supporting access to higher education for immigrant and undocumented students · 2017-02-13 ·...
TRANSCRIPT
Why the 2016 Conference?
CESCaL’s Mission and Vision
CESCaL has provided collaborative
opportunities for school counselor
educators, administrative/leadership
training programs and state department
leaders in school counseling to discuss
and problem solve critical training
issues in the profession.
Personal Stories…
Barriers to Appropriately Advising Students
1) Students lack of knowledge of his/her
immigration status.
2) Limited knowledge about and access to
funding opportunities.
3) The need for high quality training
opportunities
4) Struggle with identity development
U.S. Department of Education, 2015
E4FC, 2015
Access to Funding
Limited knowledge ABOUT and access to funding opportunities:
1. Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Not all
students qualify. Given the current political landscape, students may be afraid to
depend on DACA for future funding.
2. In-State vs. Out of State Tuition vs. International
3. Scholarships
4. State Specific Funding
5. Disparities leads to inappropriate advising…
The Need for High Quality Training Opportunities
School districts may provide professional development, however:
- Not all staff may attend or receive necessary information,
- Districts tend to limit their collaboration effort with key stakeholders,
- Educators remain reluctant to discuss sensitive issues such as
immigration and the emotional trauma students have experienced
(Luke, 2015),
- Incorrect information is provided to students (DACA, AB 540,
Resources) (E4FC, 2015).
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Laws and rights ofundocumented and/or
immigrant students
College/university financialaid resources for
undocumented and/orimmigrant students and
families
College application processfor undocumented and/or
immigrant students
KNOWLEDGE
59.43 % 59.43 %66.86 %
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
I feel confident advisingundocumented and/or
immigrant students regardingthe college application
process, FAFSA, AB 540, etc
I feel comfortablecounseling/advising students
affected by the secrecy ofliving in the fear of family
separation
I feel empowered to advocatefor undocumented andimmigrant students and
families
ATTITUDES
47.68 %
59.30 %
78.16 %
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
I possess the skills to access resources tocreate safe, welcoming and inclusive schools
for immigrant and undocumented students(N=167)
I utilize the skills to access resources tocreate safe, welcoming and inclusive schools
for immigrant and undocumented students(N=160)
SKILLS
75.76 % 75.76 %
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
I feel empowered toadvocate for immigrant and
undocumented students
I am a strong ally toimmigrant and
undocumented students
I am a visible ally toimmigrant and
undocumented students
ALLY
81.50 % 81.87
68.42 %
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
Answer % Count
Yes, Active 15.91% 21
Yes, Not Active 5.30% 7
No 78.79% 104
Total 100% 132
Q16 - Does your school currently have a dream club?
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
Answer % Count
Yes 27.01% 37
No 72.99% 100
Total 100% 137
Q24 - I have created a visible safe space for immigrant and/or undocumented students through the use of a sign,
poster or sticker in my classroom or office.
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
Answer % Count
Male 16.37% 28
Female 83.63% 143
Other 0.00% 0
Total 100% 171
Q14 - How would you identify
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
Answer % Count
Asian 2.35% 4
Black/African American 3.53% 6
Hispanic 62.35% 106
White Caucasian 21.76% 37
Pacific Islander 1.76% 3
Prefer not to identify 2.35% 4
Other (Specify) 5.88% 10
Total 100% 170
Q15 - How would you identify
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
Q13 - How would you describe your position
Answer % Count
School Counselor 38.01% 65
College Access Partner 9.94% 17
School Administrtor 6.43% 11
Professor 3.51% 6
Teacher 2.34% 4
Graduate student 18.13% 31
Undergraduate student 4.09% 7
Other 17.54% 30
Total 100% 171
2016 Pre-Conference Survey Responses
Q13 - How would you describe your positionOther
Outreach/Recruitment Attorney Achievement Coach
School Social Worker Dean of students Student Development Staff
Asst. Director CA Div. Admin Assistant Program Director
Bilingual Community Liaison College Advisor Student Affairs
Director Outreach Coordinator
Advisor
Admissions Counselor
Mid-Management College Mentor Social Worker
College Advisor Program Director Department Director
Advisor Intervention Specialist
Bilingual Ed ELL Counselor
Outreach Coordinator EL Counselor
Case Manager College Mentor
What are the biggest a) needs, b) concerns and c) challenges faced by
undocumented and immigrant students in schools?
