By Andrea SperbergWestern Washington University

Post-High SchoolWhat to do!?

ObjectivesProvide knowledge on a variety of post-high

school optionsExplore ways to implement post-high

school curriculum at all levels of educationIncluding ways to incorporate parents and

ways to engage more diverse populationsIncrease knowledge on ways to pay for post-

secondary education (especially low SES)Increase knowledge on what goes into a

counselor’s recommendation letter for a majority of post-high school options

Subject Minimum StateRequirements

Requirements OHSD (2016+)

Minimum Requirements 4yr public Univ

Recommended for highly selective Univ

English 3 credits 4 credits 4 years 4 (Honors/AP)

Math 2 (3 for 2013+)

3 (Al 1, Geo, Al2)

3 years 3-4 (AP) years

Science (one lab)

2 2 2 years 3-4 years

Social Studies

3 (World, US, American, MWP)

2.5 3 years 3-4 years

World Language

0 0 2 years 3-4 years

Visual/Performing Arts

1 1 1 year 2-3years

CTE (occupational)

1 1 Varies varies

Health/Fitness

2 2 (.5 health, 1.5 fitness)

Varies Varies

Electives 5.5 7.5 (7.0 2016+)

Varies Varies

Total 19 (20, 2013+)

23 (+ 0.5 PNW)

Other High School Graduation Requirements

Must pass series of WA State Standardized TestsEOC Al1, EOC Geo, HSPE Reading and

Writing, EOC BioOR approved alternatives

Complete a HS and Beyond PlanComplete a Culminating Project

Post-High School Options

Work (career): on the job trainingApprenticeship: on the job training & classroom

instructionJob Corps: Federally funded residential schooling

programMilitary: military service academy, ROTC, direct enlist,

or reserve unitTechnical College: Training for workplace skills which

require a certificate or associate degreeCommunity College: Provides either a certificate or

degree in a specific applied area, or a transfer associate degree for a 4-year university

4-year College/University: Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree, or Professional & Doctoral Degree in a specific area of study.

How to Educate on Post-High School Options for all Ages

Elementary SchoolCareer Day- Mix it up!!!Compass 2 CampusClass Discussions (Ex. Of teacher w/

brochures)Guidance Lessons (Ex. Bizzy Bees)Field Trips to businesses/MuseumsCareer Themed Dress Up Day

Middle SchoolDevelopment of effective study skillsDevelopment of habits promoting academic

excellence Including increasing self-awareness, individual abilities,

interests, potential, values, and personal attitudesPromoting caring relationships between students and

staffPlanning secondary school curriculumInvolving parents in developing an understanding of

techniques and strategies in exploring the college admission process (including cost)

Help students understand the process of standardized testing and the education opportunities available

Develop career awareness and life-planning skills, including the routes to each

College Bound or other similar programs

High SchoolWill vary from 9th to 12th gradeAdvisory lessons on post-high school optionsProvide Career Interest SurveysArrange for college reps and other career reps

to visit school siteStudent and Family information nights on

credits, graduation, options (including college, FASFA, RS, AP, career options, etc.)

What the Student should do…9th Grade: Begin to prepare a schedule that reflects

your interests for after high school Begin to focus on class workParticipate in any field trips, sports, clubs or

other activities that may be relevant to your interests

WOIS- or some sort of career interest inventory

Set Academic Goals with a teacher or counselor

10th Grade:Take a PSAT or PLAN testBegin to think about taking challenging courses

(honors/AP)Take the HSPE and EOCContinue to participate in clubs, sports,

volunteer work, etc.Take part in summer enrichment programs, camps,

volunteer, classesTry to take a class that will earn you a college

credit

11th Grade:Take the PSAT/PLAN again, take the SAT or ACTParticipate in another career interest inventory-

anything changed?Attend College Rep visits and college/career fairsBegin the application process/register if you are thinking

of going to a military academy or continuing on into the NCAA

Attend campus visits if you are considering collegeBegin to prepare a draft of a resumeApply for a summer job or internship/volunteer work

relevant to your interestsContinue to take challenging courses – Take the AP

examsBegin to work on college admission applications/career

applications and essays in late spring.

