How to Roll out Guide to Graduation, College, and Career

We are so excited to bring a brand-new resource, the DCPS Student’s Guide to Graduation, Career, and College (The Guide), to our high school students and families. The guide will provide individualized information, specific to each student’s progress to date on graduation along with information on college and career pathways.

The Guide is meant to be a resource that will support a collaborative partnership between school staff, students, and families. It was initiated by demand from our community, and the design was a collaborative process between families, students, teachers, partners, central office staff and others. We want to continue that collaboration through the roll out of The Guide. This document offers ideas and suggestions for incorporating The Guide into your existing work.

Goals of The Guide Roll Out:

  • Students, staff, and families know that this resource is coming and know to look out for it in the mail and on Aspen.
  • Students and families know where to go when they have a question or want to discuss The Guide.
  • The Guide is incorporated into existing opportunities to talk about graduation, college, and career with students and families.

Recommended Points of Contact:

  • College and Career Coordinator
  • Counselors
  • Pathways Coordinator
  • Family Engagement Committee
  • NAF Coordinators

 

School-based Partners

Leveraging your school-based partners is a great way to address limited capacity in your staff, and help partners align their work to school goals. Partners can access the guide if they complete a data security pledge. They can reach out to natalie.treadgold@k12.dc.gov for more information. We’ve engaged several partners on the guide already:

  • College Success Foundation
  • Life Pieces to Masterpieces
  • Asian American LEAD
  • Reach Incorporated
  • BUILD Metro DC

 

Engagement Events

What events do you already have on the calendar where you could introduce or highlight The Guide? We’re happy to collaborate with you on content/support for events. Reach out to natalie.treadgold@k12.dc.gov.

  • College Night
  • PTA/PTO Meetings
  • LSAT Meetings
  • Principal Coffee
  • Parent Teacher Conference Day (May 28)
  • Athletic Events and Student Performances (set up a table with resources at check in)

School Activities:

What opportunities do you have to build the guide in to your school day?

  • Homeroom or Advisory
  • AVID
  • Peer Forward
  • Push in to classrooms
  • Counselor office hours
  • SAT Prep Class (post SAT date)
  • Afterschool clubs and activities
  • Parent Resource Center

Communication:

Leverage your communication channels to share Guide information and resources with families and students. We’ve included some sample language in the resources below.

  • Email newsletter
  • Text and Robocall campaign (Blackboard)
  • Social Media posts (photos of students using the guide!)
  • Parent Listservs
  • LSAT Newsletter (reach out to your Community Action Team coordinator)
  • School Website

Click here to download the best practices for guide roll out document.