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California State University, Long Beach
Cal-SOAP, California Student Opportunity & Access Program
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Early Outreach Information for Elementary Target: Grades 4 & 5

School Serviced: McKinley Elementary School

Cal-Soap provides the I’m Going to College program (link) at elementary schools. The mission of the I’m Going to College program is to educate fourth and fifth grade children and their parents from federally designated Title One schools about the benefits of college. As you know, many of these children have few college role models and little knowledge about college opportunities. Cal-SOAP is dedicated to continuing the IGTC program by providing and paying for classroom lessons, IGTC handbooks, a parent night, 3 school buses, backpacks and a “College Students for the Day” fieldtrip for all 4th and/ or 5th grade students.

I’m Going to College (IGTC) elementary school program

Recommended Grades: 4th or 5th

7 Week IGTC Program:

  • 5 weeks of Classroom Curriculum
  • 6th week: College Student for the Day Fieldtrip
  • 7th week: Graduation Ceremony

IGTC Program Goals:

  1. To develop aspirations and dreams in young children of going to college in the future.
  2. To teach about the different types of colleges, careers, and financial aid.
  3. To reinforce the concept that students must begin preparing early for college by working hard, getting good grades and attending school regularly.

IGTC Program components:

  1. Trained college students come into 4th or 5th grade classrooms once a week over 5 weeks to deliver the I’m Going to College classroom curriculum.
  2. Students are given an IGTC student handbook to keep and use during the program.
  3. Students participate in hands-on classroom activities and homework assignments related to the topics being taught are given.
  4. A College Corner is created in the school library with college brochures, posters, and information and is used in one of the classroom assignments.
  5. I’m Going to College Family Night event is provided in Spanish and English to provide parents and family members with similar college-related information so that parents can encourage their children and help them to prepare early. Refreshments and daycare is provided to encourage attendance at the event.
  6. The culminating activity is a “College Student for the Day” fieldtrip to a local university or community college provides students with a simulated college experience.
    1. Students fill out a college application and application for financial aid prior to the fieldtrip.
      1. Upon turning in their college application when arriving at the college they are assigned to a group leader and are given their “college class schedule”.
      2. When they turn in their financial aid application they are given an I’m Going to College backpack.
    2. All students participate in one college class, one college activity and a college tour.
  7. The I’m Going to College Graduation Ceremony is the final component of the program. Each student is given a certificate of completion, a t-shirt, dictionary and a poster outlining all the steps to get to college.
    • I’m Going To College Teachers Guide (PDF)
    • I’m Going To College Sample Agenda (PDF)
    • I’m Going To College Sample Grant Proposal (PDF)

Helpful Resources to Help You Get to College