Category: College Awareness

1. Category: College Awareness Job Role: Parent

2. Education opens up doors Education allows your child to choose his/her career Education increases the amount of money your child may be able to make Education determines your child’s lifestyle   Education expands your child’s mind Education can help your child improve the community  Education exposes your child to a variety of people and experiences Education equals security Education equals respect Why is college important?

3. Motivate your child Challenge your child Enroll your child in extracurricular activities Make sure that your child is taking the right classes Make education a realistic journey Make education a top priority Discuss careers and educational opportunities with your child Expose your child to college Learn about financial aid and start saving Be an educational supporter for your child Be an example for your child Celebrate your child What can I do now to help my child prepare for high school and college?

4. To find out what other pre-college programs are available in your area, check with the school and with local community churches and organizations. Here are some programs that may be available in your area: 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)   California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP)   Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Puente Project Talent Search TRIO Programs University of California Links (UC Links) Upward Bound Upward Bound Math/Science What are the various college preparation programs currently available for middle school students?

5. For a given career, how much money can one earn? For information on what salaries can be earned for specific careers, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Web site: http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.html. Here are some samples:

6. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2000), the average amount of money earned by individuals based on their education level is shown in the table below: Salary ranges compare for college vs. non-college educated people For more information on what salaries are earned for specific careers, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Web site http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm

7. Category: Financial Aid Job Role: Parent

8. Scholarships are everywhere, you just need to know where to look. Here are four important areas to research: Locally Organizations and employers Free scholarship search services College financial aid office What types of scholarships are typically given, and how can I find them?

9. In order to be eligible for California financial aid, your child must meet ALL of the following criteria: • Qualify for one or more of the various type(s) of financial aid available (except for certain loans) • Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate • Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible program and working toward a degree or certificate at a California school • Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen • Have a valid Social Security Number California financial aid eligibility requirements

10. • Continuing students must maintain satisfactory academic progress once in school • New students must earn and submit a Grade Point Average (GPA) Verification form; be sure to confirm the specific GPA requirement as it may vary by grant type and year of application • Have family earnings and assets less than the established ceilings • Submit both the GPA Verification and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the Cal Grant deadline. California financial aid eligibility requirements (cont.)

11. What are some of the typical financial aid application due dates?

12. The amount and type of financial aid that your child may receive can depend on the following items:   • Financial need • Choice of college • Grade Point Average (GPA) • Year in school • Status as a full-time or part-time student • Amount of other financial assistance you will receive • Amount of money available from the college What are the typical ranges of awarded amounts given to students interested in going to college?

13. The following chart provides you with a summary of the individual financial aid programs, plus the associated award ranges or maximum amounts that are given out yearly: What are the typical ranges of awarded amounts given to students interested in going to college? (cont.)

14. Financial aid information and application forms are easy to get. If you want more information contact the financial aid office at a college near you or call: ·(888) CA-GRANT http://www.csac.ca.gov ·(888) 2ED-FUND http://www.edfund.org ·(800)-4FED-AID http://www.ed.gov/studentaid Who do I contact for additional information or to get applications?

15. Category: Learning Environment & School Systems Job Role: Parent

16. Grade Levels: K-12 School Districts School Systems - Elementary school system - Secondary school system Types of Schools Public schools Private schools Charter schools  Year-round education Magnet programs Alternative schools Independent study  What is going to school like in the U.S.?

17. Average School Calendar Minimum School - Age Requirements Standards-Based Education California Schools – Management and Personnel ·  School District ·  School District Superintendent ·  School Principal ·  School Social Workers ·  School Counselors ·  Teachers What is going to school like in California?

18. Content standards outline what students should know at each grade level They form the basis of educational goals, educational policies, classroom instruction, curriculum adoption and academic assistance Each state and school district establishes and monitors its own standards There are four major content areas in which standards are set: English/Language Arts, Mathematics, History/Social Science Science. To get a copy of California’s academic content standards, visit the California Department of Education’s Web site: http://www.cde.ca.gov/standards/ What are content standards?

19. There are many factors that you may want to consider before choosing a school – here are some of them: School Evaluation Measures · Academic Performance Index (API) · School profile ·  Teacher certification and professional experience ·  Class size or teacher-student ·  School safety · School advisement staff · School resources · School environment · Student-support programs · Parent involvement practice How do I choose a middle school for my child?

