LESSON OF THE MONTH: ACADEMIC PREPARATION Academic Preparation CONTENT AREA: ‘Academic Counseling - College GRADE LEVEL: Middle School and High School STANDARD: Plan to Achieve Goals: ‘A:B2.1 Establish challenging academic goals in elementary, middle/jr. high and high school. ‘A:B2.3 Develop and implement annual plan of study to maximize academic ability and achievement. ‘A:B2.6 Understand the relationship between classroom performance and success in school. PURPOSE: Students willlearn what the college prep curriculum is and gain an understanding of how to prepare academically for fouryear college entry by completing an Educational Plan, LENGTH OF TIME: 30-45 minutes MATERIALS: Resource Sheet: Information on College Admissions Fast Facts Universities suggest that if students excel in a curiculum tke the one below, they will be wellsuited {or the demands of college academics: + English:four years, Mathematis: three or more years (beginning with algebra) Histony/Social Studies: three or more years Science: three or more years of laboratory science (including biology, chemistry and Physics) Foreign Language: three or more years ofthe ‘same foreign language Rigorous Course Schedule - Students are encouraged to enroll in advanced level work in as many of the areas mentioned above as possible. Students should ‘seek to take a challenging high school course load ‘which includes honors, advanced placement classes and/or participating in the International Baccalaureate program. Student Sheet The Educational Plan to leading this lesson. NOTE TO TEACHER: Refer to the Resource Sheet: Information on College Admissions priorWHOLE GROUP/SMALL GROUP/INDIVIDUAL 1. FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS 1. 2. Introduce what a college prep curriculum is by using the information in Fast Facts. These five academic areas of study are what college admission officers at four-year universities review on a student's transcript to ensure they are eligible to apply. Lead a discussion on high school graduation requirements. Ask students to provide examples ~ high school exit exam, physical education course, computer and/or health science courses, etc. Explain to students that universities do not take certain classes required for graduation into consideration when admitting students to their campuses. Students need to gain an understanding of the differences of high school graduation requirements verses college admissions requirements, The focus is on the rigor of their class schedule each year with respect to the five core academic areas: English, Mathematics, History/Social Studies, Science and Foreign Language. ‘Ask students what type of academic preparation they believe is needed to apply and be accepted by a fouryear university. Be sure to discuss what a rigorous course schedule looks like by using the information in Fast Facts. There are numerous programs students can get involved in beyond those listed. Distribute Student Sheet: The Educational Planto students. Have students begin to plan their middle and high school courses in order to prepare them for the college admission requirements. The plan will assist them in seeing the difference between what is needed for graduating from high ‘school verses what is needed to get intoa four-year university. The Educational Plan will help them map out their course path from 7" through 12" grades. Have students start at their current grade level, review each academic subject area and write what course they are enrolled in. Once the current grade level is complete, have each student work backwards to 7* grade andfill in any courses they have already taken up to that point in each academic subject area. Once all the core academic areas have been filled in from current grade to 7 grade, fll n the next sequential courses for their future academic years. Suggest to the students that they post their education plan at home in a location where they will see it every day to help them stay on track. What do colleges consider when admitting students to their campuses? What are the dferences of high school graduation requirements verses college admissions requirements? How can you prepare academically for four-year college entry?EXTENSION ACTIVITY: 1. Students can begin to research admissions requirements for the universities and colleges they are interested in applying to. 2. Review another requirement of admissions for most fouryear universities, standardized testing. a. Exam information and suggestions are located at the bottom of The Educational Plan. RESOURCE SHEET: INFORMATION ON COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 1. Prior to leading the discussion on high school graduation requirements, research the website(s) of students’ high school district to obtain a list of the graduation requirements that pertain to them. 2. Students should be passing their academic core classes with a C or better at the end of each term. If they have received a D, they need to meet with their counselor to discuss the possibility of remediating that grade (especially in high school). 3. Please note that in Math and Foreign Language, students can begin to acquire credit toward the number of “years required” beginning in the 7 grade if the courses are offered at their schools, 4, Studentscan review any gaps in The Educational Plan with their counselor to ensure they enroll in these courses for the remainder of their high school years, 5. There is no magic formula for getting into college. Students who have taken full advantage of the opportunities available to them in junior high and high school, achieved academic success at a high level and consulted early on with their school counselors and teachers will be best prepared and successful in their college search and application process. For students who enroll in the best available and most challenging courses offered at their respective school, colleges will recognize their efforts.STUDENT SHEET: THE EDUCATIONAL PLAN Use this worksheet to plan out a college prep course of study. It includes course names and suggested number of years for each core area, Education Plan coitege Prep Curriculum English English 1, English 2, English 3, AP English Uiterature, et. 4 years of college preparatory (grade level) English composition and Iterature Mathematics ‘Algebra, Geometry, Algebra Il, ‘Tigonomety or High Level Mathematics 3 or more years beginning with ‘Algebra. Algebra in the 8° grade recommended. This Planning Chart Belongs To: Histon//Social Studies US. History, U.S. Government, Sociology, World History, European 3 or more years recommended, Histon, ete ‘Science ‘3 or more years of laboratory science Biology, Chemisty, Physics etc. | recommended. Foreign Language Spanish, French, talian, ete 3 or more years of same language recommended. High School Graduation Requirements Courses, ie. PE, Heath Science Minimum GPA ait xem, EXPLORE, PLAN or PSAT SAT of ACT EXAMS SAT Subject Tests EXPLORE sar PUN PSAT ACT- Apel SAT Maren May SSATSFune aT cr ‘Sasi by December