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Welcome!
College and careers – why now?? This is important We will help
(MEFA, founded in 1982 by the Massachusetts State Legislature, is a non-profit state authority that works to make higher education more accessible and affordable through community education programs, college savings plans, and low-cost financing options. )
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The Reality
Public Education in the United States (source – The College Board’s Report of the Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education)
Rate at which American students disappear from school between grades 9 and 12 has tripled in the last 30 years with the loss of students between grades 9 and 10 being the greatest
High school graduation rates have fallen from about 77 percent in 1971-72 to 67 percent today
The USA, which led the world in HS completion rates throughout the 20th century, ranked just 21st out of 27 advanced economies in 2005
We rank near the bottom of industrialized countries in completion rates after students have enrolled in college
While we are still 2nd among developed nations in the proportion of workers over the age of 55 with a postsecondary credential, we drop to number 11 among younger workers (age 25-34)
THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP- low-income student population
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The Reality
The good news… While the national statistics seem ominous, particularly in
urban areas, there is much to be optimistic about here in Plymouth
PPS graduation rate is historically between 85-90%, 75% of our students go on to college (this includes tech
students of which about 40% go directly to work) Our students go on to some of the most selective
colleges and universities in the country Our Vocational-Technical Studies program is state-of-
the art and provides a truly comprehensive education
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Why Go To College?
Over 60% of current Massachusetts jobs require education after high school.
College graduates have more career options.
Source: College Board, Education pays 2007 and U.S. Census Current Population Survey, 2006
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What Are the Options?
4 Year Private
4 Year Public
Community College
Vocational/Trade School
Military
There are over 3,000 colleges and universities in the U.S. and over 100 in Massachusetts!
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How To Prepare During Middle & High School
Academic preparation
Develop necessary skills for college and career
School and community involvement
Standardized tests
College explorations
Meet with your school counselor!
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Academic Preparation in Middle School
Improve study and note taking skills
Develop organization and time management skills
Maintain extracurricular reading list
Stay after school for extra help
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Make An Academic Plan
Course plan recommended by MA Department of Higher Education to prepare for college and career.
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At Our High Schools…
9th and 10th grade Honors Classes College Preparatory Classes (CP1, CP2) Electives
11th and 12th grade Honors, CP1, CP2 Advanced Placement Classes Virtual courses Dual Enrollment Clubs and Organizations
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A Sample Four-Year Plan
GRADE 9 GRADE 10 GRADE 11 GRADE 12
ENGLISH ENG I HENG I CP1ENG I CP2
ENG 2 HENG 2 CP1ENG 2 CP2
AM LIT HAM LIT CP1AM LIT CP2
WLD LIT APWLD LIT HWLD LIT CP1WLD LIT CP2
SOCIAL STUDIES
WLD HIST HWLD HIS CP1WLD HIS CP2
U S HIST I HUS HIST CP1US HIST CP2
U S HIST APUS HIST HUS HIST CP1US HIST CP2
MATH GEOM HALG I CP1ALG IA CP2
ALG 2 HGEOM CP1GEOM CP2
PRE CAL HALG 2 HALG 2 CP1ALG 1B CP2
CALC AP/H/CPIPRECAL H/CP1ADV ALG CP1ALG 2 CP2
SCIENCE INT SCI HINT SCI CP1INT SCI CP 2
BIOLOGY HBIOLOGY CP1BIOLOGY CP2
CHEM HCHEM CP1EARTH SCI CP1
FOR. LANG( NO REQFOR GRAD)
SPAN 1,2 FRENCH 1,2LATIN 1,2
SPAN 1,2,3FRENCH 1,2,3LATIN 1 2,3
SPAN 2,3,4FREN 2,3,4LATIN 3,4
HEALTH/ PE
YESYES
YESYES
NOYES
NOYES
ELECTIVES
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Get Involved
Joining a few extracurricular activities that you are interested in allows you to…
Meet new people
Learn new skills
Make a difference
Be a leader
Have fun!
School Newspaper, Sports, Student Government, Volunteering, Art, Theater, Music, After-School Job
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Standardized Tests
PSAT
SAT
SAT Subject Tests (SAT II)
ACT
MCAS
Where are the tests offered?
When?
Which tests should I take?
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Learning About Colleges
Academic programs
Opportunities in activities and sports
Size & setting
What’s important to
me?
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Career Research & Searching for Colleges
Career Cruising – www.careercruising.com (8th ,10th and 11th grade)
Username- plymouth Password- south
Mass CIS Jr – www.masscis.intocareers.org (7th graders) www.plymouth.k12.ma.us www.collegeboard.com www.mefacounselor.org College Fairs – local, regional, national
Plymouth College Fair at PSHS each fall College guides, view books and websites Friends and family
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Visiting Colleges
Informal vs. formal campus visit
Look beyond the publications.
Visit when students are on campus.
Ask questions of everyone!
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Introduction To Financial Aid
Grants and Scholarships Need-based vs. Merit Based Federal, State, College or University Outside Scholarships
Loans Must be repaid May be a parent or student loan
Work-study Student is asked to find a job on/off campus to earn funds
www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
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Some Final Thoughts…
Information overload Harness technology effectively and usefully Take some time to close the laptops, shut off the cell phones and ipods Facebook/MySpace – pitfalls of social networking Students need to engage in intentional learning
Find reliable on-line resources Encourage off-line reading (books, research-based information) Learn how to use the school and public libraries
Focus on depth of learning- mastery of learning objectives How to think critically, analyze, respond, react and reason
*Your involvement in your children’s education is critical