Transitioning into High School: Changes that Shape your Child’s Success in School

High school offers:  More freedom and more choices.  The opportunity to participate in more activities.  The opportunity to develop new friendships.

High school can also bring academic and social challenges... Harder classes and more homework. Greater social pressures to fit in.

Academic success is measured by … Completion of credit requirements Passing the High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE) Adequate preparation for college or career

ASD Graduation Credit Requirements (1 credit = 1 full school year) 4 credits language arts 3 credits science 4 credits social studies 1.5 credits PE/Health 2.5 credits math 7.5 credits electives Total of 22.5 credits = 6 credits per year

High School Graduation Qualifying Exam (HSGQE) credits = High School Diploma Students must pass the HSGQE by meeting or exceeding state proficiency levels in reading, writing, and math. The HSGQE is taken for the first time in10 th grade. Students who don’t pass all 3 parts of the HSGQE can retest in 11 th and 12 th grade.

9 th Grade Class Requirements A 9 th grade students takes the following classes: Language Arts – 1 cr.Math -1 cr. Science – 1 cr.Health/PE – 1 cr. Social Studies – 1 cr.Elective – 1 cr 85% of 9 th grade students that complete 6 full-year course credits are “on track” to graduate in 4 years. Failing one class reduces the percentage to 70%. Allensworth & Easton (2005)..

Will your child be prepared for college and career? School counselors usually recommend students for specific math, science, or language arts classes based upon their grades and testing in middle school. If your child has been placed in regular classes but is motivated to take higher level classes, you may request placement in the advanced academic track.

Adolescent Development and Social Pressures For most kids, there is increased focus on friendships and “fitting in” that starts at the middle school level and continues into the 9 th grade. Some students may lose confidence in themselves and try to be like others..

Negative changes in any of the following can significantly affect success in school: Attitude Attendance Achievement

Changes in Attitude Parents are our earliest sources of attitude. Later attitudes are influenced by peers and the media –Conformity: Trying to fit in. –Group think: Can lead to risky or violent behavior

What the Research Says… A review of the research shows that parental expectations have the greatest effect on student achievement. Harvard Family Research Digest (2005)

What parents can do: Talk with your child about your expectations for their behavior at school, academic achievement, future college/career goals. Do your goals and your child’s goals match? (If your child keeps clear goals in mind, school will seem more important).

Changes in Attendance Sometimes a child starts to skip school or a class, or makes excuses to stay home from school. –This behavior has a huge impact on grades and can quickly lead to failing the class and even dropping out of school.

What the Research Says… One of the most powerful predictors of whether a student will complete high school is attendance during the first year of high school. The biggest predictor of dropout is the number of absences in the first 30 days of high school. (Allensworth & Easton, 2007)

What parents can do… Unless your child is ill, expect that he or she attend every class, every day. Check with the school’s attendance clerk if you suspect your child is skipping classes. Don’t wait! Make an appointment with the school counselor and teachers as soon as you become aware of an attendance problem.

Importance of Achievement High school seems much more difficult and demanding than middle school. –Learning how to study and how to manage time is critically important to gaining the necessary credits for promotion into the next grade and for graduation.

What the Research Says… Students who fail one or more courses in the first semester of 9 th grade are at higher risk of dropping out before graduation. (Allensworth & Easton, 2007)

What Parents Can Do Talk with your child about future goals and how high school is a vital part of reaching those goals Work with the teachers and counselors to create a plan for extra support or a class change if needed. Learn the credit requirements for graduation, classes that lead to college and career choices that meet your goals, and steps to getting ready for college. Make this a part of your regular dialogue with your child.

Positive activities for your teen to be involved with at school

School Activities Encourage your child to get involved in sports, clubs, or organizations. –Drama-Yearbook –Debate-Native Youth Olympics –Band/Orchestra/Choir-Student Government

Some of the sports options may include: Soccer Softball Basketball Track Cheerleading Wrestling

High school can be stressful for your child. You can help manage the stress. Provide healthy food and snack choices at home. Encourage regular exercise. Routinely allow 9 – 10 hours of sleep per night.

Your child is learning how to be a successful adult Model patience and understanding. Talk about mistakes; view them as opportunities for your child to learn more about themselves and clarify values. Apply appropriate consequences for poor choices.

Most Importantly Stay connected… with the school, with other parents, with your child.

Comments/Questions and Evaluations

Citations Allensworth, E., & Easton, J. (2005). The on-track indicator as a predictor of high school graduation. Chicago:Consortium on Chicago School Research. Allensworth, E., & Easton, J. Q. (2007). What matters for staying on- track and graduating in Chicago Public High Schools: A close look at course grades, failures and attendance in the freshman year. Chicago: Consortium on Chicago School Research. Jeynes, William H., Parental Involvement and Student Achievement: A Meta-Analysis, Harvard Family Research Digests, December 2005.

ANCHORAGE Alaska Parent Information and Resource Center Julie Jessal, Project Coordinator 805 W. 3 rd Avenue Anchorage, Alaska JUNEAU Alaska Parent Information and Resource Center Julie Staley, Project Director 210 Ferry Way Juneau, Alaska