College and Career Readiness

College and Career Readiness in East St. Louis School District 189

East St. Louis School District 189 is committed to preparing students for success beyond high school by building the competencies, skills, and experiences needed for postsecondary achievement. Our approach is grounded in the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness (PWR) Act, signed into Illinois law in 2016, and guided by the Illinois Postsecondary and Career Expectations (PaCE) Framework.

The PaCE Framework—adopted by the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, and Illinois Student Assistance Commission—establishes key benchmarks for college and career planning. It became law in June 2022 to ensure students are supported through each step of their journey.

Within our district, students in grades 6–12 engage in structured programming around career exploration and development, financial literacy, and postsecondary planning.

Explore our district's customized PaCE Frameworks:

• PaCE Framework for Grades 6-8 

• PaCE Framework for Grades 9–12

Department Mission Statement:

The College and Career Readiness Department's mission is to provide programs and services to complement the district’s curriculum and ensure that students graduating from the district are prepared to be successful in college or to pursue meaningful career paths that will lead to personal success.

 The College and Career Readiness Department is a team of professionals dedicated to the long-term success of every student in East St. Louis School District #189. We support our students and families by educating and empowering them with the knowledge and skills to succeed in whatever post-secondary endeavors they take on. By focusing on the National Office for School Counselor Advocacy’s Eight Components of College and Career Readiness, we are focused and intentional in the work that we do.

1. College aspirations -- Build a college-going culture based on early college awareness by nurturing in students the confidence to aspire to college and the resilience to overcome challenges along the way.
2. Academic planning for college and career readiness -- Advance students’ planning, preparation, participation, and performance in a rigorous academic program that connects to their college and career aspirations and goals.
3. Enrichment and extracurricular engagement -- Ensure equitable exposure to a wide range of extracurricular and enrichment opportunities that build leadership, nurture talents and interests, and increase engagement with school.
4. College and career exploration and selection processes -- Provide early and ongoing exposure to experiences and information necessary to make informed decisions when selecting a college or career that connects to academic preparation and future aspirations.
5. College and career assessments -- Promote preparation, participation and performance in college and career assessments by all students.
6. College affordability and planning -- Provide students and families with comprehensive information about college costs, options for paying for college, and the financial aid and scholarship processes and eligibility requirements, so they are able to plan for and afford a college education.
7. College and career admissions processes -- Ensure that students and families have an early and ongoing understanding of the college and career application and admission processes so they can find the postsecondary options that are the best fit with their aspirations and interests.
8. Transition from high school graduation to college enrollment -- Connect students to school and community resources to help students overcome barriers and ensure the successful transition from high school to college.

Counseling Department Resources:

Learn how to be college and career ready and view additional resources at www.ccr189.com

• SchooLinks: SchooLinks is a modern College and Career Readiness platform that our district has partnered with to help prepare your student for life after high school. The platform offers more than 80 experiences, such as career interests, inventory assessments, college and career search, internship matching, portfolio and more. You can launch SchooLinks from your Clever Portal. 

• Order Transcripts: Current students can order transcripts through SchooLinks:  Alumni should order transcripts through Parchment.  

• Scholarships:

  • Students may visit SchooLinks for scholarship searches and updates. SchooLinks is available through the Clever platform.

  • St. Louis Graduates Scholarship Central

  • United Negro College Fund (UNCF)

  • Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)

 

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Graduation Requirement

As a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma, the parent or guardian of each student or, if a student is at least 18 years of age or legally emancipated, the student must comply with either of the following:

(1) File a FAFSA with the United States Department of Education or, if applicable, an application for State financial aid.

(2) File a waiver indicating that the parent or guardian or, if applicable, the student understands what the FAFSA and application for State financial aid are and has chosen not to file an application.

Upon request, the school will provide a student and his or her parent or guardian any support or assistance necessary to comply with this requirement.

A school district must award a high school diploma to a student who is unable to meet this requirement due to extenuating circumstances, as determined by the school district, if (i) the student has met all other graduation requirements, and (ii) the principal attests that the school district has made a good faith effort to assist the student or, if applicable, his or her parent or guardian in filing an application or a waiver.

The following individual(s) has/have been designated by the school to assist senior students with questions related to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (known as FAFSA) or to refer senior students to other appropriate resources.

The school offers a variety of services aimed at helping senior students complete FAFSA paperwork, including the opportunity to receive help during the school day in completing the student’s portion of the FAFSA application.

FAFSA Contact Person:

Kay Rhodes Brown, Assistant Principal

kay.rhodes@estl189.com or 618-646-6700

Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to start your financial aid process for college.