Aoba-Japan International School Guidance Counseling Policy & Provision Guide

Transcription

1 Aoba-Japan International School Guidance Counseling Policy & Provision Guide Greg Culos, Director of AJ Extension Programming, A-JIS Acting Career Guidance Counselor Updated as of June 2, 2015 Page 1 of 12

2 Section 2 A-JIS Guidance Counseling Policy and Process Guide 1. Introduction The IB Learner Profile Mission of School Universal Curriculum and Learner Diversity 2. Career Guidance Office, Facilities, Goals, and Objectives Personnel Facilities and Resources Goals and Objectives 3. Career and Personal Planning What Paths Should I Take through High School? What Career Options Lie Ahead of Me? 4. A-JIS, the IB-DP, and Post Secondary Pathways Institutions of Higher Education University Entrance Outside Japan (Australia, Canada, UK, USA) Via Standard High School Graduate Admission Via IB Pathways (Global) Inside Japan Via International Student Pathways Via IB Pathways (Global) 5. Links to Resources for University Admissions Policies and Procedures Outside Japan Inside Japan 6. Specific Offerings Overview Provisions from Grade 9-12 Provisions during Grades 11 and 12 Post-Secondary Study/Exam Preparation IELTS and TOEFL Preparation Courses SAT Preparation Course Pathways Program 7. Schedules Page 2 of 12

3 A-JIS Guidance Counseling Policy and Process Guide 1. Introduction The IB Learner Profile The aim of all IB programmes is to develop internationally minded people who, recognizing their common humanity and shared guardianship of the planet, help to create a better and more peaceful world (IBO 2013). Our IB Diploma programme is committed to the development of all learners according to the 10 attributes of the Learner Profile. Mission of School A spirit of community shapes the A-JIS experience. We are dedicated to developing globally minded, compassionate, collaborative students inspired to learn, take risks and lead change in the world. Aoba-Japan International School is offers a comprehensive guidance counseling program and a series of extension programs to complement the core high school programs. These programs will advance the mission of the school insofar as they guide students to make informed and targeted decisions regarding their postsecondary pursuits to become globally minded students inspired to learn, take risks, and lead change in the world. Universal Curriculum and Learner Diversity Students from A-JIS will have three distinct pathways through their high school studies. A-JIS High School Graduates IB Certificate Graduates IB Diploma Graduates It is the task of the A-JIS Guidance Counseling Office to help students determine which of these best suits their passions, aptitudes, and future aspirations. Whichever stream they choose, A-JIS is committed to ensure that they learn about the options that lie ahead of them, discover the resources available to them, and follow the paths that most clearly lie ahead of them. International educators are motivated by an idealistic vision and practical considerations. Learners share an academic experience that emphasizes critical thinking, intercultural understanding, and exposure to a variety of points of view. Today, more than half of the learners opting for the Diploma Programme come from state or national systems rather than from international schools. A- JIS, an international school, has determined that the principles behind the IB program mesh with the vision of the school. This is the reason A-JIS has chosen Page 3 of 12

4 to adopt the program. The IB s goal is to provide learners with the values and opportunities that will enable them to develop sound judgments, make wise decisions, have access to a diversity of choices and respect others in the global community. The programme equips learners with the skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment. The programme has the strengths of a traditional liberal arts curriculum, with the Theory of Knowledge, an Extended Essay and Creativity, Activity and Service as the core of the curriculum model. 2. Career Guidance Office, Goals, and Objectives Personnel Guidance: Greg Culos gregculos@aobajapan.jp Admissions: Ae Kimura ae.kimura@aobajapan.jp Facilities and Resources The Career Guidance Office for A-JIS is currently located in the AJ Extension department. In this space, students have access to a growing library of postsecondary institution catalogues and registration materials, as well as access to the Guidance Counseling staff. As part of A-JIS s plans to continue improving the schools learning spaces and resources, the Guidance Counseling Office will be moved within the upcoming school year to a permanent space adjacent to the IB-DP Lounge that is currently in the final planning stages. Goals and Objectives The objective of the Guidance Counseling responsibility of A-JIS is to provide a strong career and personal planning program to A-JIS high school students that focuses on personal, interpersonal, and professional objectives of learning and growing. Our goal is to help guide them to optimize the benefits that await them upon graduation and to ensure that they leave A-JIS having made the wisest and most informed choices about the next steps they take. The Guidance Counseling function our school is intended to improve the outreach and connectivity of the of the entire institution, and to provide ways for our graduates to be exposed to all of the opportunities available to them upon leaving A-JIS. One of our core responsibilities is to offer A-JIS high school students training, assessment, information, and orientation leading to regional, international, and overseas post-secondary education opportunities, and to careers within the international market. 3. Career and Personal Planning Whichever post secondary pathway an A-JIS student wishes to pursue and in whichever stream they choose to study, A-JIS ensures that via a high school diploma or an IB Diploma, they are placed in the best possible position to achieve their goals. The guidance counseling staff is committed to ensuring Page 4 of 12