20. Research and compare the API and profiles of schools in your area Research crime statistics for each school’s neighborhood Make an appointment to visit the school on a regular school day Attend a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or school board meeting Things To Do Before Choosing a School

21. How many of your teachers are state-certified?   What professional development opportunities are available for the continued training of teachers? How do you keep parents informed about what is going on in the school?  How often do you host parent activities? What type of parent activities does the school offer?  How safe is your school?   Does your school provide bus transportation for students?  What after-school activities and programs does your school provide?  What is your dress code for students? How do you measure student performance and learning?  How do you measure school performance?  What are some characteristics that are unique to your school? What is your attendance policy for students? Do you notify parents when students have unexcused absences? Do you have remedial and accelerated programs for students who may be underachieving or overachieving in academic areas? Additional Resource: Greatschools.net - http://www.greatschools.net Questions To Ask While Visiting Schools

22. Be Involved Read with your child and show an interest in what is happening in school each day Encourage your child to read as much as possible Establish a good relationship with your child’s teacher Help teach your child good study skills Help your child learn to manage homework Enroll your child in an after-school program that will help your child with the work he/she must do in the regular school day Regularly communicate the importance of learning at home. Your child needs to be excited about learning Show your child how to be organized Talk to your child about school Talk with your child about respect for self and others, hard work and responsibility How can I help my child be successful in middle school?

23. Consult with your child’s school to see what safety strategies they employ Get a printed copy of the following: Discipline code School calendar School bell schedule School handbook Visit the campus: Take a look around Ask about the discipline policies Investigate the Parent - Teacher Association How can I find out if my child's school is really safe?

24. What are my rights as it pertains to my child's school? Parents have rights at their child’s school, and some of the most common ones are noted below. These rights are outlined by the California Department of Education. • Family-School Partnership Act• Elementary and Secondary Act • Family involvement • Classroom observation • Teacher conferencing • Volunteering • Student attendance • Student testing • School selection • Safe school environment • Curriculum materials • Student academic progress  • Student records • Standards • School rules • Psychological testing • Councils and committees • Policy development  • School contracts You should also be aware of the following policy: • California Strategic Plan for Parental Involvement in Education

25. More students at the school and in classes Changing classes and more teachers New curriculum New school schedule More after-school activities and programs How is middle school different from elementary school?

26. How can I be a more active middle school parent?At Home

27. At School

28. How can I feel know generally what is going on in my child's school? • Get Involved • Keep a school calendar of activities and events posted at home  • Read the school newsletters • Join the school board or a parent club or association • Know your child’s school family • Donate time to your child’s school  • Talk to the school secretary • Talk to your child’s teachers

29. Are there any special considerations and new responsibilities as a middle school parent?

30. How do I build a relationship with my child's teacher? To make communication easier with your child’s teacher, here are some things that you should remember: ·  Make your first interaction with your child’s teacher a positive one ·  Don’t get angry before getting the facts ·  Talk to the teacher if you have a problem before you go to the principal ·  Teachers welcome ongoing dialogues with parents because it gives them a better understanding of their students For those parents who speak a different language: ·  Make regular visits to your child’s school. · Find someone at the school who speaks your language  · Ask about language classes offered at the school

31. When should I ask for a parent-teacher conference, and how do I get the most from the conference? • As a parent, you should ask for a conference with your child’s teacher for the following reasons: • ·  If you want to find out how your child is doing in school • ·  If there is a dramatic change in your child’s behavior that lasts for an extended period of time • ·  If your child is having repeated problems with homework assignments ·  If an unusual or difficult circumstance arises, including death, serious illness or marital problems ·  Provide teachers with information that will allow them to assist your child • ·  If your child tells you that the teacher said or did something that you do not like • ·  If your child is going to be out of school for more than a couple of days

32. Educators recommend that sixth graders be given homework each school day that requires between 20 to 40 minutes of time to complete. For seventh and eighth graders, the amount of time spent on homework should increase to an average of about 2 hours per day. How much homework should my middle school student have?

