College and Career Transition CounselorCreating partnerships for student success.

4469 REV 09/21

College and Career Transition Counselor

Table of Contents

Lead Organizations

Overview .............................................................................. 2 What is the College and Career Transition Counselor? ......... 2 Important Dates - RFP ........................................................ 2 Application Requirements .................................................. 3 Important Dates - Counselor Recruitment .............................. 3Finances ................................................................................ 4 Financial Information ........................................................ 4 Operational Sharing Dollars .............................................. 4 Perkins Reserve Fund Incentive Grants ................................. 5Job Description Example ..................................................... 6Best Practices ........................................................................ 7Contacts ................................................................................ 8

1

AEA PREP (Postsecondary Readiness & Equity Partnership)

729 21st Street Bettendorf, IA 52722

Phone: 563-359-1371 www.iowaaea.org/aea-prep

Iowa College Aid

475 SW Fifth St., Suite D Des Moines, IA 50309

Phone: 515-725.3400

www.iowacollegeaid.gov

Iowa Department of Education

400 E. 14th Street Des Moines, IA 50319-0146

Phone: 515-281-8260

www.educateiowa.gov

College and Career Transition Counselor 2

Overview

What is the College and Career Transition Counselor?

The College and Career Transition Counselor (CCTC) Partnership creates counselor positions to work directly through community colleges and partner high schools across Iowa. College and Career Transition Counselors create targeted connections with students and families during crucial periods of high school, such as college preparation, transition to enrollment, and persistence through their postsecondary program.

Through the competitive application process, the CCTC Partnership steering committee will award small grants across the state to community colleges that partner with school districts in their service area. Each partnership will hire a CCTC whose main focus will be to work with students in grades 11 and 12 and as the first-year advisor at the community college for students from the partner school districts. In 2021-2022 FY, 20 CCTC Partnerships were created amongst 7 community college districts and 33 community school districts, and 21 CCT Counselor roles will filled.

Community College Commitment

• Hire, retain, supervise and evaluate one licensed school counselor to share responsibilities among the community college and partnership high schools. The CCTC should not have a student load of more than 300:1.

High School Commitment

• Provide in-kind contribution within the existing school counseling office or department. The counselor will become a part-time school counselor within each high school, working in coordination with the comprehensive school counseling program.

• If using operational sharing, distribute funds received directly to the community college.

CCTC Program Steering Committee/Lead Organizations Commitments

• Iowa College Aid: House a statewide project coordinator to work in close collaboration with each CCTC community college, partner school district and AEA PREP. Provide training and professional development opportunities to counselors, promote statewide alignment and monitor program progress.

• AEA PREP: Work with partnering school and community college districts for the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing support of the College and Career Transition Counselors. Consult with partners regarding operational sharing agreement provisions, assist with ongoing training, and provide postsecondary readiness and success data to support program evaluation.

• Iowa Department of Education: Provide financial support to community colleges via small grants that will be on a three-year cycle; and guidance on the use of shared operational funds to support the position.

Important Dates - RFP

Informational Webinar 10/6/2021

Q&A Session 10/20/2021

Request for Proposals Available 10/20/2021

Applications Due 12/15/2021

Notice of Award 01/03/2022

College and Career Transition Counselor 3

Overview | continued

Application Requirements:

Once a community college has developed and agreed upon a partnership with at least one school district for the CCTC position, the grant application can be completed in Iowa Grants. The community college will act as the fiscal agent for the grant funding. A community college representative will need a log in to the Iowa Grants system. This can be requested by contacting Jeff Fletcher at jeffrey.fletcher@iowa.gov or 515-321-7309.

The initial application components include, but are not limited to:

• Grant recipient information (Community College contact)

• Partnering School district(s)

• Minority impact statement questions

• Budget description

• Job description

• CCTC Assurances

• Questions:

1. Provide a comprehensive overview of how the College and Career Transition Counselor position will impact the students served by the Community College and School District(s).

2. Describe how the College and Career Transition Counselor will reduce barriers and expand access to career and academic opportunities for students.

3. How many high school 11th and 12th grade students could be potentially impacted by the College and Career Transition Counselor and what is the overall size of the school districts that will be served?

