1. Guiding the Way to Higher Education
Families, Counselors, and Communities Together

2. Charting a Challenging High School Experience
ESSENTIAL III
Charting a Challenging High School Experience
This essential is aimed at students early in the high school years. 2

3. A college and career ready student possesses the content knowledge, strategies, skills, and techniques necessary to be successful in any of a range of postsecondary setting. Success is defined as the ability to complete entry-level courses at a level of performance that is sufficient to enable students to continue to the next courses in their chosen field of study. Not every student needs exactly the same knowledge and skills to be college and career ready. A student’s college and career interests help identify the precise knowledge and skills the student needs.
Conley, 2015 3

4. Questions What options did you have after high school?
Does your child have the same options?
What obstacles did you have that your child may find as well?
What postsecondary institutions are there in our community?
What local resources have you found to help chart your child’s educational progress?
Icebreaker questions. 4

5. Options After High School
College or University
Community or Junior College
Trade, Technical, or Business School
Military Service
Civilian Service Opportunities
Gap Year Programs
FCCT page 40, Resource 3.2, page 83 5

6. Colleges and Universities
Institutions composed of divisions that may be called schools or colleges that offer a wide range of majors and prepare individuals for a wide spectrum of careers
Approximately 2500 four-year accredited institutions
FCCT page 40, Resource 3.2, page 83
Can be public, private, sectarian, non-sectarian, co-educations, single sex, small, large, and located in any type of community setting 6

7. Community College, Junior College and Technical College
Two-year public and private institutions that specialize in college transfer programs, vocational programs, or both
Approximately 1500 community colleges in the United States
FCCT page 40, Resource 3.2, page 83
Two-year public and private institutions that specialize in college transfer programs, vocational programs, or both
Approximately 1200 community colleges in the United States
Certificates or diplomas in specialized programs
Generally not transferrable
Degrees – Associate
Generally transferrable to four-year colleges and universities
Inexpensive, flexible hours, convenient 7

8. Trade, Technical or Business Schools
Privately-owned schools specializing in trades or vocations
Thousands of schools in the US
FCCT page 40, Resource 3.2, page 83.
Clarification may be needed for Business Schools; not all are in same category as Trade and Technical schools.
Privately owned schools specializing in trades or vocations
Thousands of schools in US
Special in particular skills (welding, culinary arts, cosmetology…)
Length of programs vary
Open admission
Offers “hands-on” learning or “learning by doing”
Accreditation status of program or institution distinguishes better programs from those who may not serve students well 8

9. Required/Recommended Pre-College Coursework
All academic core courses must be designated “College Preparatory” – not general or Technical Preparatory.
Verify school / state requirements for graduation as they may vary from what a college requires for admission.
FCCT page 41, Resource 3.3, page 84
Bring in additional information about state and local school graduation requirements, as well as local college admissions requirements. 9

10. Required/Recommended Pre-College Coursework
English (4 years)
Literature, writing/composition, speech
Math (3 - 4 years)
Algebra I, geometry, algebra II, trigonometry (analysis, precalculus), and/or calculus
Science (3 years)
Biology, chemistry, physics, earth/space Science
Bring in additional information about state and local school graduation requirements, as well as local college admissions requirements. If you are talking with families of a specific school, enter the exact names of the courses so as not to confuse parents / guardians. 10

11. Required/Recommended Pre-College Coursework
Social Studies (3 – 4 years)
US History, US Government, Economics, World History/Geography
Foreign Language (2 – 4 years)
Must be of same language
Arts (1 – 3 years)
Visual Art, Dance, Drama, Music, Performing Arts
FCCT page 41, Resource 3.3, page 84
Bring in additional information about state and local school graduation requirements, as well as local college admissions requirements. 11

12. The more families know about their children and about the variety of educational alternatives they can pursue the better able parents and guardians will be to provide quality guidance.
Take questions. Encourage discussion. Provide additional resources. 12

13. Learn More about Your Child
Individual Characteristics
The capacity for learning or his or her natural ability or “talent” to do something
Aptitude
The ability to learn and know
Intelligence
The things that individuals like doing, the activities that command their attention and arouse their curiosity
Interests
FCCT page 42, Resource 3.4, page 85. 13

14. Learn More about Your Child
Individual Characteristics
Individual characteristics such as friendliness, courage, or other natural tendencies that make one person different from another
Personality Traits
The highly-respected standards that guide a person’s life – the principles and ideals that children develop and the way they prefer to do things
Values
FCCT page 42, Resource 3.4, page 85. 14

15. School Support How School Counselors Can Help:
Monitor achievement and progress in the classroom
Identify individual learning concerns and find solutions
Appraise aptitude, intelligence, and other characteristics; interpret findings
Provide information about high school study options and course offerings
FCCT page 43; Resource 3.5, page 85. These 2 slides are included so that parents/ guardians can know what to expect from the guidance counselor. If your school does not provide all of these services, or if you provide others, feel free to edit. 15

16. School Support How School Counselors Can Help:
Aid students in exploring and understanding educational options
Teach study skills and motivate students
Encourage students to maintain an academic portfolio
Foster extracurricular involvement
Give students support and guidance
FCCT page 43; Resource 3.5, page 85. These 2 slides are included so that parents/ guardians can know what to expect from the guidance counselor. If your school does not provide all of these services, or if you provide others, feel free to edit. 16

17. Community Support
Seek assistance from people or programs in the community that can offer aid and expertise in the college admission process.
Visit the NACAC Directory of College Access & Success Programs website to search for a college access program in your area