33. How much should I get involved with my child's homework?

34. Students get little or no homework Students aren’t required to do homework Teachers don’t regularly correct homework or give feedback Many homework assignments consist of easy projects or repetitive drills that require little thinking Teachers tell you that homework does not serve a purpose or do much good Class time is used for children to do their homework before they go home Warning Signs of a Poor Homework Program

35. How do I motivate my child to achieve academically?

36. How do I get my child to study? • Let him/her know how important studying is to the whole learning process • Set up a study area - Make sure this area is free of distractions so that your child is able to focus on his/her schoolwork • Set a specific time to study each day - Structure allows children to create a routine • Ask your child’s teacher how much time should be dedicated to studying each night • Keep track of assignments. Monitor your child’s understanding of the lessons he/she is working on • Have your child practice taking notes, and review them with him/her • Help your child to learn how to study productively with others

37. Serve as a role model · Make visiting the library a habit · Give books as gifts · Use the newspaper to encourage daily reading · Share stories from your personal reading when talking to your child · Surround your child with quality literature · Incorporate reading into your family routines and activities · Make sure that your child reads or that someone else reads to him/her daily · Read aloud to your child, particularly when he/she is under five years of age How do I motivate my child to enjoy reading?

38. How do I make sure that my child continues to learn during the summer months? • Formal summer school • Summer tutoring • Summer camp • Obtain a summer reading list from the school • Family exploration activities and trips

39. · Parent-Teacher conferences · Parent nights  · Back-to-School nights · Open House nights Other activities at your child’s school that you may want to attend include: School board meetings · Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meetings What school activities should I attend throughout the year?

40. Your child should attend as many school activities as possible. Here are some examples of important school activities: Testing Days Student orientations Assemblies Open houses Back-to-school nights To get a complete list of what is offered, contact the school. The school should provide a calendar of events and a list of student-support programs. What school activities should my child attend throughout the year?

41. Contact your child’s school  ·   Contact your local public transportation agency -http://www.i5usa.com/public_transportation/ ·  Contact your school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA)  I do not have transportation to get my child to after-school, weekend or extracurricular school activities. What can I do?

42. Student assessment and standardized tests are designed to measure your child’s aptitude and academic achievement level, plus identify areas for improvement Depending on the type taken, the test will compare your child’s achievement level to state standards or to that of his/her peers Some tests will assess if your child is meeting, exceeding or falling below the state standards Some tests will compare your child’s achievement level against all other students at their grade level who took the test nationwide Assessment tests are also used to help determine the academic performance of the school What are student assessments or standardized tests?

43. Monitor and measure what your child has learned Help to identify the areas in which he/she may need additional assistance Uncover school deficiencies or problem areas College admission Why are these Tests Important?

44. • Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT); • High School Exit Exam (HSEE); • SAT I Reasoning Test (SAT); and • American College Test (ACT). Tests To Be Familiar With

45. To find out what other pre-college programs are available in your area, check with the school and with local community churches and organizations. Here are some programs that may be available in your area: 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) California Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS)   California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP)   Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Puente Project Talent Search TRIO Programs University of California Links (UC Links) Upward Bound Upward Bound Math/Science What are the various college preparation programs currently available for middle school students?

46. To learn about groups offering programs in your area, inquire at your child’s school, the school district office and with community and faith-based organizations. Here are some sample programs that may be available in your area National Parent Education Network (NPEN) Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Parents as Teachers (PAT) National Center Parents for Public Schools (PPS) Partnership for Family Involvement in Education (PFIE) What are some of the existing support programs for parents?

47. Category: Parent Communication & Social Issues Job Role: Parent

48. • Physical • Mental/Emotional  • Social   What emotional changes and challenges should I expect in my middle school student?

49. Discuss the benefits of participation with your child Discuss positive outcomes of participation Help your child choose activities that are of interest to him/her How do I deal with a child who does not want to participate in school activities?

50. Highlighted below are some key factors that may prove challenging for your child during the adolescent stage of development: • Separation • Exploration • Violence • Peer Pressure • Gangs • Drugs and Alcohol • Conflicts • Nutrition • Puberty • Lack of Focus • Self-Esteem What are the non-school related issues that my child may face during adolescence?