Ramp-Up to Readiness
Choose Rigor
+
Gain Access
+ Maintain Motivation
+ Practice Persistence
= READINESS
Introduction
TM
Think-Pair-Share
• Why did we start talking
about college readiness so
early in your school
career?
• What are 3 important
things you’ve learned
through Ramp-Up to
Readiness?
Microsoft, 2011
Discuss
Microsoft, 2011
• How do you think you
would feel if you were
just beginning the
college preparation
process now?
• How ready do you feel
for college?
Objectives
• You will learn about the following:
Ramp-Up to ReadinessTM
What it means to be college ready
What you can do in your senior year
to prepare for college
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).
Microsoft, 2011
What are the Pillars of Readiness?
Goal:
All students meet Ramp-Up
Standards
Pillars of Readiness
Plan
Foundation: Belief that all students need to be prepared for postsecondary
education
What Does it Mean to Be Ready?
Goal:
All students meet Ramp-Up
Standards
Personal/Social
Financial
Career
Academic
Plan
Admissions
Pillars of Readiness
Foundation: Belief that all students need to be prepared for postsecondary
education
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
Microsoft, 2011
– Asking and investigating important questions
– Checking your work to make sure it’s correct
Think-Pair-Share
• What are some activities or lessons you’ve
engaged in to prepare you to be more
academically ready for college?
Admissions Readiness
• Means meeting all of the requirements
for admission into the college (2- yr or
4-yr) that you want to attend
• Skills:
Microsoft, 2011
– 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
Think-Pair-Share
• What are some
activities or lessons
you’ve engaged in to
prepare you to be
more admissions
ready for college?
Career Readiness
Means understanding:
• The relationship between education and
income and opportunity
• Which types of jobs will:
Microsoft, 2011
– 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.
Think-Pair-Share
• What are some
activities or
lessons you’ve
engaged in to
prepare you to
be more career
ready for
college?
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
Think-Pair-Share
• What are some
activities or
lessons you’ve
engaged in to
prepare you to
be more
financially ready
for college?
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
Microsoft, 2011
– Asking for help when you need it
– Creating relationships with peers and adults that
support academic success
Think-Pair-Share
• What are some
activities or
lessons you’ve
engaged in to
prepare you to
be more
personally ad
socially ready for
college?
How Can You Prepare Now?
Understand
Academic
Readiness
Financial
Readiness
Admissions
Readiness
Career
Readiness
Plan
Believe
Act
Personal/Social
Readiness
How Can You Prepare Now?
Understand
Academic
Readiness
Financial
Readiness
Admissions
Readiness
Career
Readiness
Plan
Believe
Act
Personal/Social
Readiness
This Year…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Set SMART Goals
Discuss avoiding the senior slide
Learn more about the admissions process
Complete college applications
Work on financial planning for college
Complete the FAFSA
Update your resume
Learn more about the differences between high
school and college
• Reflect on your preparation for college
Ramp-Up Postsecondary Plan
What do I
want to
do with
my life
after high
school?
Ramp-Up Readiness Rubric
Am I on track
to meet my
goals?
Why Focus on College Readiness?
• 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
Think-Pair-Share
• Which area of college and career readiness
(academic, admissions, career, financial,
personal/social) do you feel the most ready
in? Why?
• Which area of college and career readiness do
you think you need to work on the most right
now?
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 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/