5 they are prepared to understand and make appropriate decisions about what lies ahead of them decisions that will greatly affect their futures. 1. What career will they choose? 2. What qualifications will they need to pursue that career? 3. After leaving A-JIS, what will they study and where in order to get there? This handbook has been designed to assist you with these decisions and with the application process for entry to institutions of Higher Education. Just as all students have different aspirations, there are many different ways the guidance counselors will approach those needs and aspirations. This policy and provision guide provides insight into the scope of the services provided by A-JIS. Students, faculty, and families are encouraged to read it all, from front to back, in order to familiarize themselves which what will be required through the course of students high school experiences. Ultimately, our counselors are the guides. The responsibility to follow, grow, and surpass lies completely within he responsibilities of the students. Much of the information in this guide is general in nature and, as such, should be useful to a student seeking entry into the majority of Higher Educational establishments regardless of location. However, in what follows are specific sections on the particular requirements of institutions in the U.S.A., Canada, the U.K, and Australia. 4. A-JIS, the IB-DP, and Post Secondary Pathways Institutions of Higher Education Students who graduate from A-JIS with an A-JIS HS Diploma or an IB Diploma will have been guided appropriately along two possible tracks: regular admissions in a university of their choosing, or through the IB pathway should they successfully be rewarded the IB Diploma. International Baccalaureate examinations are accepted around the world as a qualification for entrance into higher education institutes. DP learners apply to more than 3,300 higher education institutions each year, in close to 90 countries. The most popular of these institutions are ranked among the top universities in the world (IBO 2015). University Entrance A. Outside Japan (Australia, Canada, UK, USA) a. Via Standard High School Graduate Admission: Australia: As Australia uses a Federal system of government, responsibility for education, and admission to Technical and Further Education colleges and undergraduate degrees at universities for domestic students, are in the domain of state and territory government (see Education in Australia). All states except Tasmania have centralized processing units for admission to undergraduate degrees for citizens of Australia and New Zealand, and for Page 5 of 12

6 Australian permanent residents; however individual universities usually accept applications for international and postgraduate students. The award of an International Baccalaureate meets the minimum requirements for admission in every state. ATARs are awarded based on the level of attainment in each regions individual secondary schooling exams or equivalencies. For individuals without an ATAR, or recent secondary schooling certificate, the Special Tertiary Admissions Test is used as the standard test to provide an ATAR. Canada: In Canada, Internationals/US applicants are likely to receive an offer or rejection by early April, depending on the original submission of documents. In some cases, an institution may offer admission in a high schoolers Grade 11 year, if monetary fees are sent in early. Admission to colleges and universities in Canada has been a straightforward process since the 1970s. Students generally rank their chosen institutions in order of preference and submit their transcript to the institution or provincial application service for evaluation. In the majority of cases, acceptance is based entirely on marks, with potential for elevation depending on what province an applicant may be from. Applicants in-province typically have much less stringent grade requirements than out-of-province applicants. United Kingdom: During September to December of the final year of school, applicants register on the UCAS website and select five courses at higher education institutes. If the applicant is still at school, his or her teachers will give him or her predicted grades for their A-level, Highers, or IB subjects, which are then used for the application. In general, applications must be received mid-january for courses that start the following Autumn. For each course applied for, the applicant receives a response from the institution: rejection, conditional offer or unconditional offer. If a conditional offer is received, the student can only take up the place on the course if they later fulfill the stated conditions: normally the achievement of specific grades in their forthcoming exams. Following the receipt of offers, whether after the initial application, or through UCAS+, the applicant chooses two courses for which offers have been made: a first choice and a second choice. If the conditions of the first choice offer are later met, the applicant may attend this course. Whether to admit an applicant to a course is entirely the decision of each individual university. Most universities also use secondary admissions criteria. These may include results at GCSE or Standard grade examinations (or equivalent), the references provided on the application and the information provided on the personal statement. The personal statement can often be the deciding factor between two similar candidates so a small industry has sprung up offering false personal statements for a fee. United States: In the United States of America, high school students apply to four-year liberal arts colleges and universities, which include both undergraduate and graduate students. Others attend community colleges, which almost always admit all students with high school diplomas, in preparation for transfer to four-year universities. There is no limit to the number of colleges or universities to which a student may apply, though an application must be submitted for each. Fees are generally charged for each admissions application, but can be waived based on financial need. Page 6 of 12

