Being Proactive is the Key!, pulls from my over eighteen years of experience serving as a school counselor and provided nuggets that I felt would help parents better navigate the school system.

Once you have a grasp on the operating functions of a school, the role your parenting style plays in the process, and the services, resources and options available you can better strategize for your child’s postsecondary planning.

The book contains 20 essential tips that I feel parents need to know to give their child a great head start.  In order to get that head start, parents need to be aware of all of the types of classes and programs are available. Below is a tip from the book that provides a sample list of available options.

Enjoy this sneak peek of the book and make sure you get a copy!

Tip #11: Educate Yourself on Available Classes and Programs

Students have options regarding the type of classes they can take. Not all schools have the same programs, but the most common are listed below:

Remedial Classes: These courses allow students to gain a basic foundation before entering a standard course (i.e. taking Pre-Algebra, Algebra IA or IB, before taking Algebra I).

College Prep: A general course that any school offers in the areas of Math, English, Science, and Social Studies.

Honors: A course that prepares students for college-level work. The student must be recommended by a teacher and/or must meet a prerequisite as per the Student Handbook. If your child is not recommended and you feel strongly about it, see the counselor or designee that creates the schedule. In most cases, there is a waiver that you can sign, or you can send an email to an administrator and request a meeting.

Technical and Trade School: Specialized half day or full day programs that allow the student to learn a trade or craft in areas such as Early Childhood Education, Cosmetology, Auto Body & Collision, Construction, and Networking Technology. These programs give students a head start and build self-confidence in regards to post-secondary education options (trade school, 2-year or 4-year programs). Most programs have options for students to earn college credit. Students that are in a special education program can opt to extend their participation in the program beyond graduation.

Advanced Placement (AP): Advanced classes that have more weighted credit than an honors course.  Once the class is completed, the student will take a test administered by the College Board (the company that administers the SAT). The scores range from a 1 to 5. If a score of 4 is achieved, often times a college course can be waived. If a student takes a few AP classes and obtains this score, they could shave a few courses from their college roster, which can result in tuition savings or possible early graduation. These play a key role in class rank and/or GPA.

Dual Enrollment: Your child’s school works in conjunction with a college to obtain college credit.  The student may have the option of taking a college course at a local college or taking the course at school taught by a teacher certified by the college.  The school may list the course on the student’s transcript (a record of all high school classes and standardized test scores). If not, when applying to college the student can submit the transcript from the college. 

Virtual Classes: A computer-based course that a student can take during the school day.  These classes are typically reserved for upperclassmen who may have exhausted the curriculum at school and/or want to take a specialized course that most schools don’t offer. Honors level courses are available.

Alternative School/Credit Recovery: Your school district may be associated with an alternative school that will accommodate a student with behavioral difficulties or who has a need to recover lost credits so they may graduate on time. These schools typically are smaller in size and provide more individualized attention. Students are placed in the school per administration approval, or a parent can request an application to attend. Space in these environments is very limited.

Cyber/Online School: A computer-based program where the student takes all courses online with a special school. There may be elective classes like health and physical education, where requirements can be satisfied at a local gym or bowling alley.  These courses may be taught live, recorded video, or with assistance by email or phone. The student will have access to their teachers, school counselors, and principals. These programs of course recognize IEP’s and 504 plans.

Homebound Instruction:  A program that accommodates students who cannot attend school for a period of time.  A student typically needs to be out a minimum of  6-8 weeks, and a doctor’s note is needed to initiate the service.  Typically, the school sends a certified teacher to meet with the student (at home or in a public place like a library) in all core subjects and possibly an elective course.  Student typically receives one hour a week per subject.

 

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