Families In Schools (FIS) is thrilled to announce that due to the generous support of The Kresge Foundation FIS will be developing and implementing Transition to College a parent curriculum that will help address the transition of low-income and immigrant students from high school to college.
The need for a Transition to College program is supported by statistics demonstrating low college persistence rates among low-income, first-generation college goers. In 2011, the Pell Institute reported that only 11% of low-income, first-generation college goers receive their Bachelor’s degrees within six years of enrollment, compared with a 54% attainment rate for students who were neither low-income nor first-generation college goers.
With the support of The Kresge Foundation, FIS will expand their portfolio to include a Transition to College curriculum and enhance the ability for parents to support their student’s college aspirations, placement, and completion. CEO of Families In Schools, Oscar E. Cruz said, “as the first in my family to go to college, I personally know the importance of having strong family support. FIS expects this tool to compliment the work that schools and non-profits are already offering to first-time college goers.”
Since 2004, Families In Schools has been offering the Transition to Middle School and Transition to High School curricula. The Transitions to College curriculum will serve parents of 11th and 12th grade students planning to attend post-secondary education. The curriculum will provide interactive lessons on: financial aid, making the right college choice, what to expect in college, letting go, parent/child communication in college, among others.
To learn more about this work or explore partnerships with Families In Schools, please contact Carolina Hernandez-Malone, Director of Programs at chernandez@familiesinschools.org.
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The Kresge Foundation is a $3.6 billion private, national foundation that works to expand opportunities in America’s cities through grantmaking and social investing in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services, and community development in Detroit. In 2015, the Board of Trustees approved 371 grants totaling $125.2 million, and nine social investment commitments totaling $20.3 million. For more information, visit kresge.org.
For fifteen years, Families In Schools (FIS) has provided capacity building to schools and organizations to effectively empower and engage parents in supporting their child’s education. Currently, FIS partners with over 400 schools and organizations state and nationwide to help families fulfill their role as their child’s first teacher.
