1. Class of 2015 Steve Cook, Counselor scook@rochester.k12.mi.us
9th Grade Parent Night
Class of 2015
Steve Cook, Counselor

2. Tonight’s Agenda Class of 2015: 4-Year Plan 10th Grade Scheduling
EDP’s and Career Cruising
Testing: Explore, PLAN, PSAT, MME/ACT
College Planning
NCAA
Academic Recognition

3. 9th Grade ( )
Spring of 8th Grade: Parents attend high school orientation and select freshman classes
August: Registration for high school. “Orientation” – receive schedule, locker, maps, books, forms, etc.
September: Classroom counselor presentations, discussing past college GPA expectations, and high school expectations
October: Attend College Night
November: Review EDP (Educational Development Plan) and career activities
December: Parent Night
February: Classroom counselor presentations discussing course selection for 10th grade and beyond. Students will select courses and input into computer for sophomore year. Students will take the PLAN test during the school day.
May: Go over PLAN test results.
Ongoing: Meet with students who have questions regarding classes, testing, college, and career planning/exploration.

4. 10th Grade (2012-13) August: Registration for high school.
September: Classroom counselor presentations.
October: Attend College Night. Practice the PSAT if you have a high GPA and/or test scores (this is really a test for juniors).
November: Review EDP and/or 4-year high school plan.
December: Parent Night.
February: Students will take PLAN test during the school day.
March: Students will select courses for junior year and enter them into the computer. Counselor will meet with students in small groups to discuss post-high school options such as college, vocational schools, military opportunities, the Oakland Technical Center, or apprenticeships.
May: Go over PLAN test results.
Ongoing: Meet with students who have questions regarding classes, testing, college, and career planning/exploration.

5. 11th Grade (2013-14) August: Registration for high school.
September: Classroom counselor presentations. Sign-up in the Counseling Center to see college representatives who visit during the school day. Sign-up and take the practice ACT.
October: Attend College Night. Register for the PSAT in the Counseling Center (recommended for all college-bound juniors; required for the National Merit Scholarship program)
November: Update and review EDP/Career Cruising for college and career planning.
December/January: Register for SAT test dates at (if the SAT is required for your college).
February: Junior Year Student/Parent Checklist is given to students and posted online (also discussed at Parent Night).
March: Take the MME test in school (which includes the ACT test). Select courses for senior year. Review graduation requirements. Plan final courses for graduation and beyond.
April/May/June: Take SAT and/or ACT tests according to prior registration. Student-Athletes register for the NCAA Clearinghouse at College campus visits. Students attend the “Senior Meeting” to go over the process for applying to colleges.

6. 12th Grade ( )
August: Registration for high school. During registration, pick-up “College Application Process” information.
September/October: Apply to colleges. Complete all necessary paperwork. Search for all applicable financial aid and scholarships.
November/December: Attend Financial Aid Night. Prepare to file at Review and update EDP.
Watch for Senior Activities Newsletter and Calendar. Meet deadlines established by senior class advisor.
June: CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATE!

7. Scheduling – 10th Grade
February: classroom presentations on course selections in classes
What to look for when students come home:
Handouts: registration packet, 10th grade course selection sheet, scheduling card
Pull out course description book or look up descriptions online at:
Please make sure to discuss selections with your student
Complete 4 year plan worksheet (in registration packet)
Please make sure to sign the scheduling card
Scheduling cards due back to same class they were distributed in
Enter course selections on computer one week later
Check that website has updated course description book

8. EDP’s (Educational Development Plans)
Each year students will update their EDP
Students can use as a resource to assist in planning for their future anytime they have internet access
Password: stoneycreek
Username: highschool
Parents you can use this resource too!
Explore and research college and career information

9. Current Testing Pattern
8th Explore (1-25)
9th Plan (1-32 )
10th Plan (1-32)
11th ACT/MME (1-36)
Allows for one year’s measurement of growth and time for interventions.

10. Explore, PLAN, ACT
EXPLORE (8th grade) score estimates your PLAN (9th grade) score . . .
PLAN (9th/10th grade) score estimates your ACT (11th grade) score
ACT (11th grade) score is one of the determining factors in college admissions

11. EXPLORE – 8th Grade

12. EXPLORE

13. PLAN – 9th/10th Grade What is it? When do you take it?
A practice ACT test
Achievement test: Math, Science, English, Reading, World of Work (Career)
When do you take it?
November in the 9th and 10th grade
Test given during school day out of a 9th and 10th grade class
What do the results tell you?
Estimated ACT score range
How do you compare to others? (percentiles)
Are you on track? (college readiness)
How to improve
Save results in safe place to review again for the ACT preparation
Check website for description

14. PLAN

15. PLAN

16. PLAN - English
The PLAN English Test measures your understanding of standard written English—punctuation, grammar and usage, and sentence structure (Usage/Mechanics)—and your understanding of the use of strategy, organization, and style in writing (Rhetorical Skills).
The test consists of four prose passages, each accompanied by a number of multiple-choice questions.
You receive a total score for the English test and separate scores (called "subscores") for Usage/Mechanics and Rhetorical Skills

17. PLAN - Math
The PLAN Math Test measures your mathematical reasoning. The test focuses on your ability to reason in math rather than on how well you have memorized formulas or can do involved computations.
The skills tested are those you learn in first- and second-year high school courses (pre-algebra, first-year algebra, and plane geometry).
Most of the questions emphasize content presented before the second year of high school.
You may use a calculator on the Math Test, as long as it's one of the approved kinds. (

18. PLAN - Reading
The PLAN Reading Test measures your reading comprehension by focusing on skills such as:
referring to details in a passage
drawing conclusions
making comparisons and generalizations
The test consists of three prose passages: one in the social sciences, one in the humanities (literature, history, philosophy, etc.), and one in prose fiction. Each passage is followed by several multiple-choice questions.
To answer the questions, you don't need to know information outside the passages, vocabulary taken out of context, or rules of formal logic.