4. What is the anticipated case load (*Note: One CCTC position should not oversee more than 300 students).

The community college will also apply for funding during year two and year three as part of the 3-year grant. The application for these years will allow for the community college and school districts to update the CTE Bureau on the progress of the CCTC position.

Application

www.iowagrants.gov

Important Dates - CCT Counselor Recruitment

Job posting on TeachIowa.gov (Contact Lora Rasey for community college account assistance.) 02/01/2022

Counselor Recruitment February - May, 2022

Counselor contract begins June, July or August, 2022

Perkins Grant final invoice to the Iowa Department of Education 06/30/2022

College and Career Transition Counselor 4

Finances

Financial Information

The Department of Education, Bureau of Career and Technical Education, will award small start-up grants that will help to fund this position. Each grant recipient will receive funding to help offset the program costs. The grant funding is intended to support and expand the College and Career Transitions Counselors (CCTC) model across the state. School districts may be able to access Operational Sharing dollars to support this position.

Operational Sharing Dollars

Certain shared positions (e.g., superintendents, business officers, school counselors) generate a supplementary weighting in the K12 school funding formula. For school counselors, schools receive a student equivalent weighting of 2.0 – basically two additional students in their total. That is multiplied by the district cost per pupil (CPP) to generate the allocation. For FY21, the district CPP was $7,048 - $7,203. The total funding per district for a shared counselor would be at least $14,096.

Link to Supplementary Weighting Sharing FY22

• Sharing a counselor position among two schools could generate $28,192. To receive weighting, a district must share with at least one other institution and have the shared position at least 20% time.

• Operational function assigned supplementary weighting was changed in HF 847 during the 2021 legislative session. Link to HF847 (please see pages 12-13).

• Districts are capped at 21 student equivalents for shared positions. If a district is over the cap, it receives funding only up to the cap (e.g., if adding a shared human resource manager at 5.0 weighting puts the district at 23 student equivalents, it would be rounded down to 21 for funding purposes).

• Districts may share with other districts (with or without weighted support), AEAs, or community colleges. The shared staff member must perform the shared function (e.g., counseling) for both agencies. AEAs can receive operational sharing up to $30,000 total across all shared positions. Each position type can only be shared once (e.g., a school cannot share two counselors and generate double the weighting).

• Operational sharing had sunset provisions, but in 2018 it was extended to FY24.

• For shared positions, one entity (community college in this proposal) holds the contract for the position and the others (school districts) purchase a portion of the contract time.

• Timing: Applications for funding occur during the year of sharing. Schools and AEAs report shared staff through the Basic Education Data Survey (BEDS) annually. Funds flow to schools the year following the actual sharing.

To use Operational Sharing to support this position school districts must qualify for funding. A licensed school counselor must be hired in the CCTC position. In accordance with 281 - IAC 97.7(2)(g): (1) Shared personnel must perform the services of a school counselor. An individual performing the function of a school counselor must be properly licensed for that position; (2) Deans of students, social workers, or clerical, paraprofessional, or other support services personnel in the guidance services function area shall not be considered a shared school counselor under this subrule; (3) Shared school counselor services shall not include contracting for services from a private provider even if another political subdivision is contracting for services from the same private provider.

Link to 281—97.7(257) Supplementary Weighting Plan for Operational Services (See pages 7-10)

College and Career Transition Counselor 5

Finances | continued

Perkins Reserve Fund Incentive Grants

The Iowa Perkins State Plan provides the opportunity to use reserve funds for areas of need that directly connect to students in secondary and postsecondary arenas. Use of the reserve funds will help establish the CCTC positions across Iowa.

Timeline:

• Year 1 – Perkins incentive support (up to $40,000 per position*). Estimated cost of a shared counselor is $65,000-75,000. *Funding amounts are subject to change.

• Year 2 – Operational sharing dollars received by school districts from year 1 ($28,192 - $28,812). Limited Perkins support ($7,500).

• Year 3 – Operational sharing funds from year 2 ($28,192 - $28,812). Limited Perkins support ($2,500). Increased enrollments and tuition payments would be expected for community colleges.