7 Students apply to one or more colleges or universities by submitting an application which each college evaluates using its own criteria. The college then decides whether or not to extend an offer of admission (and possibly financial aid) to the student. The majority of colleges admit students to the college as a whole, and not to a particular academic major, although this may not be the case in some specialized programs such as engineering and architecture. The system is decentralized: each college has its own criteria for admission, even when using a common application form (the most widely used is The Common Application). Common criteria include ACT or SAT scores, extracurricular activities, GPA, demonstrated integrity, and a general college admissions essay. Further criteria, used to varying degrees, include athletic ability, legacy preferences, race, ability to pay full tuition, potential to donate money to the school (development case), desired class composition, perceived fit, subjective evaluation of student character, and general discretion by the admissions office. The importance of the various factors varies between universities, and selectiveness varies significantly, as measured by admissions rate (which depends both on selectiveness and number and type of applicants). b. Via IB Pathways (Global): Students with an IB Diploma can generally enter either college or university more easily than other high school applicants/graduates, due to the material covered in the program. Like students with AP credits, they may also be given advance credit in particular universities, with faculty consent. In the case of more select university programs, and for almost all international students, an essay, statement of intent or personal statement of experience must be submitted directly to the faculty being applied for. Additionally, letters of reference, examples of extracurricular involvement, additional community service endeavors, athletic participation, awards and scholarships won and more may all be required for acceptance to some of Canada's top programs. B. Inside Japan Via International Student Pathways: With the introduction of the Global 30 Project, the best universities in Japan are now offering degree programs in English. By doing this, these universities have broken down the language barrier which was one of the obstacles preventing international students from studying in Japan. A range of courses in a number of fields is offered in English at the universities under the Global 30 Project. Students might imagine that you have to be in Japan in order to apply. However, the universities under the Global 30 Project now offer paper and interview-based admissions procedures which allow international students to apply while still in their respective countries. Interviews can be done from their current location using TV conference systems or other devices. The universities under the Global 30 Project provide high-quality instruction in Japanese language and culture while also allowing students to gain a valuable degree in another subject. When you learn Japanese, you Page 7 of 12

8 become not only proficient in the language but also gain an insider view of the culture difficult to appreciate otherwise. In addition to excellent educational and research facilities, universities under the Global 30 Project also provide an international student-friendly environment, offering support for living and studying in Japan. For example, they provide assistance regarding academic matters, career planning, visas, financial support, housing, and any other difficulties and problems international students may face. Via IB Studies: Although all universities in Japan formally recognize the IB Diploma as a qualification and clearly acknowledge the high academic contents of the DP and value IB learners, the policies themselves are varied. Admissions requirements are left up to the discretion of the individual universities. IB Diploma graduates who are seeking admission to Japanese universities should contact the respective admission offices to obtain information on application procedures and prerequisites, which vary between universities. (IBO 2015). Japan Universities Accepting Local IB Learners Include: Universities with all departments accepting IB learners Tsukuba University Johchi University (2017-) Osaka University (2017-) Ritsumeikan AP University Okayama University Tamagawa University Intl Liberal Arts University Kwansei Gakuen University Universities with some departments accepting IB learners Tokyo Foreign Language Rikkyo University University ICU University Yokohama City University Waseda University Keio University Juntendo University Universities planning to accept IB learner with specific timelines: Hokkaido University (2018-) Kyoto Kogei University (2017-) Tokyo University (2016-) Toyo University (2016-) Kyoto University (2016-) Hosei University (2016-) Hiroshima University (2016-) Soka University (2016-) Kyushu University (2017-) Ritsumeikan University (2015-) Tokyo Gakugei University (2016-) Tohoku University (2017-) Kanazawa University (2018-) Universities considering acceptance without any deadlines Tokyo Medical and Dental Kumamoto University University Aizu University Tokyo Institute of Technology Shibaura Institute of Technology Nagoya University Meiji University Chiba University Ochanomizu University Nagaoka Institute of Technology Toyohashi Institute of Technology Page 8 of 12

