The California Department of Education (CDE) has partnered with the California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) to enhance access to college and career planning resources for students in grades 6-12. Below are the primary takeaways:
CDE Basic Accounts on CaliforniaColleges.edu
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Overview:
- Basic Accounts are automatically created for public school students in grades 6-12 based on CALPADS data.
- These accounts offer free access to college and career planning tools on CaliforniaColleges.edu.
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Features:
- Career Assessments: Identify interests, personality traits, and learning styles.
- Exploration Tools: Search for colleges, majors, and career paths.
- 11th-Grade Financial Aid Lessons: Meet Education Code Section 51225.8 requirements for FAFSA or CADAA education.
- Digital Portfolio: Track academic, career, and financial aid plans.
- FAFSA/CADAA Launch: Streamlined application support.
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Limitations:
- No access to tools requiring 9th-12th grade transcript data. LEAs must transition to Partner Accounts for this functionality by 2026.
Accessing Basic Accounts
- Students can register by providing:
- District and school name.
- Student ID or Statewide Student Identifier (SSID).
- Date of birth and an email address (school or personal).
- Detailed registration tutorials are available in the Resource Hub.
Meeting Financial Aid Requirements
- Background:
- California EC Section 51225.8 requires all students to receive FAFSA or CADAA information by grade 11.
- Support:
- 11th-grade financial aid lessons on CaliforniaColleges.edu assist LEAs in compliance.
- Tutorials on navigating financial aid tools are accessible here.
Resources and Support
- Contact for Help: Educators can reach the CCGI team for assistance with accounts or resources at this link.
- Learn More: Additional information is available on the CCGI website.
Next Steps for LEAs
- Compliance Deadlines:
- LEAs must provide Partner Accounts for transcript-informed tools by June 30, 2026.
- Engagement:
By leveraging these tools, LEAs can ensure students are well-equipped for postsecondary success.
Click here to learn more about MeasureED's CCGI Data Support services!