Chapter 8: Emerging State Policies and Programs Designed to Support Parental Involvement in Postsecondary Planning

While increasing numbers of students believe they will go to college, many youth and their parents do not receive the information they need to achieve this goal. This paper examines statistics comparing students’ educational aspirations to postsecondary attainment; highlights economic projections of the need for postsecondary credentials among members of the future workforce; reviews research on the important role parents play in college planning, preparation, and selection; and offers an overview of state policies intended to help ensure all parents and students—and particularly first-generation college-goers—receive the information and support they need. Such policies address college entrance expectations, goal-setting and course selection, annual updates on student progress toward graduation goals, and information on completing college admissions and financial aid applications.