19. PLAN - Science
The PLAN Science Test measures your scientific reasoning skills, based on material that is typically taught in first- and second-year high school general science courses.
The material includes topics in biology, chemistry, physics, geology, astronomy, and meteorology.
The test presents five sets of scientific information, using three formats:
Data representation format (two sets) Graphs, tables, diagrams, etc.
Research summaries format (two sets) Descriptions of several related experiments
Conflicting viewpoints format (one set) Two or more interpretations that are inconsistent with one another
Several multiple-choice questions follow each set. To answer them, you must:
understand the information provided
examine critically the relationships between the information and the possible interpretations
generalize from the information in order to draw conclusions or make predictions
You may not use a calculator on the Science Test.

20. PSAT - 11th grade What is it? When can you take it?
A practice SAT test
Aptitude test: Math problem-solving (M) + Critical Reading (CR) + writing skills (W) = Selection Index (60 – 240)
When can you take it?
11th grade (some in 10th approximately 3.8 or higher)
Opportunity to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship
Top ½ of 1%
Test is given in October, on a Saturday morning at SCHS
What do the results tell you?
How you compare to others
Are you on track?
Check out website to add details

21. MME (Michigan Merit Exam)
What is MME exactly?
Junior year
March 2014
3 components
ACT plus writing test (
WorkKeys ( )
Michigan Math, Science, and Social Studies ( )
Graduation Requirement

22. ACT English 75 questions 45 minutes
Measures standard written English and rhetorical skills.
Mathematics
60 questions
60 minutes
Measures mathematical skills students have typically acquired in courses taken up to the beginning of grade 12.
Reading
40 questions
35 minutes
Measures reading comprehension.
Science
Measures the interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, and problem-solving skills required in the natural sciences.
Optional Writing Test
1 prompt
30 minutes
Measures writing skills emphasized in high school English classes and in entry-level college composition courses.

23. WorkKeys Applied Mathematics Locating Information
Measures the skill people use when they apply mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving techniques to work-related problems. The test questions require the examinee to set up and solve the types of problems and do the types of calculations that actually occur in the workplace.
Locating Information
Measures the skill people use when they work with workplace graphics. Examinees are asked to find information in a graphic or insert information into a graphic. They also must compare, summarize, and analyze information found in related graphics.
Reading for Information
Measures the skill people use when they read and use written text in order to do a job. The written texts include memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies, and regulations.

24. Michigan Merit Exam (MME)
Mathematics
40 minutes
Science
Social Studies

25. ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks College Course or Course Area
Test
EXPLORE
Score
PLAN
ACT Score
English
Composition 13 15 18
Social
Sciences
Reading 17 21
College Algebra
Math 19 22
Biology
Science 20 24

27. College Representative Visits
Fall Junior and Senior Year
College reps will visit the school to provide presentations to groups of students who are interested in learning about their college
Dates of visits are listed in Counseling Office
Sign up in the counseling
Students will receive a pass to attend the meeting

28. College Visits Very important!
Check out colleges during the summer, and on school breaks
Contact school or visit website to sign up for a tour
Campus visit checklist
Bring questions
Arrange to meet with a Admissions officer
Tour
Talk to the students
Visit when school is in session
Ask if you can sit in a class
Campus virtual tours
Add campus visit questions to website

29. What Colleges Are Looking For
GPA
ACT/SAT score
Course Selection (rigor)
Interests/extracurricular/commitment

30. NCAA Eligibility Division 1 eligibility requirements: 16 core
4 years of English                            
3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)                            
2 years of natural/physical science (one must be a lab science)                            
1 year of additional English, math or science                            
2 years of social studies                            
4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy)
to view the Guide for College-Bound Student Athletes
Register w/ NCAA during junior year
See website

31. Scholars of Highest Distinction
Academic Recognition
Scholars of Highest Distinction
GPA
4 AP courses
ACT composite of 32 or higher
Scholars of Distinction
GPA 3.8
3 AP courses
ACT composite of 28 or higher
Scholars of Achievement
GPA 3.5
2 AP courses
ACT composite of 26 or higher

32. Grade Point Average (GPA)
A = 4.0 A- = 3.7 B+ = 3.3 B = 3.0 B- = 2.7 C+ = 2.3 C = 2.0 C- = 1.7 D+ = 1.3 D = 1.0 D- = 0.7 E = 0.0

33. RCS AP Course Offerings
English Language/Comp
English Lit/Comp
French
German
Spanish
Studio Art
US History
US Government/Politics
Psychology
World History
Micro Economics
Macro Economics
Biology
Environmental Science
Chemistry
Physics
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Statistics

34. Please, Please, Please
Check out the “Counselors” page on the SCHS website or go to:
There are 24 folders, containing 174 additional files, folders and links plus numerous sub-files, folders and links embedded in those 174
This presentation is located in my folder (Mr. Cook, Freshman Counselor for the Class of 2015) on the “Counselors” page of the SCHS website

35. Thank you for joining us this evening!
Questions?
Thank you for joining us this evening!