Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:

Supporting the Arthur S. Marmaduke High School Counselor Award

The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to continue supporting the annual Arthur S. Marmaduke High School Counselor Award. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020–21 award.

I encourage all school staff to promote this award and nomination opportunity across high school campuses. During the pandemic, there has been a decline in college preparation and enrollment, so our outstanding high school counselors are more important than ever.

This program is sponsored by the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) as part of a statewide effort to recognize outstanding California high school counselors who demonstrate exemplary skills in helping students fulfill their dreams of going to college. CSAC is the state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students attending public and private universities, colleges, and vocational schools in California.

CSAC solicits nominations recommending a California high school counselor who demonstrates effectiveness serving students in preparing for and pursuing their higher education. The winner will be chosen by CSAC and will receive a plaque; a $1,500 check; and be recognized statewide for their leadership during a virtual award ceremony.

Candidates will be evaluated based on their work to educate students about financial aid opportunities, their participation in events such as college fairs and workshops, their impact on FAFSA/CADAA completion rates, what they have done to help students prepare for college, and their support for underrepresented and first-generation families.

To nominate a California high school counselor who deserves statewide recognition to be the next Arthur S. Marmaduke High School Counselor of the Year Award Winner, review the eligibility criteria and click the link below to submit the online nomination form by July 30, 2021.

Submit your nomination form today using the CSAC online survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/T8SSPXY [Note: this link is no longer active].

For information on eligibility criteria and the nomination process, visit the CSAC Arthur S. Marmaduke High School Counselor Award web page at https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/arthur-s-marmaduke-high-school-counselor-award.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction