High School Teacher / Counselor Guide: Postsecondary Planning

High School Teacher/ Counselor Guide:Defined Careers Postsecondary Planning (PDF)

Teacher/ Counselor Guide: Defined Careers Postsecondary Planning

Empowering Students for the Future: The Defined Careers Postsecondary Preparedness collection is an innovative and comprehensive set of projects designed to guide high school students through the multifaceted world of postsecondary education and career planning. Developed in alignment with the American School Counselor Association Standards, this curriculum is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and equipping students with essential skills and knowledge for their future educational and career endeavors.

Collection Structure: Spanning grades 9 through 12, the program offers a progressive, in-depth exploration of critical topics, each tailored to the developmental stage and needs of the students. From understanding personal interests and strengths in Grade 9 to finalizing postsecondary choices in Grade 12, the curriculum is meticulously crafted to build upon each year's learnings, ensuring a cohesive and comprehensive educational journey.

Key Focus Areas:

Career Exploration and Readiness: Introduces students to a variety of career pathways and industries, helping them to align their personal interests with potential career options.
Academic Planning and Performance: Guides students in making informed decisions about their high school courses and how these choices impact their future educational and career opportunities.
Postsecondary Education Preparation: Covers essential aspects of college readiness, including application processes, financial aid, scholarship opportunities, and understanding postsecondary costs.
Skill Development: Emphasizes critical thinking, decision-making, media and technology skills, and self-motivation, all crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving world.
Personal Growth and Responsibility: Encourages students to engage in extracurricular activities, balance various aspects of life, and take responsibility for their actions and choices.

Flexible Implementation: Each lesson is designed to stand alone, allowing educators to tailor the curriculum based on the specific needs and interests of their students. This flexibility makes it an invaluable resource for schools offering specialized courses like College Seminar. Teachers and counselors can use the PDF documents to teach the content or have students access the content from their Defined Careers account.

The Defined Careers Postsecondary Preparedness program is a comprehensive guide for educators to support and inspire students as they navigate their high school years and prepare for the challenges and opportunities of adulthood and postsecondary life. This curriculum is an essential tool in the educational toolkit, fostering a generation of well-prepared, informed, and motivated young adults ready to take on the world.

Teacher/ Counselor Guide:Defined Careers Postsecondary Planning

How to access the lessons: The best way to access the lessons is on the Defined Careers platform. Filter by collection and select Postsecondary Lessons to view the projects. You can assign the project to students or students can enroll in the projects within their course library. We have also created PDF lesson plans for teachers, which are linked below.

Parent Communication: The parent communication document(s) can be shared with parents on your website or included in newsletters. These documents include an overview of the lesson, discussion questions and resources. Individual links to these documents can be found below.

Defined Careers Postsecondary Projects: Grade 9

Lesson & Parent Communication

Project Description

9.1 Pathways Matching Assessment: Introduction to Different Career Pathways and Industries

Students look closely at their Pathways Matching Assessment to explore various career clusters and pathways, aligning their personal interests and skills with potential career fields. The project involves analyzing assessment results to create a personalized action plan, guiding students in making informed decisions about their educational and career trajectories.

9.2 Make High School Count: Revisiting Your Four Year Course Plan

9.3 Life After High School: Exploring Post-Secondary Options

9.4 Building a Strong High School Resume

Students will revisit and refine their Four-Year Course Plan, aligning their high school curriculum with future academic and career goals. The task involves thoughtful consideration of course selections, emphasizing the importance of AP and dual enrollment options. Students are guided to tailor their education towards their aspirations, ensuring readiness for post-high school success.

Students explore various post-high school paths, including college, technical education, gap year, military, employment, and entrepreneurship. The project involves creating a comparison chart detailing costs, prerequisites, and programs for each option, aiding students in making informed decisions for their future after graduation.

Students create a high school resume, highlighting their academic, extracurricular, and community achievements. This task, emphasizing personal and professional development, guides students to showcase their journey beyond academics, preparing them for college or whatever they choose to do after high school. The

Defined Careers Postsecondary Projects: Grade 10

10.1 Why are standardized tests important?	Students will gain insights into standardized tests' importance for college admissions. We'll delve into key exams like SAT, ACT, and PSAT/NMSQT, decode their differences, and share expert strategies for success. Discover how strong scores can impact your college journey and future scholarship opportunities.
10.2 Exploring Careers and Education Paths	Students embark on a journey to explore various college majors, certifications, and training courses, along with the exciting career prospects they unlock. By reflecting on their own interests and strengths, students will uncover potential paths that align with their aspirations, helping them make informed decisions about their future education and career choices.
10.3 Exploring and refining my Interests/ Resume Update	Students will update their high school resumes by reflecting on and adding new experiences such as virtual internships, job roles, and Defined Careers courses. The aim is to create a well-rounded and impactful resume that demonstrates their skills and interests to teachers, counselors, college admission officers, potential employers, and family members.
10.4 Types of College Aid & Scholarships 10.5 Evaluating Post-Secondary Costs: Making Informed Choices	Students will explore the critical aspects of financing their college education. They will gain an understanding of scholarships, grants, loans, and financial aid, as well as their roles in managing college expenses. The primary goal is to equip students with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions about funding their college journey. Students will delve into the financial aspects of various post-secondary options, such as college, trade school, or entering the workforce. They will gather information on tuition fees, scholarships, apprenticeship stipends, military benefits, and more. The primary goal is to provide students with a clear understanding of the costs associated with each path, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future endeavors.

Defined Careers Postsecondary Projects: Grade 11

11.1 Understanding the college application timeline and requirements	Students will explore the college admissions process, gaining insights into timelines, requirements, and key steps. The goal is to empower them with essential knowledge and tools for confident decision-making on their path to higher education.
11.2 Refining Your College Search	Students will refine their college search by aligning personal preferences with effective research. This project guides high school students in creating a college list that suits their unique needs and aspirations, ensuring well-informed decisions for their college journey.
11.3 Exploring Gap Year and Alternative Pathways 11.4 Recommendation Letters and Job Referrals 11.5 The College Essay: Part 1	Students will explore gap year and alternative pathways as viable options beyond the traditional college route. This project equips high school students with the knowledge and tools to assess the pros and cons of these alternative paths, empowering them to create a personalized plan for a gap year or alternative learning journey tailored to their goals and aspirations. Students will gain valuable insights into the process of securing strong recommendation letters and references, a crucial component of their post-secondary applications. This project aims to equip proactive high school students with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively request and obtain endorsements from credible sources, enhancing the quality of their college, job, or program applications. Students will brainstorm and outline their college essay or personal statement, aiming to effectively communicate their unique story and aspirations. This essay is vital for humanizing applicants, showcasing their writing skills, and demonstrating their fit with the institution. It allows students to stand out and make a lasting impression in the competitive admissions process.

Defined Careers Postsecondary Projects: Grade 12

12.1 College Essay: Part 2	Students will brainstorm and outline their college essay or personal statement, aiming to effectively communicate their unique story and aspirations. This essay is vital for humanizing applicants, showcasing their writing skills, and demonstrating their fit with the institution. It allows students to stand out and make a lasting impression in the competitive admissions process.
12.2 Applying for Financial Aid and Scholarships	Students will learn how to apply for financial aid, decipher aid offers, and take strategic steps to secure funding for their college education. This knowledge is essential as college costs continue to rise.
12.3 Evaluating Financial Aid and Scholarships	Students will learn to interpret and respond to college financial aid letters, ensuring they make informed decisions about funding their education. They will also gain insight into the implications of different forms of financial aid and scholarships during the college application process.
12.4 Finalizing Your Postsecondary Choices 12.5 Preparing for Postsecondary Life	Students will navigate and finalize their post-secondary decisions by considering various factors such as self-reflection, research, financial considerations, and alignment with future goals. They will write a reflective piece on their final choice, using both logical and emotional perspectives to ensure a well-informed decision that aligns with their aspirations and practical considerations. Students will explore and understand the essential skills and resources necessary for a successful transition to their chosen post-high school path, whether it's college, a gap year, trade school, or the workforce. They will create a personal transition plan that includes goals and strategies for mental health, physical health, building relationships, finding and using resources, and enhancing executive functioning skills. This plan will help them proactively address the challenges and opportunities of this significant transition.