Take Action
Alaskans! Take Action!
In partnership and collaboration with AlaskaCAN – listed below are action steps for you to take to show support for our goal of 65% by 2025! By working together across the community, you can join thousands of people who are already working to improve student success and educational attainment. Here are some ways that you can take action:
Educator Action Steps
Secondary
- Encourage students to plan as early as 9th grade (if not earlier!) for postsecondary education or career training by taking the right courses.
- Make students aware of the importance of setting goals for graduation.
- Encourage students to meet with their counselor and set a goal for their postsecondary pathway.
- Help students research and investigate different pathways as they prepare for life after high school.
- Teach budgeting skills so that students are prepared for paying for postsecondary education or career training.
- Encourage real life experiences like getting a part-time job or volunteering in the community.
- Give positive feedback and direct students towards the resources available to them to plan for what comes next.
- Remind students about application deadlines.
- Reinforce that ALL students should explore, plan, and prepare for one of the multitude of postsecondary education and career training opportunities.
Postsecondary
- Talk to your students about graduating on time. For undergraduate students, this is typically at least 15 credits a semester to finish a certificate in 1 year, an Associate’s degree in 2 years, or a Bachelor’s degree in 4 years.
- Encourage your students to meet with an advisor early to explore various career options so they can map out a career plan.
- Explain to your students that staying on track will save them money and increase their odds of graduating.
- Encourage students to explore careers and starting salaries associated with their intended major as early as possible.
- Encourage students to take advantage of the Career Resource Center.
- Encourage students to prepare for and participate in annual College & Career Fairs hosted by various organizations across Alaska.
- Be informed about available resources, and direct students to them:
- Tutoring support
- Career Resource Center
- Clubs & activities
- Specialized support for students with disabilities, from specific cultural backgrounds, or in specific majors
Community & Business Action Steps
Community & Business
- Become a member of AlaskaCAN and share opportunities within your organization through email, website, newsletters, etc.
- Speak to family and friends about the importance of postsecondary education or career training.
- Encourage your family and friends to pledge their support for 65% by 2025.
- Allow flexible work schedules for employees to get a college degree or career training certificate.
- Volunteer at a school in your community.
- Participate in annual College & Career Fairs to educate students about postsecondary education and career training opportunities.
- Provide legislative support and testimony in support of postsecondary education and career training.
- Provide monetary assistance to employees (and/or their families) pursuing postsecondary education or career training.
- Participate in the annual AlaskaCAN! Conference and Spring and Fall AlaskaCAN! Convenings.
Parent & Mentor Action Steps
Birth to Pre-Kindergarten
- Read to your child at least 15 minutes every day.
- Create fun, learning games at home; i.e. naming shapes, colors, letters, etc.
- Enrolling your child in preschool will help prepare them for kindergarten academically and socially.
Elementary School: Kindergarten to 5th Grade
- Learn about the Alaska standards.
- Get to know your child’s teacher though parent-teacher nights, joining information sessions at your child’s school, and attending parent-teacher conferences.
- Review helpful grade-specific resources available for parents.
Middle School: 6th Grade to 8th Grade
- Learn about the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS).
- Start contributing to an education savings plan, such as Alaska529.
- Support your child in their academic learning with the tips listed here.
High School: 9th Grade to 12th Grade
- Assist your child with filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Review with your child the courses they are enrolled in to ensure they can qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS).
- With your child, review high school graduation requirements and discuss the types of courses they may be interested in taking that will help them prepare for careers of interest.
- Encourage your child to take the ACT, SAT, and/or the WorkKeys exam.
- Talk to your child about different educational/career training options after high school graduation. Many schools now offer virtual tours and information sessions.
- Encourage your child to meet with their advisor or guidance counselor to ensure they are taking the right classes for graduation and to potentially earn scholarships, such as the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS).
Postsecondary Education
- Help your child create a budget, and assist them with managing their money.
- Attend orientation at a postsecondary institution and look into first-year programs to help your child with the transition.
- A lot of parents and youth may have heard of but still don’t know much about apprenticeship programs, which are tuition free (Earn while you Learn!), and as great as college.
- Encourage your child to make a plan to complete their program on-time, and to connect with their academic advisor regarding course selection and scheduling.
Students & Adult Learners Action Steps
Middle School: 6th Grade to 8th Grade
- Check out AKCIS (Alaska Career Information System) to create a portfolio where you can make and save plans for your education and career.
- Talk to school counselor about your goals for the future and map out a plan to get there.
- Talk to your teacher about your grades and areas you can improve upon. If you are struggling, ask for help.
High School: 9th Grade to 12th Grade
- Get involved in school and community activities. Students who are involved in extracurricular activities learn new skills and tend to do better in school. It also shows postsecondary institutions your passions, interests, and accomplishments outside of the classroom.
- Enroll in courses to help qualify for the Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS).
- Take the ACT, SAT, and/or the WorkKeys exam.
- Meet with your advisor to map out a plan to graduate on time in the field you are interested in.
- Apply to summer learning opportunities:
Postsecondary Education
- Remember to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for every year you’re attending a postsecondary institution.
- Meet regularly with your academic advisor to discuss your education and career plan and financial aid options.
- Choose a preferred program of study early and stick with it.
- Keep up your grades.
- Seek an internship or summer research opportunity in your field of study.
- Take 15 credits a semester to ensure you earn your degree/certificate on time. Stay in regular contact with your academic advisor.
- Develop and update your personal portfolio and resume to prepare for job applications.
- Prepare for and participate in annual College & Career Fairs.
- Inspire, encourage, and motivate younger generations in your community to join you in pursuing education and career training after high school!
Adult Learner
- Identify a support group – whether a friend or family member – to encourage and motivate you to pursue your postsecondary education or career training goals.
- Be familiar with careers and starting salaries associated with your intended program of study.
- Speak to an advisor to develop a plan for timely degree or certificate completion. Be sure to inquire about placement tests, credit for prior learning, and any options to help you accelerate your path to a degree/certificate.
- Make an informed decision about part-time study – it may allow you to work more, but statistically speaking lowers your odds of graduating on time.
- Research Federal Student Aid (FSA) and Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) sites and apply for federal and state financial aid.