Carlos Leon and fifth grade daughter Devin are already preparing for college.
By Christine Senteno
Editor
Carlos Leon labels himself a “very aggressive parent” when it comes to getting all the information he can about getting his fifth grade daughter into college, a decision he has already made for her.
“She is going to UCLA first, then after that she can do whatever she wants,” explains the UCLA alum.
Leon’s story is like many parents of color. A multilingual poll released by New America Media last summer revealed 80 percent of Latino parents and 86 percent of African-American parents expect their children to obtain at least a four-year college degree.
But Leon said he knows he has the advantage over many parents. He learned, when he was a 17-year-old high school student supporting himself, about all the course work required to get into college. Later, as he entered the work-study program as a student at UCLA, his job was to educate parents and students about the classes required to get into the UC schools. Now, he said, as a parent, his daughter’s school has not provided him with what he needs. “I get no information at all. Nothing,” said Leon.
Karen Hughes admits she knows little about the A-G classes her niece, Keshondra Bain will need to apply to a UC or Cal State University. Hughes is active in her niece’s high school education. She makes sure Bain is doing her reading and homework daily. The family does not watch television between Sunday and Thursday night. If there is a problem at school, Hughes talks to the counselors, deans and principal.
Both Leon and Hughes see creating a college-going culture in their home as an absolute necessity. They agree the support needs to come as early as elementary school.
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Removing the Roadblocks: Fair College Opportunities For All California Students offered these guidelines for students with college aspirations:
By the end of elementary school:
| Develop and sustain a positive view of school |
| Be re-designated as English Proficient status (if applicable) |
| Score at proficiency levels in mathematics and literacy |
| Learn about college, understand that financial aid is available, and develop college aspirations |
By the end of middle school:
| Score at proficiency levels in mathematics and literacy |
| Complete pre-requisites for high school college-preparatory curriculum (e.g., pre-algebra or algebra, introductory foreign language). |
| Get good grades |
| Know the requirements for college admission, including courses and entrance tests |
| Plan high school schedule |
| Learn about the cost of college and about available financial aid |
High school:
| Grade 9 & 10: Take college-preparatory (A-G) courses & pass with a C or better |
| Grade 10: Pass California’s High School Exit Exam |
| Grade 10: Learn about college entrance tests and prepare to take them |
| End of grade 10: Pass with C or better up to 8 college-preparatory (A-G) courses |
| Grade 11: Pass additional college preparatory courses (A-G) with C or better |
| Grade 11: Begin making college choices |
| Grade 11: Take required college entrance tests |
| Grade 12: Apply for college |
| Grade 12: Apply for financial aid |
| End of grade 12: Finish the entire sequence of at least 15 college prep (A-G) classes, following the university-specified pattern among 7 subject areas, and passing with C or better. Graduate from high school eligible and ready for college. |
