Grassfield High School

1. Grassfield High School 10th Grade Parent Night January 11th, 2010 Ms. Thompson, 10th Grade Academic Counselor Mrs. Whayland, Guidance Director SLIDE 1 SLIDE 1

2. Topics for Discussion Senior Year Plus, Early College Scholars PSAT interpretation Course selection for the Junior year Preparation for college Standardized testing and dates Timeline Information on driver�s education Questions and answers

3. Senior Year Plus Senior Year Plus offers two options to better prepare students for life after high school, while reducing the cost of college tuition and technical training. These options are called Early College Scholars and Path to Industry Certification.

4. Early College Scholars The Early College Scholars program allows eligible high school students to earn transferable college credit while completing the requirements for an Advanced Studies Diploma. The result is a more productive senior year and a substantial reduction in college tuition. Students earning a college degree in seven semesters instead of eight can save an average of $5,000 in expenses.

5. The Path to Industry Certification The Path to Industry Certification: High School Industry Credentialing encourages students to work toward a selected industry credential or state license while pursuing a high school diploma. Ms. Jennifer Clock, Career Counselor

6. The Path to Industry Certification Business Department - Microsoft Office User Specialist and Nocti Accounting Marketing Department - National Retail Federation in Sales and Customer Service Technology Education Department - Brainbench Photoshop and Autocad

7. Why PSAT? Identifies strengths and weaknesses in reading, math and writing skills Provides practice for the SAT Affords Juniors an opportunity to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test The PSAT is given once a year. Next year�s date is October 13, 2010.

8. 3 Sections of the Test

9. Your ScoresYour Scores

12. Practice SAT questions Practice SAT essay Official SAT practice test SAT test dates Personalized SAT Plan

13. Preparing for College Mrs. Harris Adjunct Faculty at TCC for 22 years Social Studies Department Chair AP US History Teacher

14. College is a� BUSINESS decision, not a social one! Path to employment!

15. Pathways to College

16. Types of Colleges 4-year College 4-year University 2-year College Vocational/Technical College or Academy

17. Four-Year Colleges Award four-year (bachelor) degrees Some also award master�s degrees Emphasis is on liberal arts education Broad education in social sciences, humanities, sciences Smaller enrollment and class size, offering greater individual attention Emphasis is on teaching rather than research Both public and private 4-year colleges

18. Universities Award bachelor degrees and graduate or professional degrees Master�s, Ph.D., Law, and Medical degrees Emphasis is on liberal arts education or specialized training (e.g., teaching, engineering) Strong emphasis on research Tend to have larger enrollments and larger class sizes than 4-year colleges Can be public or private

19. Two-Year Colleges Award Associate degrees or certificates of study Prepare students for transferring to a 4-year college or university or� Offer technical training in specific occupations (bookkeeping, culinary arts) Open admissions and non-residential Students can attend part-time or full-time Public 2-year colleges have lower tuition

20. Technical Colleges Award certificates of study or Associate degrees in career-specific programs such as auto repair, computer technology, medical assistance, or business Some community colleges offer similar certificate programs but at a lower cost Credits from a technical college do not always transfer to a four-year college

21. College Admission Requirements Most 4-year colleges require students to fulfill 4 requirements to be considered for admission: Complete college- preparatory courses Complete the college entrance tests Earn good grades Submit an application and personal statement or admission essay

22. Choosing College-Prep Courses High school graduation requirements may differ from college admission requirements. Check with your high school counselor and enroll your student in courses that meet both requirements Honors or Advanced Placement are courses that provide accelerated or advanced study. Some four-year colleges and universities give extra weight to these courses when considering students for admission

23. Choosing Courses, cont�d Be realistic about your child�s academic potential at this point in his or her life. Honors and AP courses require student commitment, not just parent interest. The student�s transcript should have a variety of different kinds of electives in addition to solid academic preparation. Create an academic plan and work from the final goal backwards � good advice for college, too!

24. Grades and GPAs One of the most important considerations for a college admissions committee is the student�s strength of schedule. What kind of courses did he/she select? The minimum GPA required for admission to a 4-year college or university varies widely. Strive for at least a �B� average or 3.0 GPA

25. College Entrance Tests Most 4-year colleges and universities require SAT I or the ACT Some colleges also require or recommend the SAT II subject tests. These cannot be taken on the same day as the SAT. SAT subject tests should be taken as soon as the students has completed the coursework. Most 2-year colleges do not require the SAT or ACT, but may require students to take placement exams in math or English.

26. College Credit by Exam Students should look at the general education requirements of all the colleges they are considering and select AP or college courses that will fulfill those requirements. Each college has a transfer guide which enables the student to determine which TCC credits will be accepted for transfer.

27. College Credit by Exam The most common transfer courses are listed on www.schev.edu � Click on �Parents and Students� and then on �Transfer Tool� and select the colleges or universities the student is considering. Credits for Advanced Placement courses vary tremendously from one college to another.

28. College Credit by Exam Advanced Placement � the �gold standard,� but not the only standard! CLEP (College Level Examination Program) � multiple choice tests through which students can also earn credits at all but the most selective universities. TCC is a CLEP testing center. SAT subject tests are sometimes used for a waiver of requirements or placement. (A strong SAT subject score can also help to counterbalance a modest AP exam score.)

