Preparing for Success
Bret Harte Family Night
Presented By:
Ms. Sarah Weiner
Academic Counselor
Icebreaker
Definition
of success: “The achievement
of something desired, planned, or
attempted.”
Students:
What is one step you are taking right
now to achieve your goals?
Parents/Guardians:
What steps have you seen
your student take towards their goals?
Bret Harte Resources for
Students and Parents
Homework
Center: Monday, Wednesday, and
Thursday 2:50-4:00pm
Late bus: Monday-Thursday
Teacher webpages, office hours, and email
addresses on Bret Harte website
Organizational Skills & Time Management
Workshop: Jan. 31st in Homework Center
What Do Teachers Expect?
 Students should ask questions when confused.
 Homework should be completed.
 All homework assignments, projects, and
upcoming tests should be written down in
planner.
 Students need to take responsibility for any
missing work.
 Students should come prepared for class.
 Every test, homework assignment, and project
counts!
Being prepared means…
Having the following items in backpack:
 Binder with divider for each class OR
 Different colored folders for each class
 Calculator
 Highlighter
 Pens (1 black and 1 red)
 Eraser
 Pencils
 Index cards
 Binder ring
 Colored pencils
 Post-its
 Glue stick
Staying Organized!
 Students
should organize their binder/folders and
backpack once a week.
 Have your student pick a day and time to organize
backpack every week. Ex: Sunday evening
 Offer a reward for completing this project
successfully.
 Every student should be writing in their planner
everyday in order to know what homework and
projects they must complete and tests they need to
study for.
Supporting your student at
home…
Provide
a quiet study area
Have your student sit at a desk or the kitchen
table and upright chair with back support.
Sitting on the couch or on the bed to do
homework makes students sleepy.
Have technology (video games, computer, tv)
be a reward for homework completion.
Homework Time
Encourage
your student to do most
challenging homework first.
Check your students planner for homework
assignments and sit with him/her when you
are available.
Read your students flashcards to them.
Have them “teach” the info to you.
You don’t have to know all the answers to
the homework, encouragement and
support is the key!
Activity
How
to use flashcards together…
On
the lined side (Student writes):
Name of my parent/guardian’s
favorite band or musician.
Blank side (Parent writes): Answer
Parent/guardian reads the 1st side
to their student.
Student guesses the answer.
Repeat until the student knows it!
High School Graduation
Requirements
 240 Credits

California High School Exit Exam

40 hours of Community Service

Driver’s Training Certificate

First Aid/Safety Certificate (PE Class)

