FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
ROBERTO MARTINEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT
PERSON
Name: Dr. Beverly Sermons
Phone: (850) 245-9488
Email:
beverly.sermons@fldoe.org
K-12: 2005-54
May 9, 2005
M E M O R A N D U M
TO: District School Superintendents
FROM: Jim Warford, K-12 Chancellor
SUBJECT: College Goal Sunday
As part of the Department’s goal to improve student access to higher education, this
memorandum is to inform and update you on the development of the College Goal Sunday
(CGS) program as Florida prepares to host this event in February 2006. Guidance counselors
from local school districts are partnering with community college and university representatives
to implement the CGS program in an effort to increase access to quality postsecondary education
options for students from low-income, first-generation, and families who have no college-going
tradition. Increased financial aid for college will serve to improve the quality of education
options for district graduates as they transition from high school to the postsecondary arena.
The College Goal Sunday program is a volunteer, charitable program designed to help targeted
families and first-generation college students complete the federal
Free Application for Federal
Student Aid
, or FAFSA. Plans are being made to host the CGS event at various sites throughout
the state, free of charge to families. With the assistance of guidance counselors and financial aid
professionals, College Goal Sunday will provide families with step-by-step instructions on
completing and submitting their financial aid forms.
JIM WARFORD
K-12 CHANCELLOR
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
May 9, 2005
Page Two
The CGS steering committee reviewed free and reduced lunch data to identify the high schools
in Florida that potentially have the greatest number of students that fit the description of those for
whom the CGS program was devised. Twelve high schools were selected based on these criteria
and are representatives of the five school district service areas. Plans are being made to host
events in the areas noted on the attached form in February 2006. Additional CGS sites will be
launched in subsequent years.
The steering committee has hired a public relations firm and is preparing a statewide media bliss
to “get the word out” about the upcoming February 2006 event. As schools close for the summer
and reconvene in the fall, further information will be disseminated to the districts and local high
school guidance counselors. If you would like additional information and details about the
College Goal Sunday program, visit the national website at www.CollegeGoalSundayUSA.org
or contact Dr. Beverly Sermons by calling (850) 245-9488 or email beverly.sermons@fldoe.org.
A list of the statewide steering committee members is also provided for your reference.
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