Ramp-Up to ReadinessTM Choose Rigor + Gain Access + Maintain Motivation + Practice Persistence = READINESS Introduction

Ramp-Up Readiness Rubric Am I on track to meet my goals? Distribute the readiness rubric for seventh grade to each student Explain that students will regularly work on portions of the readiness rubric (just like they did in 6th grade) which will help them answer the question, “What do I need to do to reach that goal?” and “Am I on track to meet my goals?”

Objectives Learn about the following: Ramp-Up to ReadinessTM What it means to be college ready What it takes to be college ready How you can start preparing now!

Review What is Ramp-Up to Readiness™? A program to help all students develop the knowledge, skills, and habits for success in postsecondary education (college). The program was developed by Minnesota Middle and High School staff along with the University of Minnesota. Explain that postsecondary education and college are terms used to describe all types of education available after high school including community and technical college and 4 year college Microsoft, 2011

Review: Pillars of Readiness Plan Foundation: Belief that all students need to be prepared for postsecondary education Goal: All students meet Ramp-Up Standards Pillars of Readiness What are the 5 pillars of readiness? We’ll go through each readiness area and what it means

Review: Pillars of Readiness Plan Foundation: Belief that all students need to be prepared for postsecondary education Goal: All students meet Ramp-Up Standards Academic Admissions Career Financial Personal/Social Pillars of Readiness We’ll review each readiness area and what it means

Academic Readiness Means graduating from high school ready to do first-year, credit-bearing college work. Some skills include: Strong reading, writing, and math skills Analyzing and solving complex problems Critically evaluating claims Asking and investigating important questions Checking your work to make sure it’s correct Microsoft, 2011

Admissions Readiness Means meeting all of the requirements for admission into the college (2- yr or 4-yr) that you want to attend Skills: Identifying the type of college that best fits your personality, career and personal goals, and strengths Figuring out the requirements at the colleges you want to attend and coming up with a plan to meet them Applying to at least 3 colleges that are good matches for you Microsoft, 2011

Career Readiness Means understanding: The relationship between education and income and opportunity Which types of jobs will: Need skilled workers in the future Will pay enough to support a family and your desired lifestyle Be a good match for your interests and abilities. Microsoft, 2011

Financial Readiness Means you are able to cover the cost of your 1st semester at college through savings, loans, work-study and financial aid To be financially ready, you need to: Know how to budget Know how families like yours pay for college Make a plan to pay for college Apply for financial aid Microsoft, 2011

Personal/Social Readiness Means you are ready for the personal and social challenges of college. Important skills include: Setting educational goals Monitoring progress toward achieving your goals Putting your best effort into your schoolwork Asking for help when you need it Creating relationships with peers and adults that support academic success Microsoft, 2011

Personal/Social Readiness How Can You Prepare Now? Academic Readiness Admissions Readiness Career Readiness Financial Readiness Personal/Social Readiness Understand Readiness Rubrics Act Believe Ramp-Up to ReadinessTM will lead you through 4 levels to help you prepare: Understand – You’ll start by learning the important knowledge, skills, and habits needed Believe – Next, Ramp-Up will help you believe you can be ready in each area Plan – You’ll develop a plan to make sure you are ready in each area Act – You’ll put the plans in action and achieve academic, admissions, career, financial, and personal and social readiness by the time you graduate from high school! Postsecondary Plan Plan

This Year… Set SMART Goals Learn about Personal Strengths Explore Career Clusters and Colleges Discuss overcoming obstacles Learn more about academic skills needed for college readiness Work on financial planning for college Complete the PREP and look at how your personal readiness has changed We’ll talk about the following topics this year

Ramp-Up Postsecondary Plan What do I want to do with my life after high school? Distribute the postsecondary plan to each student or have students take out their plan from their portfolio if they still have it from last year Explain that students will update their postsecondary plans throughout the year to help them answer the question, “What do I want to do with my life after high school?”

Why Start Now? The earlier the better! Keep your options open and avoid missing out on opportunities. The more you do now to prepare, the more options you’ll have when it comes time to choose the college you want to go to. Make sure you can get into the college you want to get into and are able to succeed there!

Why Start Now? What you do now makes a difference in how prepared you will be for college. The following all impact your college readiness: Courses you take Grades you earn Test scores Knowledge, skills, and habits you develop now Your Support Network Savings and opportunities for financial aid Microsoft, 2011

Review In Ramp-Up to Readiness, we’ll work together to make sure you are: Academically Ready Admissions Ready Career Ready Financially Ready Personally and Socially Ready for college! Preparing for college now will also ensure you develop the skills, knowledge, and habits you need to succeed in middle and high school.

Assignment Take the Postsecondary Plan and Readiness Rubric forms home and share them with your family! Explain what you learned about Ramp-Up to Readiness and what you will be doing this year to become college and career ready. Ask for their help in preparing for college!

References Microsoft Office Images. (2011). Retrieved from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/images/