Preparing for high school & post high school success

Preparing for success It is never too early to begin thinking about preparing for high school and post high school plans. The pathway that is set for students begins in middle school.

What does preparing mean? There are many options after high school. Work Military Trades Apprentice programs Proprietary schools College

Preparing for success What does it mean, “preparing for high school success and beyond”? How do I prepare my child and when? How do parents prepare themselves? What role does standardized testing, class offerings, and finances play in all of this process? Where do we go for help in answering all of these questions?

Preparing for success According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, adults aged 18 and older with a bachelors degree earned an average of $57,980 in 2008, while those with a high school diploma earned $32,188. Those without a high school diploma earned an average of $23,868.

Preparing for success No matter what path is selected, there are some basic facts about preparing for a post high school life. One assumption we are making is that everyone is striving to earn at least a “living wage.” “Living wage” is what a family of four needs to earn for basic necessities. The average income for a family of four in Illinois is $75,484.

How do I prepare my child and when? Spend a lot of time talking about goals and what is needed to reach those goals. Research jobs and what will be required to enter that field. Do not panic if your child does not know what he or she wants to be. Many things change between age 12-25. Do not make the process a stressful situation. Also realize that over 30% of the jobs that your child will be competing for have not even been created yet.

How do I parents prepare themselves? Be involved in creating your child’s 4-year high school plan. Be aware of the colleges’ recommended high school core classes: 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 3 years of science, 3 years of social studies, and 2 years of foreign language. Honors and AP courses provide a challenge and rigor; this has proven to lead to future success. Go over standardized test results (EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT, and PSAE) to identify strengths and areas to improve to better prepare your child for the upcoming challenge of college.

What role does my child’s 4 year course selection plan play? To make a long story short, the more rigorous a student’s course load is, the better they will do in college. The higher the level of math reached, the more likely success will be attained in college. Students who take at least one AP (advanced placement) course do better in college. The “senior” year should not be viewed as the last time to have some fun. At the same time, school should be an enjoyable experience.

What role does standardized testing play? Scores from the different standardized tests indicate students’ strengths and areas to improve. If my child scores low, does that mean they will never do well in college? NO! Standardized test scores are used to provide information to improve, not label and lock into a certain future path.

What role should finances play in deciding whether or not to go to college? NONE! Remember, do not eliminate any college because of costs before receiving financial assistance information. Remember to check with college financial aid offices for accurate costs.

Where do I go if I need help ? The place to start is your child’s guidance counselor. There are many web sites, one of the best is www.act.org The ACT web site has lots valuable information, practice tests, and other resources for students and parents. Also the “learning express” link on the counselors’ site may be found under the “study skills & test-taking strategies” link.