College Readiness. What You and Your Student Need to Know and Do

Transcription

1 College Readiness What You and Your Student Need to Know and Do

2 ACT Policy Report College Readiness Begins in Middle School O Among the students who aspired to attend a two- or four-year college, only two-thirds described their high school program as college preparatory. Many middle and early high school students are failing to take a college preparatory curriculum designed to help them develop the skills necessary for college and for their intended careers. O Virtually all students surveyed indicated that their mother was very helpful in their high school class selection.

3 How College is Different from High School O Young people are expected to be adults, not children; no defined role for parents at the college level (except paying the bill). O Pupil /teacher relationship changes as well as expectations, independent work and learning, intellectual development. O Time of social, emotional, and intellectual transition.

4 Our Mission as Parents O Prepare our student to be: O independent O self-reliant O goal oriented O prepared to work O ready for the challenges and opportunities

5 Keys to College Readiness OThinking Strategies OAcademic Content OAcademic Behaviors OContextual Skills and Awareness O Conley, D. T. (2007). Redefining college readiness. Eugene, OR: Educational Policy Improvement Center

6 College Awareness Academic Behaviors Key Academic Content Thinking Strategies

7 Thinking Strategies O Strategies used to necessary for collegelevel work. O These strategies involve the mental action words analysis, synthesis, active inquiry, reasoning, evaluate, problem-solve. O These strategies are developed by taking rigorous academic classes.

8 Key Academic Content O Understanding and mastering academic content of classes. O Ability to write and research well. O Knowledge in the core areas of English(4), Science(3), Mathematics(4), and Social Studies(3). O ACT covers core academic content necessary for college success.

9 Academic Behaviors O Key academic behaviors consist largely of self-monitoring and study skills. Selfmonitoring is a form of metacognition, the ability to think about how one is thinking.

10 Metacognition O awareness of one s current level of mastery and understanding of a subject, including key misunderstandings and blind spots. O the ability to reflect on what worked and what is needed for improvement in an academic task. O the tendency to persist when presented with a novel, difficult, or ambiguous task. O the tendency to identify and systematically select among and employ a range of learning strategies. O The ability to transfer learning and strategies from familiar settings and situations to new situations.

11 Study Skills O Study skills encompass a range of active learning strategies that go far beyond reading the text and answering the homework questions. Typical study skill behaviors include time management, preparing for and taking examinations, using information resources, taking class notes, and communicating with teachers.

12 Time Management O accurately estimating how much time it takes to complete tasks and allocating sufficient time O using calendars O creating to do lists to organize studying into productive chunks of time O locating and utilizing places conducive to proper study O Prioritizing study time in relation to competing demands such as work and socializing.

13 Contextual Skills and Awareness Information necessary to understand how a college operates as a system and culture. Examples of skills: O Working in groups O College rules of expected behavior O Living in a communal setting

14 College Knowledge O Information necessary for gaining admission to and navigating within the postsecondary system. O understanding of the following processes: O college applications and admissions O college options and choices O placement requirements O culture of college O level of expectation

15 In Short. Students who hold the keys to college readiness O Enjoy a higher comfort level in entry- level courses, improving the odds of graduating. O Keep options open to pursue a variety of majors. O Take full advantage of all the options and opportunities a college offers.

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17 A Parent s Role in the Process O Set your expectations high from the very beginning. O Establish the idea that school is important. O Communicate expectations. O Demonstrate learning and create an environment to support it. O Let teachers know you are a willing partner in your student s education. O Hold your student accountable. O Monitor learning and stay involved past elementary grades. O If your student is struggling seek help/tutoring. O Make school the first priority for a student.

18 Common Sense in College Search O Look for a good fit. Does the school fit the student academically, offer the programs and majors, have a confortable feel. O Visit the campus, talk to students and teachers, go to class, eat the food, check out the town. O Have an honest discussion about money and financial aid options. Have an affordable back-up plan.

19 Where to Go for Info O Schools host information sessions on colleges and financial aid. O School web page for local info on classes, scholarships, college testing, etc. O Visit college fairs, websites and campuses. O Talk to your school s teachers and counselor for their suggestions for your student. O Talk to current college students about their choices.

20 Trusted Web Resources O Missouri Career Guide great guide on schooling, careers, job seeking skills. uri_career_guide.pdf O Missouri Connections web based career and college program available in all public schools in Missouri. Students may do college and career searches and save info to their personal accounts. O

21 Fin Aid Websites O Mo Department of Higher Education info on federal and state grants, scholarships, loans, and A+ grants. O Fin Aid honest, thorough info; excellent calculators for estimating expenses; free scholarship search engine. O Federal Government site- more than you will ever want to know about the FAFSA and how to complete it.