1. Steps to Success A Road Map to College and Career Readiness
Welcome
PA developed & organized
Designed for students & parents
Never too soon to think about life after high school
The steps you take today influence the path you follow in the future
It’s important to start taking wise steps NOW!

2. Steps to Success Module 2: Middle School Matters!
Tonight’s module was specifically designed for middle school students and their parents.
Some of you are just a few weeks into your middle school experience, while others have a full year under their belts.
Either way, thinking about life after high school may not be something that is on your radar screen yet.
But when it comes to college and career readiness you will find out this evening that Middle School Matters!

3. Steps to Success MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Year Period Between Elementary School
and High School
When we talk about middle school, we are talking about the two-three year period between elementary school and high school.
Some call it Jr. High
Some districts define middle school as 6-8th grade.
At Stivers, our middle school consists of our 7th and 8th grade students.

4. More People Changing Classes Lockers Bigger Building New Building
Middle School brings a lot of changes.
Exciting, Intimidating, Challenging
Requires students to adapt, grow and mature.
Problem solving is needed
Self responsibility become important
Different
Teachers
Extra-Curriculars
Academic Rigor

5. Steps to Success Question... Does it Matter?
Some students and families question what impact the middle school years have
Academically doesn’t matter – GPA doesn’t transfer
It’s only two years – get settled in and have fun before the REAL work of High school
If you’ve asked this question, by the end of this evening, you’ll have answer – and that answer is…
Does it Matter?

6. Steps to Success YES! Middle School does matter
Matters more than you may know
Let’s investigate why…

7. M I D L E S C H O Education Stool
Elementary School
High School
For a stool to function properly it must have a minimum of 3 legs
The 3rd leg provides stability and support
Middle School is now seen as the most critical leg of the education stool with respect to college and career readiness according to ACT

8. Steps to Success
The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring that All Students Are on Target for College and Career Readiness Before High School
In 2008 ACT reviewed their testing results data for high school graduates and compared it to what was necessary to adequately prepare students for college and career readiness.
Define Readiness as not needing to take remedial courses
They wanted to determine what role, if any, middle school played in preparing students for college and career.
Here is what they concluded….

9. Steps to Success
In the current educational environment, MIDDLE SCHOOL is the critical defining point for students in the college and career readiness
Middle school – these two years – have a tremendous impact on what happens to you 5 to 6 years from now.
What you do (or don’t do) TODAY will strongly impact what you will be able to do in your future.
Let’s learn a little more about that the study revealed….

10. Steps to Success Eighth-Grade Academic Achievement Is the Best
Predictor of College and Career Readiness by High School Graduation
Eighth-grade students who are not on target for college and career readiness face severe academic obstacles in high school and are substantially more likely to be unprepared for college and career when they graduate than students who are on target
Academic Achievement is primarily defined by possessing foundational reading and math skills but can be expanded to include English and science.
ACT data suggest that students who enter high school lacking foundational skills in these areas rarely ever catch up.

11. Steps to Success
ACT data show that fewer than two in ten 8th graders are on target to be ready for college-level work by the time they graduate from high school.
It is crucial that we intervene with the students in Middle School to ensure that they enter high school ready to benefit from high school coursework.
Students who leave eighth grade without the essential skills (reading, English, math, science) they need to be on target for college and career readiness too often leave high school not ready for any kind of meaningful future.
Failure to intervene NOW will mean that too many students will not be prepared for life after high school by the time they reach the ninth grade.
Life after high school does not necessarily mean college

12. Steps to Success College Readiness = Career Readiness
Not every high school graduate plans to attend college; some will go directly to the workforce. (construction, mechanics, retail, maintenance/ custodial, food service, health aids)
However, most entry level jobs, and especially those with the potential for growth and advancement, require a high school diploma
These same jobs pay a salary above the poverty line for a family of four, and provide opportunities for career advancement
Acquiring these jobs requires the knowledge and skills comparable to those expected of a first-year college student.

13. Middle School Students
Steps to Success
What Can We Do
To Help our
Middle School Students
Be Prepared?
There are four areas on which we can focus that will assist our middle school students with improving their college and career readiness.
They are:

14. Steps to Success #1 Academic Skills Foundational Reading Skills
Foundational English Skills
Foundational Math Skills
Foundational Science Skills
As a parent you need to be aware of your student’s mastery of skills in each of these key academic areas.
Placement tests
OAA results
Content Standards
Individualized Assessments
Routinely be checking Home Access Center
Turn off electronic media – open a book
Make school work the priority
Ask to see assignments
Don’t be intimidated if as a parent you struggle in this area. This is an opportunity!

15. Steps to Success #2 Academic Discipline Manage time Stay Organized
Prioritize activities
Follow through & complete tasks
Set goals
Good study habits
Manage distractions
Successful academic performance requires the discipline to learn
Here are several skills that can be learned which can increase academic performance
These are successful LIFE skills – regardless of your field of study or employment
Manage distractions – this includes TV, video games, computers, ipods, cell phones, etc. Last session kids spend over 50 hours a week in front of a screen. There is no doubt this impacts academic discipline!

16. Respect boundaries & rules
Steps to Success
#3 Orderly Conduct
Demonstrate respect for self, others, materials and the learning environment
Control behavior
Respect boundaries & rules
Regular Attendance
Self management is a key life skill and a reflection of one’s character
What is Orderly Conduct? Thoughtfulness, considerate, reverence, esteem, courtesy, non-judgmental, worthiness
Boundaries are personal guidelines, rules or limits on how you want to be treated.
Chronic absenteeism impacts learning. Tardiness leads to absenteeism. Avoid scheduling appointments during the school day day/year warning sign; 18+ chronic problem

17. Steps to Success #4 Positive Relationships With School Personnel
Kids learn how to develop relationships by watching others. This can be good or bad, depending upon what they are exposed to!
Parents need to set the example of how to interact with staff
Education is the US may be compulsory and offered free of charge, but it doesn’t mean it should be taken for granted. Education must be valued!
A students learning success or failure has less to do with the effectiveness of a teacher and more to do with how prepared the student is, how willing he is to learn and the value he places on education.
Do you see school staff as allies or adversaries?
Respect Teachers & Staff
Seek Assistance/Guidance
Come to school ready to learn
Appreciate the opportunity to learn

18. Steps to Success The Middle School Years Deserve Our Attention
The actions we take today, impact the future.
Middle school is a critical piece of the college and career readiness process
We must do everything within our power to make sure our kids are on track or get on track during 7th and 8th grade.
By engaging now we insure that when our children graduate high school they will have the foundation of academic skills they will need to be successful in college or the workforce.
Furthermore success in MS will equip them to learn additional skills as their jobs change or as they change jobs throughout their careers.

19. Steps to Success
Stivers
7th Grade
Teaching Team