29. College in the Afternoon Students may be released the last block of the day to take classes at TCC Students must be 16 years old and have a letter from their high school Students may also take on-line classes on their own time Application to TCC is free, but requires a placement test or SAT scores Credits from TCC transfer, but grades do not

30. Admission Application At most 4-year colleges, the application consists of and application, a transcript, and a personal statement or essay Some colleges also require one or more letters of recommendation and an interview Students should look at various college applications early to see what information colleges will want to have about them Check the requirements of individual colleges in which the student is interested by the end of Sophomore year.

31. A Word about National Honor Society Students apply to be in NHS at the beginning of Junior year Students who have a 3.4 cumulative GPA will receive an invitation Students will have to demonstrate character (faculty vote), service, and leadership in addition to their academic performance Students should use the summer months between Sophomore and Junior year to get service hours!

32. How to Start Preparing Now for College Learn the college-preparatory course requirements for the colleges you are considering Get involved in co-curricular activities Sports, Clubs, Work, Church, Honor Societies, etc. Plan to take the PSAT and ASVAB in Junior year Plan the Junior year testing schedule before the year begins � SAT, SAT subject tests, ACT, AP exams

33. How to Start Preparing Now for College Visit college campuses Find colleges in your area and schedule a tour Plan to make college visits during Junior year on teacher work days or other high school holidays when college is in session Summer visits are better than none, but not as valuable as visits during the academic year Check out college websites - many have virtual tours

34. Factors to Consider When Choosing a College. Size - What is the total student population? How big are the typical freshman classes? Location - How far is the college from home? Is it in a rural, urban, suburban setting? What is the area surrounding the campus like? People - Who are the students and where do they come from? Academics- What majors are available? Who teaches the courses? What is the academic reputation of the college? Social Opportunities: What clubs and teams are available? Are there fraternities and sororities? Cost : What is the total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books? What kind of financial aid is available?

35. College Search Tools Become familiar with the �study aids� sections at your local bookstores State Council on Higher Education in Virginia - www.schev.edu The College Board - www.collegeboard.com ACT/College Net - www.act.org FinAid: The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid - www.finaid.org

36. Remember� The U.S. has 3,500 colleges - one (or more) is right for your child. It�s not where a student starts, but where he or she finishes! It�s never too early or too late to prepare for college The more you read, the more you know Apply early for financial aid Attend parent information nights at Grassfield High School See Mrs. Whayland, Guidance Director, for any questions � she will direct you to the appropriate resources

37. Timeline Suggestions for Rising Juniors Summer � best opportunity to engage in volunteer opportunities. See the Career Counselor for suggestions if you need ideas. Fall � establish an individual testing schedule for SAT, ACT, SAT subject tests, and AP exams. September � register for PSAT to qualify for NMSQT. Take the PSAT October 13, 2010.

38. Timeline Suggestions for Rising Juniors October � Attend the College Fair at the Chesapeake Conference Center. November � Sign up to take the ASVAB. Access your EdLine account to monitor your grades. Research educational majors or career goals that you are interested in and make a written list

39. Timeline Suggestions for Rising Juniors Spring - check early-decision deadlines Review for SAT subject tests and AP exams Verify admission requirements, including placement tests, for TCC courses to take during summer or Senior year The Junior year is a critical year for college admissions. Take a rigorous course load to ensure academic success!

40. Driver�s Education Ms. James-Green, Physical Education Department Chair, will discuss procedures and steps for the Drivers Education Component of PE II

41. Driver�s Education Obtaining Learner�s Permit Must be at least 15 years and 6 months Test is taken at DMV office. Students may only take test twice. If third attempt is needed, the driver�s education classroom portion must be completed first. This can be done through the PE II class or through a private driving school. Practice tests can be found at www.dmvnow.com

42. Driver�s Education Cost: Currently $150.00 for simulator, road and range portions Hours: Thirty-six hours of classroom instruction are required (no exceptions). Forty-five hours of parent supervised driving required � 15 hours must be after sunset (must complete log). Components: In order to obtain provisional license, a student must successfully complete all four parts � classroom instruction simulator, road and range.

43. Driver�s Education Simulator: Permit not required but highly recommended. Twelve students at one time complete this portion. Students are pulled from the physical education portion of PE II.

44. Driver�s Education Range: No more than twelve students can be taken on the range at any one time. Students are taught the mechanics of operating a car. Students are pulled from the physical education portion of PE II.

45. Driver�s Education Road: Students receive direct driving instruction through one of the certified driver education instructors. Two students are taken at one time and pulled from the physical education portion of PE II.

46. Driver�s Education Green Card � Issued to student after successfully completion of driver's ed classroom instruction Provisional License- Issued to student after all four components (classroom, simulator, road, range) have been successfully completed. Issued at 16 years 3 months but permit must be hels for at least nine months as well.

47. Driver�s Education Provisional license is good for 180 days and allows students to drive on their own with parental permission. Juvenile Courts will send a postcard to the student�s home with court date for the student to receive license from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

48. Driver�s Education Additional questions???? Please contact Mrs. James-Green at Grassfield High School. (757) 558-4749 jamessde@cps.K12.va.us