Arizona GEAR UP just launched an innovative college and career readiness guide targeted at parents. Yes, that’s right, we want to make sure parents also have the tools they need to help their children soar into the future. The Discover Parent Guide complements the Discover Guide, which is a college readiness and exploration manual for middle school students.
The Discover Parent Guide builds awareness for parents regarding postsecondary options and attainment. Additionally, the guide provides developmental benchmarks for students from middle school through high school to help parents support their child’s academic success. Arizona GEAR UP also provides instructional videos to support students, teachers, and parents through these efforts.
Arizona GEAR UP developed these innovative strategies to align with the Achieve60AZ alliance, which states that by 2030, 60 percent of Arizona adults, ages 25 to 64, will hold a postsecondary credential or degree.
“We know how influential parents are in helping move students through the college application process and supporting their students in college,” said NAU President Rita Cheng. “Arizona GEAR UP has been helping the state’s middle and high school students prepare for college for 20 years, and I am grateful for the work they’re doing to reach parents as well. This is one of the many ways NAU is helping all students be successful at the college level.”
In collaboration with project partners, Arizona GEAR UP provides services to 41 high schools throughout Arizona and the middle schools that feed into them. Arizona GEAR UP will send Discover Guides and Discover Parent Guides to all eighth-grade families in these targeted schools. In addition, both guides are available for download, free of charge, in both English and Spanish. Discover Parent Guide highlights include:
- Information regarding postsecondary options;
- Developmental benchmarks for students to help parents support their child’s progress;
- Necessary steps for postsecondary pathways;
- Materials regarding goal setting and postsecondary attainment.
“Two out of three jobs/careers will require some type of postsecondary education. AZGU is committed to promoting and expanding access to postsecondary options among the students we serve. Working with the entire family is a critical component of our work to increasing this access,” said Ramona Mellott, dean of the College of Education and co-principal investigator of Arizona GEAR UP. “The Discover Parent Guide is designed to provide valuable information to parents on postsecondary options and attainment, and prepares them to help their child achieve postsecondary success.”