Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High School Teachers Can Do
Access to higher education remains a challenge for many students who face academic and informational barriers to college entry. This guide targets high schools and school districts, and focuses on effective practices that prepare students academically for college, assist them in completing the steps to college entry, and improve their likelihood of enrolling in college.
Recommendations
Academic preparation
1.Offer courses and curricula that prepare students for college-level work, and ensure that students understand what constitutes a college-ready curriculum by 9th grade. Source – 2155 KB
2.Utilize assessment measures throughout high school so that students are aware of how prepared they are for college, and assist them in overcoming deficiencies as they are identified. Source – 2155 KB
College aspirations and expectations
3.Surround students with adults and peers who build and support their college-going aspirations. Source – 2155 KB
Steps for college entry
4.Engage and assist students in completing critical steps for college entry.Source – 2155 KB
5.Increase families’ financial awareness, and help students apply for financial aid. Source – 2155 KB
For more help read the PDF : http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/practice_guides/higher_ed_pg_091509.pdf
Preparing Students for CollegeHelp your students take the next step in their education
During their four years of high school, students have many teachers, coaches and role models. However, as a school counselor, you are the one person who sees the entire picture of a student's high school career and can bring all the information together.
Some of the things you can do to give students the best chance of being accepted by the college of their choice include:
Course selectionCollege admission requirements are typically more stringent than high school graduation requirements. They often require a higher level of demonstrated competence in mathematics and science, and may even require a minimum number of years of foreign-language study. Make sure that all your students have the opportunity to participate in a college-prep academic program. Share with them whatcourses colleges expect to see on their transcripts.
In addition to course topics, it is important that you encourage all students to take the most rigorous and challenging courses suitable for their academic level. TheAdvanced Placement Program® (AP®) provides willing and academically prepared high school students with the opportunity to study and learn at the college level. Successfully completing these courses — and doing well on the exams — demonstrates to colleges that students are capable of success at the college level.
Standardized testsA strong performance on standardized tests also helps students convince colleges that they are ready for the challenge. Encourage your students to take thePSAT/NMSQT®. This experience gives them the chance to practice for important college admission tests such as the SAT®.
ExtracurricularsColleges also expect students to have interests outside of academics. Sports and other extracurricular activities show admission officers that students are well-rounded and can contribute to life on campus. Volunteering or working part-timealso indicates a sense of duty and commitment, further proof that students are ready for the responsibilities college entails.
Access to higher education remains a challenge for many students who face academic and informational barriers to college entry. This guide targets high schools and school districts, and focuses on effective practices that prepare students academically for college, assist them in completing the steps to college entry, and improve their likelihood of enrolling in college.
Recommendations
Academic preparation
1.Offer courses and curricula that prepare students for college-level work, and ensure that students understand what constitutes a college-ready curriculum by 9th grade. Source – 2155 KB
2.Utilize assessment measures throughout high school so that students are aware of how prepared they are for college, and assist them in overcoming deficiencies as they are identified. Source – 2155 KB
College aspirations and expectations
3.Surround students with adults and peers who build and support their college-going aspirations. Source – 2155 KB
Steps for college entry
4.Engage and assist students in completing critical steps for college entry.Source – 2155 KB
5.Increase families’ financial awareness, and help students apply for financial aid. Source – 2155 KB
For more help read the PDF : http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/practice_guides/higher_ed_pg_091509.pdf
Preparing Students for CollegeHelp your students take the next step in their education
During their four years of high school, students have many teachers, coaches and role models. However, as a school counselor, you are the one person who sees the entire picture of a student's high school career and can bring all the information together.
Some of the things you can do to give students the best chance of being accepted by the college of their choice include:
- Help to plan a challenging course schedule.
- Keep records of classes and grades.
- Track graduation requirements.
- Suggest which college admission tests to take and when to take them.
- Connect students to information on various colleges, majors and careers.
- Recommend colleges to match academic profiles and career goals.
- Advise on "safety," "probable" and "reach" colleges.
- Make sure transcripts are sent to colleges.
- Write letters of recommendation.
- Explain how aid awards and financial aid work, and connect students to local scholarship opportunities.
Course selectionCollege admission requirements are typically more stringent than high school graduation requirements. They often require a higher level of demonstrated competence in mathematics and science, and may even require a minimum number of years of foreign-language study. Make sure that all your students have the opportunity to participate in a college-prep academic program. Share with them whatcourses colleges expect to see on their transcripts.
In addition to course topics, it is important that you encourage all students to take the most rigorous and challenging courses suitable for their academic level. TheAdvanced Placement Program® (AP®) provides willing and academically prepared high school students with the opportunity to study and learn at the college level. Successfully completing these courses — and doing well on the exams — demonstrates to colleges that students are capable of success at the college level.
Standardized testsA strong performance on standardized tests also helps students convince colleges that they are ready for the challenge. Encourage your students to take thePSAT/NMSQT®. This experience gives them the chance to practice for important college admission tests such as the SAT®.
ExtracurricularsColleges also expect students to have interests outside of academics. Sports and other extracurricular activities show admission officers that students are well-rounded and can contribute to life on campus. Volunteering or working part-timealso indicates a sense of duty and commitment, further proof that students are ready for the responsibilities college entails.