The College and Career Planning in Middle Grades mini-course was developed for practicing professional school counselors, pre-service school counselors, and college access professionals, includes four sessions that address the skills and knowledge required to counsel middle grade students for success after high school. Participants will be engaged in building knowledge and skills in several areas including transitions from elementary to middle school, the creation of an equity-based school culture, using data to support student success, and helping students to develop successful academic mindsets and skills. Engage in constructive discussions in a leaning community during each session, and complete practical, hands-on activities throughout the course.

Each class is made up of four sessions culminating in a Final Action Plan. We estimate that the workload for this course is around four hours per week, which is reflected in the awarding of SCECHs.

• Session 1: Understanding the Barriers to Postsecondary Education
• Session 2: What is a Culture of Postsecondary Equity?
• Session 3: Using Data to Address Equity and Create Early Warning Systems
• Session 4: Helping Students Develop Mindsets and Skills For Academic And Career Success

The course is five weeks long, beginning Feb. 23 and ending March 29, with a one-hour virtual meeting every week that is discussion-based and interactive in nature (come ready to engage!). The fifth meeting is an optional office hours if you need help with your final assignment. Attending meetings is not mandatory but highly encouraged; SCECHs will be reduced if any meetings are missed, but it will not affect your standing in the course. The meeting schedule is as follows:

• Feb. 23, 11 a.m.-noon
• March 2, 11 a.m.-noon
• March 9, 11 a.m.-noon
• March 20, 11 a.m.-noon
• OPTIONAL OFFICE HOURS (no SCECH credit attached): March 23, 11 a.m.-noon

MCAN is offering this mini-course in partnership with College Futures and GoAlliance. It will be facilitated by Rebekah Ward, a practicing Michigan school counselor at Lincoln Middle School.

We anticipate offering 10 SCECHs in college prep and selection and 10 SCECHs in career exploration upon successful completion of the course. The maximum amount of 20 total SCECHs will be awarded to individuals who complete the entire course, including participation in all live virtual sessions. 1 SCECH will be deducted for every live session missed. Reduced SCECHs for partial completion of coursework will not be awarded.

The mini-course course is open to all school counselors, college and career advisers, and educators. However, a limited number of seats are available and priority consideration will be granted to school counselors. Remaining seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional names will be placed on a waiting list. Registrants who secure a seat will receive a $250 scholarship to access the course at no cost.

The course is open to all school counselors, college and career advisers, and educators. However, a limited number of seats are available and priority consideration will be granted to school counselors. Remaining seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Additional names will be placed on a waiting list. The cost of this course is covered by MCAN in an effort to remove barriers for professional development opportunities, so it is at no direct cost to registrants.

The deadline to register is Thursday, Feb. 19.

Questions? Contact Kiersten Nolan, MCAN strategy manager for high school innovation, at kiersten@micollegeaccess.org or 517-896-1678.