Position Costs Example

College and Career Transition Counselor Position: Assumes $50,000-$60,000 salary, $15,000 benefits/fringe (insurance, IPERS, travel, professional development); 195-day contract timeline

Contributor Funds Responsibility

Community College Salary and Benefits/Fringe: $36,808 to $46,808

Hosts, hires and pays CCTC. Invoices partner school districts their cost of the position.

School District 1 Operational sharing: $14,096 Hosts CCTC in school building, sends funds to community college partner.

School District 2 Operational sharing: $14,096 Hosts CCTC in school building, sends funds to community college partner.

College and Career Transition Counselor 6

Job Description

COLLEGE AND CAREER TRANSITION COUNSELOR

POSITION DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE

Position Title/Employee NameCollege and Career Ready Counselor

Reporting Relationship:Dean of Student Development

Position Summary:Responsible for providing direct services to students, parents/families, and school staff across two districts and the college to support college preparation and postsecondary success.

Minimum Qualifications:Master’s degree in School Counseling or related program leading to Iowa licensure as a School Counselor (Professional Service License or School Counselor Endorsement). Experience in secondary and/or postsecondary education settings. Experience in programs serving low-income, minority, and ELL students and families. Understanding of the community college mission, and a proven dedication to its students. A demonstrated focus on student success. Well-developed skills in oral and written communication. Competency in using computers and other forms of technology to carry out daily tasks. Must maintain a flexible work schedule.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:• Assists all students, individually or in groups, with developing academic, college, and career goals and plans. • Collaborate with school counselors, administrators, and teachers to support academic success, career exploration,

goal setting, leadership development, college planning, and campus visits for all students. • Responsible for case management to include: tracking, proactive communications, follow-up with students, faculty,

and other resources to increase student success.• Provide students with information regarding application, educational offerings, financial aid, assessment testing

and course placement, and related district policies and processes. • Assist students with course selection, creation of academic plans, registration process and facilitating the transfer

of students to four-year colleges/universities.• Works as a part of the college services team (admissions, advising, financial aid, student activities, housing,

registration). • Assist with summer programs, college orientation sessions, and other recruitment or enrollment events.• Collects and analyzes student data and confers with school and college staff to identify and refer students in need

of more intensive academic support such as tutoring, extended learning, mentoring, and counseling.• Responsible for monitoring attendance, academic performance, college prep course selection, enrollment in AP

and dual enrollment courses, credits needed for graduation, and progress towards goals of all students. • Conducts parent/family outreach and education (including home visits) activities to strengthen family/school

partnerships and facilitate college selection and financial planning. • Collaborates with school staff to establish high expectations for all students and develop a rigorous/relevant

curriculum to build the foundation needed for success in post-secondary education. • Supports a smooth transition from 12th grade to post-secondary education for students and families.• Connects students and families with community and higher education resources to support success in school and

facilitate planning for post-secondary education. • Serves as a resource for school staff, students, parents/families, and community members.• Teach First-Year Experience courses, Freshman Seminars and direct workshops for students. • Participates in professional development, as directed by the community college.• Assists with other duties as may be assigned.

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Best Practices

EICC Case Study

Mississippi Bend AEA, Columbus Junction, Louisa Muscatine, Wilton, West Liberty, Muscatine, and Eastern Iowa CCs• Supports students through high school and during the 1st year of college• Provides support during the “transition” and “summer melt”

White Paper - Partnerships That Work

Among the highlights related to FAFSA completion:• WhileFAFSAcompletiondecreased1percentagepointoverthelasttwoyearsbothstatewide(from58%

to57%)andwithinMBAEA(from56%to55%),thecompletionrateinthepartneringschoolsincreased7and14percentagepointsinLouisaMuscatine(from66%to73%)andColumbusJunction(from61%to75%)respectively.In2019,ratesinthesetwoschoolsareatleast16percentagepointshigherthanstateratesandatleast18percentagepointshigherthanratesforMBAEA.

• IncreasedcompletionratesimprovedtherelativerankingofbothschoolamongschoolsintheAEAandacrossthestate.In2017ColumbusJunction’sFAFSAcompletionrateranked192ndinthestateand11thamongdistrictsinMBAEA;by2019therateranked28thand2ndinthestateandtheAEArespectively.FAFSAcompletionratesforLouisaMuscatineranked131stand7thinthestateandMBAEAin2017.By2019,LouisaMuscatine’sratesranked42ndand4thinthestateandAEArespectively.

