I_HigherEd_2019A 08/26/2019 09:10:27 AM Committee Summary

Ms. Smith discussed roadblocks to access that urban and
suburban students experience. She stated that the number one barrier for
students is the financial cost of tuition, books, fees, and room and board,
or the total cost of attendance. Students have also cited a complicated
admissions process and having to work part time to help their families
make ends meet as barriers to obtaining a degree or certificate. She discussed
the school counselor ratio in the state, which is currently one counselor
to approximately 840 students, on average.  She stated that the recommended
ratio is one counselor to 215 students.  Currently, Adams 12 Five
Star Schools has a ratio of one counselor to 400 students. Ms. Smith discussed
the process of applying for a Pell Grant, stating that the maximum amount
of aid given to Pell Grant students is $6,195 and eligibility is determined
by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) guidelines. She
also discussed concurrent enrollment participation by students and student
participation in apprenticeship programs that offer compensation for their
work in addition to credit toward a certification.  Ms. Smith went
on to discuss the low rate of FAFSA completion and return on investment
for certain college degrees. She also talked about the current educator
shortage in the state.

Mr. McClain discussed the ratio of counselors to students in his school district and how the CSCA assists counselors in the state. He talked about student roadblocks from a rural perspective, stating that rural communities tend to have higher poverty levels, leading to financial barriers.  He also talked about the greater number of first generation college students that come from rural areas and programs in place in rural counties to assist these students.  He talked about the School Counselor Corps Grant Program, which awards funding to eligible school districts and schools to increase the number of counselors at high schools.  He suggested that this program be expanded.

The panel answered questions from the committee about the School Counselor Grant Program and whether it would be beneficial to expand the program into middle schools. More information on the program can be found here: http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/school_counselor_corps_grant_-_fact_sheet.pdf.  Mr. Lee stated that there have been expansions to the program and the available counselors, but funding for the program has never been increased. Mr. Lee also discussed the importance of having middle school counselors. The panel answered committee questions regarding parent involvement in post secondary counseling.

The panel continued to answer questions from the committee regarding completion of career and technical education programs and barriers counselors face depending on their district. College and career readiness for students suffer the most if resources are limited and if they are facing additional barriers at home. The panel discussed how to promote vocational jobs in rural areas in agriculture and fire mitigation, in high schools so that students know those jobs exist. The panel discussed Naviance, a third-party college and career readiness program that some districts employ to assist with post secondary counseling.

The panel continued to answer committee questions regarding barriers to entry into the counseling profession and discussed how the CSCA is working to increase recruitment by reaching out to undergraduate programs.  The panel stated that rule changes from the Colorado Department of Education regarding requirements for school counselors may attract more people to the profession.

The committee recessed.

The committee came back to order.

Sarah Pingel, Senior Policy Analyst, Education Commission of the States (ECS), and Damion Pechota, Policy Analyst, ECS, introduced themselves to the committee and gave a brief background of ECS. Ms. Pingel and Mr. Pechota discussed the recently conducted education consumer data survey done in partnership with Strada and Gallup. The survey is representative of all demographics and all states and the District of Columbia. The presentation can be found online here:http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/committees/2017/survey_presentation_co_final_for_cmte.pdf. Ms. Pingel reviewed the data from the survey with the committee. She discussed the main reasons students are not currently enrolled in higher education courses, the largest reasons being that students are already employed and cannot sacrifice earnings, in addition to the financial cost of higher education. Ms. Pingel discussed possible policy changes that would impact students' likelihood to enroll in classes.  Policy changes include a lower-cost tuition or free college, courses that match employer needs, guaranteed employment outcomes, and courses that match a specific schedule. Ms. Pingel answered questions from the committee.

Mr. Pechota discussed the implications of the survey data with the committee, including that students with all types of post secondary credentials report value and employability from their post secondary experience.

Ms. Pingel and Mr. Pechota answered questions from the committee.