The complex job of preparing students to navigate their options for college and career is more important than ever, and the demands on school counselors continue to grow. 

To help schools address this need, SREB’s Go Alliance has expanded and relaunched its online training aimed at strengthening college and career counseling. The comprehensive program is designed for school counselors, principals, teacher-advisors, graduation coaches and staff of college access programs. 

Launched in 2008 as the College and Career Counseling Initiative, the program began 2016 with a new name, Go Alliance Academy, with redesigned modules, additional courses and a new, state-of-the-art online learning platform. 

The courses cover practical ways to help students understand today’s career options, find a career of interest and develop an academic plan to prepare for it. School counselors learn to help parents and students understand the full range of postsecondary education options, including workforce certification, technical diplomas, and associate and bachelor’s degrees, and guide them through the complexities of financial aid and college applications. Go Alliance Academy includes a special focus on students from low-income backgrounds who would be the first in their families to pursue education after high school. 

93 percent implemented action plans they developed in the program. 
95 percent would recommend the training to colleagues.

  — 2014 survey of 500+ trainees in seven states

Sixteen states have already joined the Go Alliance Academy to make the training available to their educators. 

To find out how your state, district or university can participate, contact SREB Go Alliance Director Alice Anne Bailey, (404) 879-5601. 

The training program can be used to meet the Every Student Succeeds Act recommendations for well-rounded educational opportunities in Title IV, Section 4107, including: 1) college and career guidance and counseling programs, 2) postsecondary education and career awareness and exploration activities, 3) training counselors to effectively use labor market information in assisting students with postsecondary education and career planning, and 4) federal financial aid awareness activities.