Preparing for high school &
post high school success
Preparing for success
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It is never too early to begin thinking
about preparing for high school and
post high school plans.
The pathway that is set for students
begins in middle school.
What does preparing mean?
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There are many options after high
school.
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Work
Military
Trades
Apprentice programs
Proprietary schools
College
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Preparing for success
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What does it mean, “preparing for high school
success and beyond?
How do I prepare my child and when?
How do parents prepare themselves?
What role does standardized testing, class
offerings, and finances play in all of this
process?
Where do we go for help in answering all of
these questions?
Preparing for success
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Adults age 18 and older with a
bachelors degree earned an average of
$51,554 in 2004, while those with a high
school diploma earned $28,645,
according to new tabulations released
today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Those without a high school diploma
earned an average of $19,169.
Preparing for success
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No matter what path is selected, there are
some basic facts about preparing for a post
high school life. One assumption we are
making is that everyone is striving to earn at
least a “living wage.”
“Living wage” is what a family of four needs to
earn for basic necessities. The US
government has set the living wage at
$38,500.
How do I prepare my child and
when?
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Spend a lot of time talking about goals and
what is needed to reach those goals.
Research jobs and what will be required to
enter that field.
Do not panic if your child does not know what
they want to be, many things change
between age 12-25. Do not make the
process a stressful situation.
Also realize that over 30% of the jobs that
your child will be competing for have not even
been created yet.
How do I parents prepare
themselves?
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Be involved in creating your child’s 4 year high school
plan.
Be aware of the recommended college core of
classes: 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 3 years
of science, and 3 years of social studies, and 2 years
of foreign language.
Honors and AP courses provide a challenge and
rigor; this has proven to lead to future success.
Go over standardized test (EXPLORE, PLAN, ACT,
and PSAE) to identify strengths and areas to improve
to better prepare your child for the upcoming
challenge of college.
What role does my child’s 4
year course selection plan
play?
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To make a long story short, the more rigorous
a students course load is, the better they will
do in college.
The higher the level of math reached, the
more likely success will be attained in
college.
Students who take at least one AP (advanced
placement) course do better in college.
The “senior” year should not be viewed as the
last time to have some fun. But at the same
time, school should be an enjoyable
experience.
What role does standardized
testing plan?
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Scores from the different standardized
tests indicate student strength’s and
areas to improve.
If my child scores low, does that mean
they will never do well in college? NO!
Standardized test scores are used as
information to improve, not label and
lock into a certain future path.
What role should finances
play in deciding whether or not
to do in college?
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NONE!
Remember, do not eliminate any college
because of costs before receiving
financial assistance information.
Remember to check with college
officials for accurate costs.
Where do I go if I need help ?
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The place to start is your child’s
guidance counselors.
There are many web sites, one of the
best is www.act.org The ACT web site
has lots valuable information, practice
tests, and other resources for students
and parents.