EdWeek Highlights I Know I Can and The Ohio State University

Education experts say that combining the efforts of parents, schools and the community is key in helping youth to move toward a successful future.  In line with this, the initiative Blueprint College: 2.0 was recently highlighted in an article in the national publication EdWeek.

Blueprint College: 2.0, a college-readiness initiative supported by the Columbus City School district, The Ohio State University and the Columbus nonprofit organization I Know I Can, is a 4-part series of workshops for CCS middle-schoolers and their parents.  The initiative reaches out to 11,000 students, the majority of whom are from underprivileged families.  The workshops teach youth about the role of college in helping them to achieve success, and teach parents about practical processes like applications, financial aid and planning ahead. To date, Blueprint College: 2.0 has helped more than 1,200 Columbus City Schools families put together a plan for college.

Amy Wade, director of early awareness and grants at I Know I Can, points out that it’s often not a lack of concern for their children that keeps parents from helping to prepare youth for the future, but a lack of know-how.  Blueprint College: 2.0 can be a crucial solution for these parents, helping them understand how to help their children plan for the next step in their education.

Blueprint College students putting together a college puzzle.