Limited access to accurate information:
• School based staff, including counselors, teachers and college counselors lack
the knowledge regarding resources and the application process for
undocumented students.
• Families do not receive information and up to date resources from the schools.
Thought Leaders Feedback
What are the biggest a) needs, b) concerns and c) challenges faced by
undocumented and immigrant students in schools?
Capacity of school staff:
School staff may not have a clear understanding of the application of laws.
Schools are not aware how to access resources.
Knowledge of who the undocumented students are in order to provided targeted supports.
Lack of training and clear application of the law.
Access to DACA/non-DACA/non-AB540 information/resources.
Ability to identify the human resources at specific colleges.
Thought Leaders Feedback
Student challenges:
Unclear about their future and options.
Students are also traumatized and experiencing emotional
stress.
Mixed family status and related guilt.
Students have a fear of exposing their status.
The need to navigate vicious political and racist climates.
Some students are unaware of undocumented status.
First generation immigrants and first generation college
students learning to negotiate unfamiliar territory/systems.
Access to financial aid pathway (see E4FC website)
Need for peer mentors.
Lack of funding for school.
Limited access to college visits.
Limited ability to attend universities in other states.
ELD classes are not college prep and do not meet college
admission requirements.
Course credits do not always accepted from other countries.
Thought Leaders Feedback What are the biggest a) needs, b) concerns and c) challenges faced by undocumented and
immigrant students in schools?
Professional development:
• Continuous universal training and quality professional development.
• Cultural competency and trauma informed training.
Professional capacity:
• Develop a confidence in professional skills to support students.
• Fears of personal and professional liability.
School-based limitation:
• Lack of policies and procedures in schools.
• The need for more resources and ability to establish college access partnerships.
• Limited or no systems to understand and/or know which students to serve.
• Lack of safe spaces.
Collaboration with other educators:
• Current political climate impacts open conversations between school counselors and other educators
• Political climate has created the space more openness and freedom of expression and philosophy
.
Thought Leaders Feedback What are the biggest a) needs, b) concerns and c) challenges faced by school counselors as
they mentor, support and advise undocumented and immigrant students in school?
Include training and guide on undocumented and
immigrant youth in the pre-service training for
school counselors.
Ensure training for college access partners is
adequate; Undocu-ally as a 4 hour training.
Recommend PPS credentialing standards reflect
training in this area.
Recommend partnerships that eliminate
competitive nature of college access work with SC.
Ensure any standardize college and career
readiness curriculum in states include this information.
Establish a state-wide leadership team that will train
and provide updates to laws and resources.
Include training on undocumented and immigrant
youth in the pre-service training for school counselors
Create an online platform to upload items used to
support undocumented/immigrant students.
Establish a parent education forum.
Encourage state school counselor associations to
prepare “vetted” presentations for school counselors
Thought Leaders Recommendations
“Networking and resources for further educating myself and students.”
“Amount of workshops available pertinent to my role as a school counselor.”
“Every topic and presentation was extremely useful and informative.”
“I was able to learn about so many resources and networking!”
“Great opportunity to meet other movers and shakers in the field.”
“All of it was incredible. Most useful was 1) having personal student stories and 2) financial aid.”
“Everything! Presenters’ expertise. Resource information. Availability of multiple workshops.”
“Loved it! Enjoyed the recognition component. Awesome organization.”
“Thank you for leading the way, being a social agent, voice for this community in the shadows.”
“Thank you for tackling this complicated situation and training and helping us develop skills and resources.”
2016 Participants Feedback
• Additional research is needed to assess the impact of this and other pre-
service and in-service training,
• Service providers would benefit from comprehensive education and training,
• Schools need training on how to support anxious students/families regarding
the implications of current restrictions to immigrants,
• Up to date resources are needed (ease of access).
Discussion and Next Steps
2017 Conference
• Three-Day Conference
• Opportunities for Networking
• Collaboration with Key Stakeholders
• ASCA Position Statement
• School Counselor College Fair
• Call for Nominations of
School Counselor and/or
College Access Partner
Questions?
Thank You!
Contact: [email protected]
Conference Website
http://go.sdsu.edu/education/cescal-conference/