1. INSTRUCTIONS Materials Needed:
Power Point Presentation + Computer + Projector
1 checklist/participant (students, parents or educators) oregongoestocollege.org/itsaplan/educators/downloads
An idea for the “20 Questions” activity.
Approximate Time: 30 minutes (includes time for participant think-pair-shares and activities)
Delete this slide before you begin.

2. INSTRUCTIONS
This power point presentation walks through Oregon Goes To College’s It’s A Plan checklists for 10th grade for students and parents (also useful for staff, as well).
Use the talking points as a basic script in the notes provided below each slide. Refer to any printed checklists that you provide the audience (or have them access it on their personal device at oregongoestocollege.org/itsaplan).
Depending on your audience, you won’t need all of the talking points. Delete what you won’t need.
Delete this slide before you begin.

3. 10TH GRADE CHECKLISTS FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS
College: It’s A Plan
10TH GRADE CHECKLISTS FOR STUDENTS & PARENTS
Welcome!
Today we’re going to be talking about the steps that 10th grade students need to take in order to be ready for education after high school and the ways that parents and educators can support them.
Oregon Goes To College offers free resources to help students, parents and educators prepare for education after high school and is a statewide initiative of Oregon GEAR UP, a federally-funded program that helps students prepare for and succeed in college. We will be walking through Oregon Goes To College’s checklist – you can find checklists for middle school through 12th grade on their website, oregongoestocollege.org.
The checklist is broken down into three sections: Achieve, Engage and Explore. We’ll cover the basics in this presentation – more details are available on the printed checklists as well as on the website.
oregongoestocollege.org

4. WHAT IS
COLLEGE?
College = any type of formal education or training after earning a high school diploma or GED. This can be a certificate or an Associates Degree from a community college, a Bachelor’s degree from a 4-year public or private college or university, or an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.

5. ACHIEVE
How to be successful in school.

6. I’m thinking about __________.
20 QUESTIONS
I’m thinking about __________.
The audience may ask 20 yes/no questions in order to guess the object/person/location etc. Make it specific to your school!
This activity focuses on the importance of asking questions and working as a team. As school gets more challenging, it’s important to ask friends, teachers, and other adults for support.

7. Do well in school.
Academic preparation is the most important thing in being ready for college. Key tips:
Set and share goals/expectations. What do you want to accomplish and how will you get there?
Build good habits – learn how to take notes, make outlines and do research.
Go to all of your classes – if you’re not in school, it’s hard to do well.
Read! Reading improves your focus, concentration, imagination and knowledge – in short, it makes you smarter!
Practice good written and oral communication skills.
Parents: Ask questions about your student’s teachers, classes, homework etc. Keep track of grades and reach out to teachers or the school if there are questions or concerns.
Note: If you have provided a copy of the checklist to your audience, point out each of the specific tasks as they appear on the checklist and let them know they’ll find more detail and links to resources on the website. If you have a mixed audience (students and parents), show them how their checklists are similar – they address the same topics, but that they are also different – they provide information and resources that are specific to their audience. If you have parents in your audience, show them the ‘Conversation Starters’ and encourage them to use these as a way to communicate.

8. Take the right classes.
Make sure you’re on the right track to graduate from high school and go on to college.
Take advanced or honors classes.
Take a foreign or world language – Oregon public universities require two years of the same foreign/world language.
Take math all four years of high school.
Explore the opportunity to earn college credit in high school.
Take a full schedule – try out new electives if you are able.
Parents: Talk to school staff to make sure your student is on track.

9. Get organized. What works for you?
Use a paper or digital planner or calendar to keep track of assignments and deadlines.
Find a system that works for you to keep notes and papers organized like a binder or folders.
Practice good study habits. Determine the place that you study best (at home or at the library, for example).
Create/update a file for important documents – report cards, awards, activities. This will be helpful when applying to college and for scholarships.

10. Prepare for college admission tests.
Take the PSAT 10 or ACT ASPIRE Test.
Review the scores with a teacher or adult to find out what areas you need to work on.

11. ENGAGE
Pursue out-of-school activities and hang out with the right people.

12. Who is your favorite adult at the school? Why?
THINK  PAIR  SHARE
Who is your favorite adult at the school? Why?
Participants can draw a picture, briefly write some words or a poem, and/or discuss with someone sitting near them.
Who is your favorite adult at the school? Why?
Have participants share out if time allows.

13. GET INVOLVED Try something new!
Get involved in school activities – club, sport, student government.
Volunteer!
Make a plan for the summer – volunteer, get a job, or find a summer program.

14. SPEND TIME WITH GOOD PEOPLE
Choose to hang out with friends that have positive goals and interests.
Find a trusted adult (parent, teacher, coach, religious leader, older student) that you can trust and talk to.
Parents: Get to know your student’s friends and their parents.

15. MAKE GOOD CHOICES Be safe online and on your phone.
Avoid risky behaviors like drinking, drugs, and having unprotected sex.
Be kind; treat others with respect.

16. EXPLORE
College and career search!

17. Describe your perfect college.
THINK  PAIR  SHARE
Describe your perfect college.
Participants should draw a picture and/or discuss with someone sitting near them.
Describe your perfect college. Small or large? In the city or in a small town? What kinds of activities would you be able to do there?
Have participants share out if time allows.

18. EXPLORE COLLEGE & CAREER OPTIONS
Explore different occupations that match your interests.
Think about what you might want in a college.
Make a list of colleges and universities that interest you.
Think broadly: include two-year and four-year options as well as in-state and out-of-state choices.
Confirm that these colleges have the program or major for your chosen careers.
Research admission requirements for each college to make sure you’re on track.
Visit a college campus on a field trip with your school or your family to get a feel for what college is like.
Visit a college fair or explore college websites online.

19. LEARN ABOUT PAYING FOR COLLEGE
College is affordable. Financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships, work-study) can help.
Understand college costs – net price v. sticker price.
Fill out the FAFSA4Caster with your family to determine how much financial aid you may be eligible for.
Set up a college savings account and contribute to it regularly.
Search and apply for scholarships.
photo: Sal Falko

20. oregongoestocollege.org/itsaplan
oregongoestocollege orgoestocollege
As a final reminder, if you lose the printed checklist or just want to get a jump on what’s next, checklists for students and parents are available (with helpful links) on oregongoestocollege.org/itsaplan. As a school, we will be helping remind students and parents as well to make sure everyone is on track.
oregongoestocollege.org