College and career readiness

Agenda Parent Involvement High School expectations Career Readiness College Readiness

Parent Involvement Parent involvement includes: participating in school events, showing an interest in your child’s school life and promoting the importance of academics Parent involvement benefits students in many ways. These include improved grades and test scores, increased attendance and homework completion, reduced placements in special education, positive student behavior, increased high school graduation rates, and increased enrollment in postsecondary education (Freeman, 1999, Hao & Bonstead-Bruns, 1998, Henderson & Berla, 1998, Hassler et al., 1999) Students’ college decisions are often based on what they perceive their parents want for them. (Freeman, 1999, Hao & Bonstead-Bruns,1998, Hesel, 1997, Hassler et al., 1998, Kane & Spizman, 1994)

Parent Involvement Across all racial and ethnic groups, parent involvement during the period between middle and high school is particularly important as students begin to develop skills an acquire information necessary for postsecondary enrollment and professional careers. (Catsambis, 1999) Parents are crucial in guiding their children through a college preparatory curriculum, and middle school students generally cite their parents as their top resource for academic planning and support. (Source from Aspirations to Actions, A Report for Higher Education Policy, December 2007)

Career Readiness Academic Readiness Proficiency in ELA, literacy, mathematics, science and social studies Capacity to process, retain and apply content knowledge in relevant situations Digital and technological savvy; understanding what resources are available for use, and when What can parents do? Establish homework routines Help your child study/practice for tests

Career Readiness Cognitive and higher order thinking readiness Independence in formulating hypotheses, critical thinking, problem solving, and reasoning Ability to identify, analyze and evaluate differing or conflicting viewpoints What can parents do? Ask your child questions: What did you learn today? How did you get the answer to this problem? If there is a dilemma, ask your child to find a solution Encourage your child to ask questions/seek help when needed Explore your child’s natural intelligence: https://www.edutopia.org/multiple- intelligences-assessment

Career Readiness Social and emotional readiness Strong sense of self awareness and self management Social awareness; culturally sensitive system of values, beliefs and attitudes What can parents do? Ask your child to solve small problems on their own Encourage diversity and making new friends Encourage your child to talk out their feelings

Career Readiness Employability and life skills readiness Self-directed lifelong learners capable of ownership and accountability Ability to adapt communication toward a specific audience, task and/or purpose Time management, collaboration and teamwork, organization and intellectual openness Civic engagement and responsibilities of all citizens What can parents do? Have your child do increasingly harder tasks/jobs and encourage hard word withour external reward Encourage following directions and working independently Help your child organize their work and keep a schedule/routine

Career Readiness Financial Readiness Having the means to pay for the first year of college/training Having a plan to pay for continued college/training (loans, scholarships, etc.) What can parents do? Start saving now Get to know the FAFSA process: https://fafsa.ed.gov Have your child apply for all scholarships for which they are eligible starting their freshmen year: www.fastweb.com

Career Readiness Opportunity Readiness Academic programming/sequencing for college-level work Exploration tools used to navigate roadmaps to higher education and career options Knowledge of college an career requirements, as well as financial support opportunities What can parents do? Encourage your child to talk to you and their counselor about their courses Explore careers at: www.act.org/world/world.html or https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors-careers or www.naviance.com Encourage your child to explore different programs/classes in high school (sports, clubs, courses, academies, technical education center, etc.) Explore options: www.texasrealitycheck.com Attend college fairs, recruiter visit seminars, and college tours

High School Expectations Students are expected to be more independent learners Advocating for themselves Keeping track of their own credits Keeping up with deadlines Studying Seeking help when needed Students need to get involved Athletics Clubs Advanced Courses Programs (JROTC, AVID, cosmetology, etc.) Helping organizations (outside or in school)

High School graduation requirements Graduation plans Foundation Plan with Endorsements 26 credits Endorsements: STEM, Business & Industry, Public Services, Arts & Humanities, or Multidisciplinary Distinguished Achievement 4 math (to include Algebra II) and 4 sciences Assessments ELA I, ELA II, Algebra I, Biology, US History

College Readiness Graduating high school with the requirements to be enrolled in the college, university or training program they want to attend Gaining all the skills needed to navigate college or training on their own Exploration of opportunities and requirements Activity: College Entrance

Thank you! Tamika Ewing Rachel McCune Katherine Friedel tamika.ewing@fortbendisd.com 281-634-6318 Rachel McCune rachel.mccune@fortbendisd.com 281-634-4319 Katherine Friedel katherine.Friedel@fortbendisd.com 281-634-6320