Guidance Resources

Welcome to theClass of 2012 Junior Parent Information Seminar!We’re glad you’re here. It’s an important night.

Guidance Resources • Your school counselor • A-E Denise Lang • Fa-K Ann DePagter • L-Pn Kevin Formolo • Po-Th Steve Schneider • Ti-Z Kevin Heling

Part I: Post-Secondary Planning Does your child have goals for June of 2012? What role does education play in their plans?

Goals for this Seminar • You gain further understanding of the planning required for preparing for post-secondary education • You are aware of the resources available to help you while you make these important plans for post-secondary education • You have a clear understanding of the sequence of events over the next one and a half years • You will understand how counselors schedule your student for their senior year

It’s a great adventure that all should be encouraged to attempt • More high school graduates than ever are attending post-secondary education (about 60%) • Most jobs today require some form of education or training after high school.

Outdated perception New outlook Significant changes in how we approach post-secondary education • All the good jobs require a 4-year degree • Only 29% of current occupations require a 4-year degree • 45% of jobs will require technical training • The 4-year and 2-year degree “tracks” are completely separate from each other • Guaranteed transfer of credit agreements between 2-year and 4-year schools are becoming the norm • Tech schools are for less- intelligent students • 2-year degree programs target and train highly technical skills

29% of Current OccupationsRequire a 4-year Degree • The “traditional” professional occupations still require 4-year degrees or more (e.g. doctor, lawyer, teacher, engineer, etc.) • The majority of jobs in the two hottest occupational areas today, computer technology and health care, require 2-year degrees.

Guaranteed Transfer of Credit Agreements Between 2-year and 4-year Schools are Becoming the Norm • Almost 50% of students who begin a Bachelor’s Degree program do not complete it • Movement between 2-year and 4-year institutions has become so common that credit transfer agreements have become a necessity • Examples of interesting agreements • MSOE and MATC • LTC's RN program and UW-Oshkosh

How Do I Decide Where to Go? • Introduction to the UW System • Wisconsin Technical College System • Wisconsin’s Private Colleges and Universities

“With So Many Options, How Will I Ever Decide Where to Go?” • Remember, it’s become very easy to move from institution to institution. Don’t feel as though your initial decisions “lock you in.” • VISIT, VISIT, VISIT! Don’t rely on the experiences of others, find out for yourself. Pay attention to your “gut.” It’s hard to be successful when you don’t feel comfortable. • Know what is important to you. Big vs. Small, Urban vs. Rural, Close to Home vs. Far Away, etc.

“With So Many Options, How Will I Ever Decide Where to Go?” • Cost is a factor for every student and family. However, you cannot know for certain what the final cost will be at this point. • It seems obvious, but do they offer your program of interest? If you are undecided, do they have a wide array of degrees in areas that interest you?

4-Year University of Wisconsin System Requirements uwhelp.wisconsin.edu How do the Requirements Differ between 4-year and 2-year schools? 2-Year WTCS Requirements • Must have a high school diploma • Must choose an area of interest • Students are encouraged to take more than the minimum requirements to graduate from high school • Two-year technical programs often fill up quickly and/or have 1-2 year waiting lists

4 years of English Am. Writers Brit. Writers AP Literature Composition Speech AP Composition 20th Cent. Novels Myth and Legend Logic and Arg. Writing 3 years of Math Algebra Geometry Advanced Math OR If Your Student is College-Bound (Recommendations)

3 years of science Biology Chemistry Physics or botany Adv. Science 3 years of social studies SASD requirements are greater If Your Student is College-Bound (Recommendations)

World Language Required for admission into UW-Madison and UW-Eau Claire Must take in college if not in high school for UW-Milwaukee, UW-Platteville, and UW-Parkside Research by visiting the perspective school’s website! Check the “Admission Requirements” page at each site! If Your Student is College-Bound(Recommendations)

So What Can I Do To Get Ready? • Post Secondary Planning Guide (see above link) • Continue to ask yourself the question, “What do I want to study in college?” Having a direction helps make the planning much easier. • Do research on various careers using CareerCruising • www.careercruising.com • Do a job shadow this spring • Sheboygan South Counseling Center website • Challenge yourself in your senior year. Many college freshman are unprepared for the rigor of college courses. This means that getting accepted to college does not necessarily mean you are ready!

So What Can I Do To Get Ready? Although graduating from high school is a milestone worthy of celebration, don’t get tempted to use it as a deadline for post-secondary plans. The junior year is the year to formulate the plan, and the senior year is the year to put it into action. Once high school graduation comes, everything should be in place for continued education .

So What Can I Do To Get Ready? • Now--next August: research/visit campuses • Aug-Sept: Narrow choices to 3-4 campuses • Sept: register for ACT test if haven’t taken • Sept-Nov: Apply for admission; request financial aid information from colleges • Dec: Financial aid night • Jan: Apply for FAFSA • Feb: Local scholarship application • Apr-May: Receive financial aid packages; make final campus decision

So What Can I Do To Get Ready? • ACT/SAT information • Writing test? • ASVAB Career Exploration • Learn more about yourself and the world of work • Explore occupations in line with your interests and skills • Develop an effective strategy to realize your career goals • More info. At www.asvabprogram.com

Questions. . .? • Before we move to senior year scheduling.

CAREER CRUISING Counseling Center Website

Course Description Guide • See p. 4 Graduation Requirements • See p. 7 Weighted Grades (add’l handout) • See p. 8 Honors Diploma/Academic Letter Course Description Guide

Course Description Guide • How to read the department charts • See p. 15 Business/Marketing Dept. Course Description Guide

Course Selection Sheet • Language Arts • Math p. 46 for mapping • Recommendation sheets Course Description Guide

Course Selection Sheet • P.E./Health • Science • Social Studies

Study Hall • Recommended if student struggles in academics • Recommended for one or both semesters • Recommended for students active in extra-curriculars

Senior Release Criteria • Dismissal from school for one hour during scheduled study hall • First Semester: Have earned at least 18 credits and earned a C- (1.667 +) for the previous quarter • Second Semester: Have earned at least 21 credits and earned a C- (1.667 +) for the previous quarter • See handout for additional criteria

Zero Hour • 7:00-7:50 am (Provide OWN transportation) • May leave school after 6th hour OR • Take 8th class/study hall

Honors Courses • Make sure this is what you want • Check with teacher for syllabus BEFORE signing up for the course • Expect student to be challenged • Honors courses increase student G.P.A.

Courses for College Credit/Advanced Standing • Advanced Placement Courses • CAPP Courses (see p. 3) Course Description Guide

Co-Op Courses • Business Occupations • Marketing management • Vocational Food Service • Related Occupations • Interior Design • Fashion • Health Care • Child Care

Co-Ops, continued. . . • Drafting • Metalworking • Woodworking • Automotive transportation • Electricity/electronics • Graphic arts

Co-Op Prerequisites • You must be qualified to be included in a co-op program • See pg. 10 in Course Description Guide for more information

ALTERNATE PROGRAMS • Youth Tutoring Youth • Youth Apprenticeship • Youth Options • Internships • Work Experience • See pg. 9-10 in catalog

Questions? • Thank you for attending tonight’s seminar!

Guidance Resources