“Research from the Institute for Higher Education Leadership and Policy shows that students who entered a program [of study] in their first year were twice as likely to complete a certificate, degree or transfer as students who entered a program after their first year. First-year concentrators were nearly 50 percent more likely to complete than those who entered a program in their second year, and the rates of completion fell sharply for students entering a program of study later than their second year.” (page 30)

Students who have completed a GFSF program in high school, arrive at college with not only an informed declared major but also:

• An online 10-year Plan
• A unique Skills-based Education Plan

Students who completed the GFSF program in high school should be encouraged to continue updating their online 10-year plans and sharing it with both their instructors and advisors.  With this information teachers can personalize their class assignments and counselors can help design course plans that not only meet student career and life goals, but also assure completion in the most timely manner.

What about students who arrive on campus without a 10-year Plan or an informed declared major?

Any student arriving at college without an informed declared major should complete a College Success or Freshman Experience course using the college version of the GFSF curriculum.  This distinctive course includes not only the development of an online career and education 10-year plan but also the study skills required to become a self-directed learner.

With this campus-wide Student Success initiative, College counselors and Instructors can be trained on the use of the online 10-year Plan in order to personalize their work with each student.

	MediaCareers
	Partners or collaborators Foundation for California Community Colleges George Washington University’s Freshman Transition Initiative California Community College Chancellor's Task Force on Student Success Academic Innovations LLC UCSB Graduate School of Education California Dropout Research Project UC Educational Evaluation Center, Gevirtz Graduate School of Education	Eastern Oregon University’s College of Education California SB1070 Coordinators from select regions Santa Barbara Foundation Santa Barbara City College Dual Enrollment Department Carpinteria and Santa Barbara Unified School Districts Santa Barbara County Office of Education’s Partners in Education