Help your student establish homework strategies

Homework is a valuable part of learning. Though your teen probably thinks it's a pain, homework does help to cement lessons taught in class. You can encourage your student to develop solid homework strategies.

• Assume that your child will have homework every night.
  Even if he or she completed all assignments, take time to review them together. It's easier to see any errors when looking at a project the second time around. Remind your student to look ahead to long-term assignments like research papers or science projects. Use "leftover" homework time to enhance solid studying habits by reviewing notes or assigned readings.
• Don't be intimidated by homework.
  Your kids are learning about different things than when you were in school. Have your student explain concepts to you and work together to check the work. If your student needs help in a subject that just isn't your cup of tea, ask a teacher for additional resources such as tutors or homework help services.
• Make it a routine.
  Help set a place and time for doing homework. Ensure that there are minimal distractions and that you are available, if possible. The adage states that it takes three weeks to develop a habit. Work with your teen to practice a homework routine and it should become second nature before long.

Several online resources are available to help in developing homework strategies. The National Education Association has valuable homework tips for parents. And ACT offers homework motivation ideas for parents.

Paying for college

Paying for college isn't easy. Tuition costs are outpacing inflation rates and an unsteady economy adds to the stress. A recent Sallie Mae/Gallup study shows that the average family covers nearly 40 percent of college costs by borrowing. Be sure to use scholarships, grants and other funding sources before turning to loans. Using loans without understanding them could lead to a financial burden for you and your student down the road.

Private lenders, states and the federal government make student loans. Each has advantages and disadvantages associated with them. State loan programs vary, so check what is available in your home state.

Federal loans offer a number of advantages, including easier repayment terms, lower interest rates and deferment options should your student choose to go back to school. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) serves as the application form for federal loans, which include subsidized and unsubsidized Stafford loans and PLUS loans for parents. The FAFSA becomes available January 1, so be sure to complete it and submit it early to ensure your student receives his or her fair share of aid. Award letters will come directly from each school to which your student has applied for financial aid.

Private student loans are an alternative, but generally have higher interest rates and less flexible repayment terms, while requiring a credit check and possibly a co-signor to share the burden if the student defaults. Private lending resources have tightened up recently. Since late 2007 many lenders have stopped making private student loans, forcing many students to seek other sources.

The Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Gateway is an informative student loan source. Be sure to check it out. And if your teen isn't ready for college yet, browse the FAFSA4caster to get a head start on college financing. Visit ACT's financial aid need estimator to calculate your expected family contribution and costs at specific colleges.

The value of a college education

Though there is a lot of disagreement about the monetary value of a degree, the fact that it is an earned lifetime credential is indisputable. A college education does help an individual transition more easily between careers and those with degrees are more likely to weather an economic downturn better. Some research suggests that a college education is becoming more necessary for more and more jobs.

In a recent presentation at ACT, Roger Sampson, president of the Education Commission of the States pointed out some startling facts. Between 1965 and 2005, the number of jobs requiring a college degree held relatively stable. However, a larger percentage of jobs that pay a salary above the poverty line for a family of four now require a degree.

Education is key to helping our children succeed globally. You can help by creating a college-going environment in your home, by talking early and often about college and career choices, and by ensuring that your student is prepared for college. ACT recommends that students take a core curriculum of at least:

• four years of English
• three years of mathematics, including rigorous courses in Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II
• three years of science, including rigorous courses in biology, chemistry and physics
• three years of social studies

While the U.S. higher education system is considered one of the tops in the world, a higher percentage of U.S. students require remedial classes just to catch up to college-level work. Encourage your children to take tough classes and to reach for high expectations so they will be competitive and successful in a global economy.

Using EXPLORE^®, PLAN^® and ACT^® test scores

Steve was planning on a long career in professional baseball and wasn't concentrating on his classwork until he took EXPLORE. Like most students, he saw tests as something to take and get past—quickly. But his counselor helped explain his EXPLORE information and he began to understand that he would need to work hard in class to get into college and have a shot at professional baseball. His diamond skills simply would not be enough.

ACT's EXPLORE and PLAN give students information to help plan for the future. They help students prepare for college and the ACT test. EXPLORE, PLAN and the ACT are designed to work together to help students make educational and career plans starting in eighth grade or at the beginning of ninth grade. PLAN is for tenth graders and the ACT is for high school juniors and seniors.

Each of these programs includes a test with four parts—English, math, science and reading—and each offers an interest inventory. The inventory leads to career information for students based on their interests, abilities and work preferences.

Students can use test scores to find out how well they know the subject matter and what they need to learn next. This will help them to prepare for college and to do better on the ACT.

The best-kept secret is that students can get a predicted score range for the next test. A student's EXPLORE results include a predicted score range for PLAN. The estimation assumes that the student will take additional coursework and have some academic growth. The same thing goes for the PLAN results. Students receive a predicted ACT score range on the PLAN report; again, assuming additional coursework and academic growth.

Score information is for the student as much as it is for the counselor and admissions officers. For more information visit:

• Frequently Asked Questions about the EXPLORE Test
• Frequently Asked Questions About the PLAN Test
• Frequently Asked Questions about the ACT Test

ACT test date reminder

The next 2008 – 2009 ACT national test dates are December 13, 2008, and February 7, 2009. The registration deadline has passed for the December test date. However, late registration, with an additional fee, runs through November 20, 2008. Regular registration for the February test date runs through January 6, 2009.

An optional Writing Test is available in addition to the multiple-choice achievement test. Find out about the Writing Test on the ACT student website, including the colleges that require it.

On the ACT student website, check out the test prep aids. Free sample questions are available along with test-day tips, a list of what to bring, and approved calculators for use on the Math Test.

Preparing for the ACT, a booklet with a complete practice test, scoring key, writing prompt, and sample essays, is available to download on the Test Prep section of actstudent.org. The ACT registration packet, available from the counseling office, also contains the booklet. Sign up for ACT Online Prep™, the only test prep program developed exclusively by ACT test development professionals. It is a very inexpensive tool your student can use for a full year.

For all your questions about the ACT test, visit ACT's student website.

See also:

ACT's Information for Parents

The ACT

PLAN

EXPLORE

Financial Aid

College Search

Careers