Health Certificate (Biology class)
Five credits are awarded for each
class


Student must receive D or higher

Credits are issued only at the semester

240 credits required for graduation
Credit Requirements








English = 40 Credits (4 years)
Math = 30 Credits (3 years)
Science = 30 Credits (3 years)
Social Studies = 35 Credits (3.5 years)
PE = 20 Credits (2 years)
Foreign Language = 20 Credits (2 years)
Visual/Performing Arts = 20 Credits (2 years)
Electives = 45 Credits
California Standards Test
(STAR)
•Given every year in April and May through 10th
grade
•Tests grade level standards
•Helps educators know what subject areas
students need more support in
STAR SCORES
LEVEL
ELA
MATH
S.S.
SCIENCE
FBB
150-265
150-256
150-270
150-252
BB
266-299
257-299
271-299
253-299
BASIC
300-349
300-349
300-349
300-349
PROF.
350-394
350-413
350-395
350-402
ADV.
395-600
414-600
396-600
403-600
High School Exit Exam
(CAHSEE)
English- Score of 350 or higher to pass
Math- Score of 350 or higher to pass
Offered for the first time in 10th grade
If students do not pass the first time:
Can be taken 2 times in 11th grade and
2 times in 12th grade
*Students must pass CAHSEE to receive
High School diploma
Options After High School
4-year Universities
Community College
Trade School- ITT Tech,
Vocational Training
Wyotech
~Examples: electrician, mechanic,
beautician, medical assistant
Military
Work force
Average Annual Earnings
Professional Degree
Doctoral Degree
Master's Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Associate's Degree
Some College
High School Graduate
Some High School
$109,600
$89,400
$62,300
$52,200
$38,200
$36,800
$30,400
$23,400
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Surveys, March
1998, 1999, and 2000.
College Requirements
 “C”
or better in all A-G requirements
 10th-11th
grade GPA without PE must be a minimum of:
2.0
for California State University (CSU)
3.0
for University of California (UC)
 Take
the SAT or ACT test
 Private
Colleges may require Letter of Recommendation
from teachers/counselors
A-G Requirements
 A.
History/Social Studies (2 years)
 B.
English (4 years)
 C.
Mathematics (3 years, 4 recommended)
 D.
Lab Science (2 years, 3 recommended)
 E.
Foreign Language (2 years, 3 recommended)
 F.
Visual Performing Art (1 year)
 G.
College Preparatory Elective (1 year)
College Admissions Tests
SAT (800 points max)
Critical Reading
Math
Writing
ACT
with writing (36 points max)
English
Mathematics
Reading
Science
College Admissions Test Suggested Timeline
Practice
PSAT
Exams:
9th or 10th grade
Required
SAT
Exam:
11th grade (12th grade as backup)
and/or:
ACT 11th grade (12th grade as backup)
4-year Universities
University
of California (UC):
 Top 12.5% of high school graduates
California State Universities (CSU)
 Top 33 % of high school graduates
Private Universities
 Over 100 in CA and many more
nationwide
Community College
2-year
programs (Associate Degree)
Open to Everyone
Over 100 Schools in California
Can meet general education
requirements and transfer to a 4-year
university
System
Community
Colleges
Ex: San Jose
City College
California
State
University
University
of
California
Private and
Independent
Colleges
Ex: San Jose
State University
Ex: UCSC,
UC Berkeley
Ex: Santa Clara
University, Stanford
# in CA
112
23
10
77
Exams
Placement
Exams
ACT or
SAT
ACT or
SAT
Varies
Degrees
AA Degree,
Certificate
Programs,
Transfer
Programs
Bachelor,
Masters
Bachelor,
Masters,
PHD
Bachelor,
Masters,
PHD
Approx
$26/ unit
Approx
$5,198/ Year
Approx
$11,285/
Year
Average $28,437/
Year
Tuition
Financial Aid - Ways to Pay for
College
Types
Grants - Don’t pay back
Student Loans - Student pays back after
they graduate.
Parent Loans - Parent is responsible to
pay back.
Work Study - Program to connect
students with jobs on campus-flexible with
study schedule.
Scholarships
Many different types:
-Academic achievement
-Cultural background
-Interests/Hobbies/Sports
-1st generation college student
-Financial need

Helpful Financial Aid &
Scholarship Websites
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.fastweb.com
Important College Websites
www.College.gov
-preparing for
college, how to pay for college,
College Q&A
www.CollegeBoard.org -SAT, AP,
College Planning, College Search
Assembly Bill 540 (AB540)
Undocumented
students can pay in-state
tuition at California public colleges and
universities.
Student must have attended a California
High School for 3 or more years and
graduated with a diploma or received a
G.E.D.
Student must sign an affidavit stating they will
seek legal counsel to become a
resident/citizen.
AB540 continued…
AB540
does not provide access to federal
or state financial aid.
AB540 allows undocumented students to
pay $26 per unit (in-state) fees at
California Community Colleges instead of
around $135 per unit (out of state) fees.
AB540 Helpful Resources
The
Mexican American Legal Defense
and Education Fund www.maldef.org
www.Latinocollegedollars.com
Who can you talk to?



Academic Counselor
Teacher, Principals, Assistant Principals,
Coaches, Advisors
College Opportunities and Programs