9 5. Links to Resources for University Admissions Policies and Procedures For admissions to universities in Japan and abroad, there are a multitude of online resources available. Some of the more major ones are listed below. A responsibility of the Guidance Counselor is to help students discover and familiarize themselves with resources that prove to be valuable in their postsecondary education and career planning. A. Outside Japan Post-Secondary Education and Career Guidance Services: Gain admission to colleges and universities throughout the USA, Canada and Australia: Each U.S. University and College sets its own admission standards and decides which applicants meet those standards. Therefore, you must apply separately to each university or college: Where to start? Post Pre-Admission Questions. Ask here about Application process for US Universities: B. Inside Japan Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU) For information regarding the equivalency of the IB Diploma Programme to the Japanese High School Graduation Diploma, please visit: The Global 30 project: The IB s resources for schools in Japan: 6. Overview of A-JIS Guidance Counseling Provisions Provisions from Grade 9-12 One-on-One Counseling Planning and Optimizing High School Studies Parent Information Sessions AJ Extension Pathways Program Personal and Professional Aptitude and Skills Assessments Visiting Institution Representatives Choose Japan Education Fair Regional Post-Secondary Orientation Events AJ Extension IELTS/TOEFL Preparation Course AJ Extension SAT Preparation Course Page 9 of 12

10 Provisions during Grades 11 and 12 Selecting and Applying to Universities: Procedures and Tools Assessment Examination Scheduling Regional Post-Secondary Orientation Events Post-Secondary Study/Exam Preparation Details These courses are primarily designed for students who wish to attend a university abroad after graduation, or for individuals seeking to increase their employment and career skills by certifying their English abilities via official examinations. Depending on their needs and goals there are four options for students to choose from: AJ Extension IELTS Preparation Course AJ Extension TOEFL Preparation Course AJ Extension SAT Preparation Course AJ Extension Post-Secondary Orientation Program AJ Extension Pathways Program AJ Extension also provides services in addition to the examination preparation that include: selecting appropriate colleges and universities and helping students through the application processes. The AJ Study Abroad Program offers the full scope of test preparation, college selection, and application support. a. IELTS and TOEFL Preparation Courses AJ Extension offers these preparatory courses to students from Grades 9-12 interested in pursuing studies at universities overseas. Currently, the TOEFL and IELTS are the most globally recognized English assessment examinations. Following the courses, students will be scheduled for official IELTS and TOEFL examinations within the Tokyo region in due time to have their results included in their applications to their selected post-secondary destinations. See attached Assessment Exam Schedule. b. SAT Preparation Course Created by the US College Board, the SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities in the United States to make admissions decisions. The idea is to provide colleges with one common criterion that can be used to compare all applicants. For those wishing to enroll at a post-secondary institution in the United States, or in other regions requiring SAT scores, AJ Extension provides a course that helps prepare them to achieve the highest results possible. c. AJE Pathways Program Following the Mission of A-JIS to develop globally minded students who are inspired to learn, take risks and lead change in the world the AJ Extension Exam Preparation Courses have been architected to help all Page 10 of 12

11 students with a desire to pursue post-secondary studies at either an International University in Japan, or at an overseas institution. With the AJE Pathways Program, students can choose to take one or all of the above exam preparation options in combination with a the AJ Extension Post-Secondary Orientation Program that helps them in a number of ways: It introduces students to the benefits of international and overseas studies. It provides them access to A-JIS network of regional and overseas post-secondary education affiliations. It helps them through the technical details of selecting and applying to international and overseas institutions. It counsels them in the knowledge required to live and study within a foreign country. It provides services that help students meet the official Student Visa requirements of the countries where their chosen schools reside. It helps them through all preliminary travel and accommodation preparation. 7. Schedules AJ Extension Program Weekly Schedule Legend Test Preparation Programs Education Path Planning (a series of 6 focused workshops) Ongoing Language Training Intensive Workshop Sessions and Special Events AJ Extension TOEFL Preparation Course AJ Extension IELTS Preparation Course AJ Extension SAT Preparation Course AJ Extension Post-Secondary Pathways Program AJE Communicative Skills Development Program AJE Skills Focus Workshops AJE Special Activities Weekly Schedule Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 8:30-3:45 4:30-5:00 AJE Skills Focus Workshops Regular A-JIS High School Program Regular A-JIS High School Program Regular A-JIS High School Program Regular A-JIS High School Program Regular A-JIS High School Program 5:00-7:00 Special Activities School Closed Individual Student Counseling IELTS Preparation Course Individual Student Counseling TOEFL Preparation Course SAT Preparation Course Individual Student Counseling IELTS Preparation Course Individual Student Counseling TOEFL Preparation Course SAT Preparation Course Individual Student Counseling Post-Secondary Pathways Workshop Series Page 11 of 12

12 7:15-9:15 Special Activities Communicative Skills Development Program (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) Communicative Skills Development Program (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) Communicative Skills Development Program (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) Communicative Skills Development Program (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) School Closed Page 12 of 12