Back-to-School Strategies: Pump Up the Energy

Wait, didn’t summer just begin? Feels that way, but school starts next month and it’s not too early to get your children motivated. Here are a few tips to begin the transition back to school, structure, and scholastic success!

• Help your high school freshman book a meeting with a school counselor so he or she can enroll in rigorous classes for the upcoming school year.
• Check out free upcoming national college fair dates and plan a trip or two in the fall. With so many colleges on tap under one roof, you get a lot of bang for your buck. Find a fair destination within driving distance and you’ll save on gas, time, and hotel bills. Or check with your junior high or high school to see if they’re planning a college fair.
• Register your high schooler to take the September 12 ACT test. Registration deadline is August 7, 2009.
• Begin returning to a normal routine several weeks before school. Your teen or tween needs sleep to succeed. Set bedtime a little earlier; set the alarm clock to ring a little earlier each week. Come school time, your child won’t be cursed by sleep debt.
• Sit down with your child to plan fall academic and extracurricular events and activities on a master family calendar. Your teen can then program the dates into his or her cell phone, computer, or good old-fashioned paper calendar. Doing this will ensure you’re all, literally, on the same page.
• Listen to ACT’s 8-part podcast series “What I’ve Learned Since High School” with your teenager to stimulate discussions about college and careers.

Making the Most Out of Junior High

ACT’s startling Forgotten Middle report shows that “fewer than two in ten eighth graders are on target to be ready for college-level work by the time they graduate from high school.” In other words, “more than eight of ten eighth-grade students do not have the knowledge and skills they need to enter high school and succeed there.”

As a parent, you play a significant and critical role in your pre-teen’s life. Make the most of this time by partnering with your son’s or daughter’s teachers and counselors. Stay strong and set guidelines for your child.

Your junior-high-aged son or daughter should know that:

1. Homework comes first. Work before pleasure.
2. Challenging classes are essential. English, science, languages, math, and social studies should form the basis of your child's studies. Electives are great, but the basics come first.
3. Reading is critical. Reading for fun, reading for knowledge, reading for research — reading pays big dividends.
4. Clubs, sports and volunteering are great ways to find a niche. Encourage your teen to get involved at school, in the community or at church. The pre-teen and teen years can be a period of introspection and self-focus. Giving to others fosters empathy; getting involved in activities builds confidence and helps develop supportive friendships.

Why Math Matters

Figures don’t lie. And all the data adds up to the same conclusion. Students who take more math classes are better prepared for college, according to ACT research. In fact, students who take four or more math classes attain higher scores on the ACT.

Strong math skills are also critical for success in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 80% of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States require some training after high school.

"We can't afford to have one expectation for students who plan to attend college and another for those who plan to enter the workforce or workforce training programs after high school," said ACT CEO Richard L. Ferguson.

ACT recommends at least three years of mathematics, at a minimum rigorous courses in Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II.

But what if you have a son or daughter who is only lukewarm about math? Take note, strike the right chord and you may turn them on to the subject through music. Introduce your child to music or foster a current passion for music. Piano, tuba, guitar, singing, percussion — they’re all good. Research has shown the interconnection between the languages of math and music. Visit the National Association for Music Education or Thinkquest to learn more.

As a parent, you set the tone. During the summer months, encourage your child to explore websites that challenge and motivate him or her to learn more about math. For some online fun, check out the global classroom, visit the Harvey Mudd college math department website, experience Math Madness, or role play at Engineer Girl.

2009–2010 ACT Test Date Schedule

Students may register online or pick up registration packets from their high school counseling offices. The cost for the traditional ACT test is $32. When combined with the optional ACT Plus Writing test, the total cost is $47. For those who qualify, fee waivers are available from high school counselors.

In next month’s edition:

• College Checklist
• Homework Help
• Career Exploration

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