POST-SECONDARY PLANS
GRADE 11
LESSON 7
Time Required: 30-45 minutes
Content Standards: Students will complete school with the
academic rigor and preparation essential to choose from a wide
range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.
Indicators (Students will…): AA.A.11.2.03 Develop a postsecondary transition plan including campus/workplace
exploration, the admissions and/or application process, financial
aid sources and process, and personal timeline.
GOAL: Students will explore their post-secondary options and recognize steps
involved in becoming prepared.
Activity Statements:
Students will discuss their post-secondary plans and the information relating to such options.
Materials:
Handout 3 “Am I Ready?”
Alumni of your school
Several copies of college guides such as Peterson’s Guide
Several copies of employment and military guides
Procedures:
1. Distribute Handout 3 “Am I Ready?” Have students complete worksheet to prepare
them to receive today’s information and to aid in generating questions.
2. Introduce two or three alumni of your school and have them explain how they made
their post-secondary choices, how they chose the college or school they are attending
or job where they are employed.
3. Ask students to cite admissions requirements to colleges familiar to them. Ask students
to discuss alternatives to four-year universities. Some suggestions include employment,
community college, engineering and technical colleges, vocational-technical school, fine
arts schools, nursing school, business school, military.
4. Have students make a list of two to three interesting options and describe the
information they will need to transition into the next stage of their lives (college,
training, work, military.)
POST-SECONDARY PLANS
GRADE 11 LESSON 7
5. With the class, develop a list of personal information about the applicant a college or
employer may require. Some suggestions are: GPA, class rank, ACT/SAT scores, high
school curriculum, extracurricular and community, activities, honors and awards earned,
work experience, community service/volunteerism, leadership positions, resume.
Discussion:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Are you planning to attend college, seek employment or the military after graduation?
If you are, do you know where you want to attend, be employed or serve your country?
What questions were no or left unanswered in Handout 3?
Brainstorm and discuss post-secondary options.
Have you applied for financial aid for post-secondary education?
Have you taken the required entrance exam for post-secondary education?
Have you taken required steps for employment or military?
Additional Resources:
Several copies of college guides such as Peterson’s Guide
Written instructions for navigating the selected program, such as KUDER, Choices, or Discover
(ACT) and a sample analysis sheet for chosen program.
Handouts 1 and 2
Extension Activities:
Students can complete a career and/or college search identifying their own special needs,
talents, and requirements. Websites where student may do a college search (www.act.org
www.collegeview.com www.petersons.com ).
Visit a college campus using Handouts 1 and 2.
WV Education Planner on 12 Ways Not to Choose a College:
http://wv.educationplanner.org/education_planner/deciding_article.asp?sponsor=2869&articl
eName=12_Ways_Not_to_Choose
WV Education Planner on selecting a School:
http://wv.educationplanner.org/education_planner/selecting.asp?sponsor=2869
Activity:
There are a number of articles on post-secondary options. Have students read and discuss in
the classroom:
Education Options Available in the Military
Take the Apprenticeship Route
The Vocational School Option
Community College: Is It For You?
Is a College Degree the Right Choice for You?
Post-Secondary Decisions: Consulting Your Network
POST-SECONDARY PLANS
GRADE 11 LESSON 7
Have students fill out their After High School Transition Plan
Resource:
Roads to Success Lesson Plan – Evaluating Post-Secondary Options
Lesson Plan – Preparing for Life After High School
Students: Complete Activity #12 – Finding the Right College. Browse school profiles to prepare questions
about programs and school features of interest for college visits
Adapted from:
Chicago Public Schools (9-12) 30 Advisor/Advisee Lessons
http://intranet.cps.k12.il.us/Lessons/Advisory/
Grade 11 Lesson 30 and
Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Center
http://missouricareereducation.org/curr/cmd/guidanceplacementG/elearning
Grade 10 Unit 1 Lesson 2 and Grade 12 Unit 1 Lesson 4