College and Career Ready Upper Merion Area High School School Counseling Department January 5, 2017

Agenda What is College/Career Ready? Benefits of postsecondary education High School Course Selection Do Course Levels Matter? Guidance Next Steps – Monitoring Progress Questions

What is College/Career Ready? The Pennsylvania Department of Education College & Career Ready Rationale “Today, nearly every good job requires some postsecondary education and/or training – such as an associates or bachelors degree, certificate, license, or completion of an apprenticeship or significant on- the-job training.” Talk about the Common Core – Preparing every student to have the skills necessary to pursue a post-secondary education plan.

What is College/Career Ready? The US Department of Education College & Career Ready Rationale “Education systems only are as strong as the expectations they hold for their students. But for too long, our nation's schools have not set consistently rigorous goals for students. Students will face high expectations in the real world of college and careers.” Talk about the Common Core – Preparing every student to have the skills necessary to pursue a post-secondary education plan.

What is College/Career Ready? Upper Merion Area HS Focus on College/Career Readiness The mission of UMAHS, a challenging, diverse, caring learning community, is to inspire excellence in every student by fostering lifelong learners who recognize and achieve their fullest potential. Talk about the Common Core – Preparing every student to have the skills necessary to pursue a post-secondary education plan.

Reach Higher Initiative "Education is the key to success for so many kids. And my goal specifically is to reach out directly to young people and encourage them to take charge of their futures and complete an education beyond high school." – First Lady Michelle Obama, January 16, 2014 The Reach Higher initiative is the First Lady's effort to inspire every student in America to take charge of their future by completing their education past high school, whether at a professional training program, a community college, or a four-year college or university. Talk about the term “college” – we use it to refer to any post-secondary education. Certificates, Associate’s, Bachelor’s and advanced degrees. Our goal is to prepare all of our students so they can pursue the educational path they want. It is also to help them understand the commitment and drive needed to reach their educational goals.

Benefits of an Education “The more you learn, the more you earn!” But…

YouCanGo! By the CollegeBoard Five Reasons to Attend College http://youcango.collegeboard.org/why-go

High School Course Selection Provides the foundation for college level work and employment skills. Helps students explore academic areas that could lead to potential college majors and careers. Develops a body of academic work that can be evaluated by colleges and employers. Reinforces the importance of challenging ourselves. Offers students the opportunity to dream!

Course Levels – Picking the Right Classes We want every student to challenge themselves to the highest level to which they are capable. Teachers, counselors and administrators look at each student individually and work with them to identify their strengths and weaknesses and plan accordingly. Supports are always available to help students when needed. Students make course selections based on multiple factors – post-secondary goals, appropriateness of curriculum, interests, parental suggestions, etc… Students/Parents should access their counselors to assist in developing the right curricular plan.

UMAHS School Counselors Our focus is on the student! We want to help them develop and implement a post-secondary plan unique to them. We will help them seek out challenges and support them to succeed. We will help them identify their options.

Accessing College/Career Information Family Connection by Naviance The link for this web-based program can be accessed by going to the main high school website, clicking on the Guidance tab and scrolling down to the Naviance Family Connection link. http://www.umasd.org/domain/497 Access your student’s account by: Student id# where it asks for email Student’s birthdate – mmddyyyy – for the password

Next Steps

Next Steps for Freshman In School Focus on academics and good grades Get involved in school and extracurricular activities Meet with your school counselor Explore your interests Pick the right classes College Exploration Start exploring colleges on the Web and what it takes to get in Talk to family and friends about college Begin to get a feel for college life – spend some time on a campus Make summer count – job, volunteer work, experiences Standardized Testing Complete process for Testing Accommodations if you are eligible

Next Steps for Sophomores In School Stay focused on academics Meet with your school counselor Stay involved in school activities Plan appropriate courses for the following year Standardized Testing Complete process for Testing Accommodations if you are eligible Take the PSAT (UMASD covers the cost for Sophomores) Review results of the PSAT and access CollegeQuick Start for free Consider taking the SAT/ACT in late Spring College Exploration Explore colleges on the Web Visit colleges if you can Visit with a couple of college representatives when they visit U.M. Attend college fairs Consider attending a “College Summer Program”

Next Steps for Juniors In School Standardized Testing College Process Stay focused on academics Meet with your school counselor Stay involved in school activities Do not lighten your academic load for senior year Standardized Testing Complete process for Testing Accommodations if you are eligible Prepare for and register for ACT / SAT tests (minimum two times this year) Register for AP tests as appropriate College Process Explore colleges on the Web Visit colleges if you can Meet with college admissions representatives that visit Upper Merion Attend college fairs Draw up your list of potential colleges to which you will apply Complete Applications – Meet Deadlines, Apply Early

Parents Stay involved – monitor grades, talk “with” not “at” your child, keep firm yet realistic expectations. Provide encouragement – but don’t play the blame game with them. No one is out to get them. Educate yourself – attend evening programs such as financial aid nights, college information nights, junior conference meeting, websites, newspapers, etc… Develop a financial plan – post-secondary education is not cheap or free. Encourage connections – friends, family, teachers, counselors, clubs, sports, youth groups, etc… Be available.

UMAHS School Counseling Dept. Class of 2019 & 2021 (A-K) Class of 2019 & 2021 (L-Z) Class of 2018 & 2020 (A-K) Class of 2018 & 2020 (L-Z) College Counselor Guidance Technician Guidance Clerk Patricia Brower pbrower@umasd.org Allison Lowry alowry@umasd.org Kim Jackson kjackson@umasd.org Nicole Miller nmiller@umasd.org Erik Enters eenters@umasd.org Elaine Berman eberman@umasd.org Diane Coxe dcoxe@umasd.org