FAFSA COMPLETION RATE FAFSA COMPLETION RANKING

2017 2018 2019

Percentage Point

Difference 2017 2018 2019

Iowa 58% 57% 57% -1MBAEA 56% 54% 55% -1

Columbus Junction 61% 62% 75% +14State:192nd State: 164th State:28thAEA:11th AEA: 9th AEA:2nd

Louisa Muscatine 66% 68% 73% +7State:131st State: 76th State:42ndAEA:7th AEA:5th AEA: 4th

Among the highlights related to postsecondary intent and enrollment:• WhilethepercentageofIowahighschoolgraduatesacrossthestate,indicatingapostsecondary

intentiontopursueadegreeorcredentialdeclinedbetweentheClassof2016to2018by2percentagepoints,intentionsincreasedbetweentheseclassesinbothColumbusJunction(from76%to82%)andLouisaMuscatine(from81%to90%)overthistimeperiod.

• Postsecondaryenrollmentimmediatelyfollowinghighschoolgraduationintoa1-,2-,or4-yearprogramsthatleadtodegreesorcredentialssteadilydeclinedinIowasince2016;from65%to63%.EnrollmentsincreasedduringthistimeforbothColumbusJunction(from51%to55%)andLouisaMuscatine(from60%to67%).

• GiventherelationshipbetweenFAFSAcompletion,postsecondaryintention,andpostsecondaryenrollment,2019FAFSAcompletionratessuggestthesetrendswillcontinueforthenextgraduatingclass.

• InadditiontotheupcomingClassof2019datarelease,thenextphaseofoutcomedatawillbecomeavailable;thepersistenceofstudentswhobenefittedfromtheCollegeandCareerCounselor’ssupportwhileinhighschoolandastheytransitionedtopostsecondaryprograms.

IMMEDIATE POSTSECONDARY

ENROLLMENTPOSTSECONDARY

INTENTIONINTENT TO

ENROLL GAP

2016 2017 2018

Percentage Point

Difference 2016 2017 2018

Percentage Point

Difference 2016 2017 2018

Percentage Point

Difference

Iowa 65% 64% 63% -2 80% 79% 78% -2 15% 15% 15% 0Columbus

Junction 51% 55% 55% +4 76% 84% 82% +1 20% 29% 27% +7

Louisa Muscatine 60% 67% 66% +7 81% 84% 90% +11 21% 14% 24% +3

The Outcomes

A Case Study from Eastern Iowa

College and Career Transition Counselors

Partnerships that Work:

Contacts

College and Career Transition Counselor 8

CCTC Recruitment & Training:

David Ford

AEA PREP (Postsecondary Readiness & Equity Partnership)

Phone: 563-344-6571 www.iowaaea.org/aea-prep/

Resources

Iowa Grants: www.IowaGrants.gov

Supplementary Weighting Sharing: https://dom.iowa.gov/document/line-39-supplementary-weighting-additional-detail-fy-2022

281-97.7(257) Supplementary Weighting Plan for Operational Services: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wrXg_BibVHBa0V1c12iVbaw2z6G7sv1_/view?usp=sharing

Syllabus: Strategies for Academic Success: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hbd5w1leqrd7SjugNQXGg9jUqdoN7Zrv/view?usp=sharing

Syllabus: Strategies for Academic Success - Wilton: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1f76llzYYNZYbyP7DPZS82iigBEbtdJGl/view?usp=sharing

CCTC Position Integration:

Dr. Naomi DeWinter

MCC President / EICC Vice Chancellor for Student Development

Muscatine Community College

Phone: 563-288-6001 www.eicc.edu

CCTC Statewide Coordination & Training:

Christina Sibaouih

Iowa College Aid

Phone: 515-725.3101

www.iowacollegeaid.gov

CCTC Network Coordinator

Keyli Keifer

Iowa College Aid

Phone: 515-725.3456

www.iowacollegeaid.gov

CCTC Perkins Grant:

Dr. Katy Blatnick-Gagne

Iowa Department of Education

Phone: 515-281-8353

www.educateiowa.gov