Paths to Success
How to Jumpstart Your Child's Future
You want to help your child be ready and excited for high school and beyond. The good news is, success is not a destination—it’s a journey with multiple paths, whether that path leads to a four-year college or a technical program.
Did you Know?
According to research, being on track in 9th grade is the greatest predictor of high school graduation.
To get a gut check on your middle schooler's math and reading skills, have them take the Readiness Check. As part of the results, you get videos and activities to support learning at home!
Get the Readiness Check here »Action steps to help your child be ready for high school and beyond.
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Know The Milestones
Check in regularly (even virtually) with your teen’s teachers and counselors on a plan for high school graduation. Know application deadlines and take relevant tests. This can keep your child motivated and improve grades.
Nurture Life Skills
Lean into how your teen is feeling–for example, ask them to share their high and low points of the day. Get support to strengthen life skills like organization, communication, and managing stress.
REFLECT ON INTERESTS
Talk to your teens about their passions and the kinds of jobs that interest them. Ask them questions like “What makes you happy?” “Is there a career you want to learn more about?”
Help them see the connection between the choices they make and their future.
CONSIDER CLASS CHOICES
Find classes based on interest and level, such as career and technical education (CTE) or advanced placement (AP) in high school. Both can save time and money in college.
Completing Algebra 1 sets them up for next level classes and useful skills, no matter their career choice.
PLAN AHEAD
Explore financial aid options and how FAFSA works. Research smaller colleges that can offer a great education and more scholarship opportunities. Learn about the process for transferring schools.
Learning Tools
Find helpful resources to support academic, social, and emotional learning.
We want to hear from you!
Share with us how you and your family are using our resources! Your feedback will help us continue to develop relevant and helpful tools for parents and families like yours.
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*A Year into the Pandemic: Parents’ Perspectives on Academics, State Assessments, and Education, Learning Heroes and National PTA
**NAEP, The Nation’s Report Card 2019
Parents Deserve to Know
According to our national survey, nearly 9 in 10 parents believe their child is performing at or above grade level.*
Yet, what percentage of 8th graders nationally are reading at grade level?**
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