Lynn Daguerre, MA Professional School Counselor Marcia Ellis WNI Manager of Training and Support

Principal_conference_08210_post.pdf

Explanation of Product Whats Next Illinois is an interactive college and career planning system that provides students with a comprehensive, integrated resource for charting their future path, enabling them to reach farther than they ever thought possible.

Who is it for Students in elementary through high school and all levels of post-secondary. Parents and guardians assisting their students in college and career planning Counselors, teachers, administrators, coaches, and others to help manage the students career and college plans.

Benefits to Students

Benefits to Counselors and Teachers Counselors and teachers can access several lesson plans that will assist them in utilizing Whats Next Illinois as a high school, college and career planning Counselors and teachers and can use Whats Next Illinois reporting tools to assess whether students have completed career plans, developed high school course plans that are compatible with the students career plans

Benefits to Counselors and Teachers

Whats Next Illinois High School Planning Tab Create plans for goals Create transition plan Develop portfolio Create a High School timeline Timeline covers 7 th grade through the college freshman year

Planning for Goals Students have to provide answers for the following Your favorite school subjects: Your most challenging school subjects Which of your classes support your career goals? Which of your school activities support your career goals? What community activities do you participate in that support your career goals?

High School Transition Plan High School student plans to attend Support required to successfully execute the plan Personal benefits from executing the plan Program student intends to follow

Portfolio Career Planning Send and receive messages Review and manage calendar Track usage of guideways Merge accounts Transfer information from Choices Complete journal entries

The High School Timeline Allow students to develop a timeline that will help them to be successful in high school. The timeline can be used as a checklist or reminder. Help students with helpful hints on preparing

7 th grade timeline

7 th grade timeline – cont. If you're given opportunities to pursue academic subjects and extracurricular activities that are new to you, take them! It will help you to expand your outlook. Look into additional academic options that may be available in your area, such as magnet programs and school enrichment programs. Check out summer programs available in your community.

7 th grade timeline – cont.

8 th grade timeline

8 th grade timeline – cont. Find out about academic enrichment programs, including summer and weekend programs, available through your school or local colleges. Don't forget about extracurricular activities like sports, performing arts, volunteer work or other activities that interest you.

8 th grade timeline – cont.

Find out from your guidance counselor what you can do now to start getting ready for college. If you have a choice of classes in junior high, take ones that will challenge you and prepare you for college. Ask about the classes you'll need to take in high school to meet college admission requirements. In Illinois, it's recommended that college-bound students take at least the following high school courses:

8 th grade timeline – cont. four years of English three years of mathematics, including algebra and geometry three years of laboratory science, including biology and chemistry three years of social studies, including history and government two years of electives, chosen from foreign language, music, visual arts, theater, dance and vocational education