12th Grade:Take the SAT/ACT if have not done soReview Transcript with counselorWork on admissions essays for college / cover

letters for careersGather recommendation lettersSubmit applications as early as possible, don’t

wait until the day of the deadlineApply for scholarships as early as possible if

considering college and apply to FASFAComplete Resume

How to Educate Families on their Child’s Options

Parent Information Nights and Conferences Building School Capacity

Informational Emails/NewslettersOne-on-One: Helping them find a Balanced Parental Role

First find where they are in the processHelp Develop a career goalRespond to “failure-to-graduate-syndrome.” But…Help balance any tension if differing opinionsProvide a few counseling sessions that provide “family time”Home Visits

District Level Strategies

5 Best Practices to Ensure Family Engagement

Shared Vision of Family EngagementPurposeful Connections to LearningInvestments in high quality

programming and staffRobust Communication SystemsEvaluation for accountability and

continuous learning

Working with Diverse Populations

Diverse Populations include (but not limited to): ethnic minorities, gender minorities, GLBT, and low SES

Use LEADERSHIP to communicate with multicultural students!LE: Listen EmpathicallyAD: Affirm DiversityER: Empower through ReflectionSH: Show Heroism/HumilityIP: Inculcating Partnerships

Working with Diverse PopulationsOther Suggestions to working with diverse

populations:Learn about the cultures present at your school

Educate parentsProvide college workshops (as early as possible)Families mentor FamiliesExpect the best, and provide the bestProvide Testing AssistanceWalk Students through the admission/career processProvide information on “minority student weekends”If college has been decided: help the student with a

variety of local resources! (Discuss)REPEAT

Working with Students with LDs

Transitions in place before the student is 16Help student develop appropriate goals

Use age-appropriate transition assessments Help student develop a class schedule based on

those goalsSummary of Performance

Academic Achievements and how they performedHelp Student learn to be able to articulate

difficulties and advocate for himself/herselfEx. Rights are different in college than in HS

Provide Testing AccommodationsKeep parents in the loop

Must have parent and student consent to release information

Preparing AthletesFirst Step: Help the student receive initial clearance

from NCAA’s Initial “Eligibility Clearing House”Sliding Scale- composite of SAT/ACT and GPACore Courses and GPA

It is a 4-year record!!!Second Step: Continue ProgressThird Step: Letter-of-Intent Commitment

To Get Recruited: Best ally is your coach! Create an athletic biography, includes: contacts, film, and resume

Discuss with Counselor your “admissibility”Make sure school is a good fit academically as well

Know the Application ProcessCommon Application

Know the deadlines (the student’s and yours)If a student asks you for a Recommendation

letter, keep letters to one pageMake sure you have current, up to date

information on the student and the schoolDo not be afraid to call the admission offices

if there is something you do not feel comfortable writing or are unsure of in the application

Purpose of the Counselor Letter?

Presenting the whole personHighlighting and providing context for

significant achievementsExplaining unusual circumstancesMaking the paper student come alive!

But I work in a LARGE high school…Ask for a senior packetResumeInterviewGet questionnaires completed by teachers

and/or the student’s parent(s)/guardian

What goes into the letter?

Develop an image of the student as a wholeInclude overview of the student’s academic

work, extracurricular and volunteer activitiesInclude “anecdotes, examples and references Provide an example of how that student has

stood out in some wayProvide an explanation on why the student is

a good candidate Explain any personal circumstances End with a paragraph that expresses the

strength of your support for that student and also thank the admissions for their time

Post-High School Options and Educating Students on how to Finance

ThemFinancial Aid

Needs-Based and Merit-based

Needs-Based: Priority DeadlinesGrants, a type of gift-aid, do not need to be repaid.

Based on family’s EFCLoans, must be repaid. Apply for FASFA asap. Four

types.Work-Study, part-time job through school

Counselor should also help student apply for as many relevant local and national scholarships as possible!!!Deadlines are scattered throughout the whole year

Resources NACAC (2008). Fundamentals of college admission

counseling: A textbook for graduate students and practicing counselors (2nd ed.).Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/applications/counselor-tips

Planning for High School and Beyond: A Family Resource Guide for Whatcom County High Schools

http://www.nd.gov/cte/crn/docs/ElementaryCareerCurriculum.pdf

http://www.k12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements/Requirement-Credits.aspx

Preparing Educators to engage families: Case studies using an ecological systems framework