO! Resources in their children’s backpacks this week. Once parents find those resources, they should take the opportunity to begin discussing college and future goals with their children.