Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities

NACAC has combined the Guiding the Way to Higher Education: Step-by-Step to College Workshops for Students curricula with resources from the Families, Counselors and Communities Together (FCCT) manual to create the Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities.

Revised in 2017, the curricula—presented in four sections, for elementary school students (grades K-5), middle school students (grades 6-8), early high school students (grades 9 through first semester 11) and late high school students (grades 11-12), offer training for counselors and others who work with underrepresented and under served students to provide comprehensive tools for meeting the needs of first-generation students and their families.

Developed by NACAC members Mary Lee Hoganson, Phyllis Gill and Joan Mudge, the Step by Step curricula were presented at the NACAC national conference in 2008. NACAC Human Relations Committee members Nancy Caine, Patty Montague and Bridget Herrera conducted training on the FCCT manual during the session, and the program has had continued success.

Since its creation, the Step by Step curricula has been updated and maintained by NACAC’s Education and Training Team; the Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee; and the Professional Development Committee. The Elementary School modules were created with the assistance of ASCA School Counselor of the Year Finalists, Rebecca Lallier and Samantha Vidal.

Step by Step: College Awareness and Planning: Download for free. 

Download Elementary School (Grades K-5)
Download Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Download Early High School (Grade 9-Semester 1 of Grade 11)
Download Late High School (Grades 11-12)
Download Additional Resources (Financial Aid)

Powerpoint Presentations:

Building a Foundation for Educational Success
Setting the Stage for Dreams to Become Reality
Charting a Challenging High School Experience
Follow the Road to College
Paying for College