Preparing for high school & post high school success

1. Preparing for high school & post high school success

2. Preparing for success • It is never to early to begin thinking about preparing for high school and post high school plans. • The pathway that is set for students begins in middle school.

3. What does preparing mean? • There are many options after high school. • Work • Military • Trades • Apprentice programs • Proprietary schools • College

4. Preparing for success • What does it mean, “preparing for high school success and beyond? • How do I prepare my child and when? • How do parents prepare themselves? • What role does standardized testing, class offerings, and finances play in all of this process? • Where do we go for help in answering all of these questions?

5. Preparing for success • Adults age 18 and older with a bachelors degree earned an average of $51,554 in 2004, while those with a high school diploma earned $28,645, according to new tabulations released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Those without a high school diploma earned an average of $19,169.

6. Preparing for success • No matter what path is selected, there are some basic facts about preparing for a post high school life. One assumption we are making is that everyone is striving to earn at least a “living wage.” • “Living wage” is what a family of four needs to earn for basic necessities. The US government has set the living wage at $38,500.

7. How do I prepare my child and when? • Spend a lot of time talking about goals and what is needed to reach those goals. • Research jobs and what will be required to enter that field. • Do not panic if your child does not know what they want to be, many things change between age 12-25. Do not make the process a stressful situation. • Also realize that over 30% of the jobs that your child will be competing for have not even been created yet.

8. How do I parents prepare themselves? • Be involved in creating your child’s 4 year high school plan. • Be aware of the recommended college core of classes: 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 3 years of science, and 3 years of social studies, and 2 years of foreign language. • Honors and AP courses provide a challenge and rigor; this has proven to lead to future success. • Go over standardized test (EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT, and PSAE) to identify strengths and areas to improve to better prepare your child for the upcoming challenge of college.

9. What role does my child’s 4 year course selection plan play? • To make along story short, the more rigorous a students course load is, the better they will do in college. • The higher the level of math reached, the more likely success will be attained in college. • Students who take at least one AP (advanced placement) course do better in college. • The “senior” year should not be viewed as the last time to have some fun. But at the same time, school should be an enjoyable experience.

10. What role does standardized testing plan? • Scores from the different standardized tests indicate student strength’s and areas to improve. • If my child scores low, does that mean they will never do well in college? NO! Standardized test scores are used as information to improve, not label and lock into a certain future path.

11. What role should finances play in deciding whether or not to do in college? • NONE! • Remember, do not eliminate any college because of costs before receiving financial assistance information. • Remember to check with college officials for accurate costs.

12. Where do I go if I need help ? • The place to start is your child’s guidance counselors. • There are many web sites, one of the best is www.act.org The ACT web site has lots valuable information, practice tests, and other resources for students and parents.