The document summarizes information presented at a 7th/8th grade parent night about preparing for high school and beyond. It discusses using EXPLORE test results to identify strengths/weaknesses and gauge readiness for high school courses and ACT benchmarks. The presentation also outlines dual enrollment, AP, and industry certification options in high school; scholarships and grants to make postsecondary education affordable; and emphasizes the importance of using high school opportunities to be prepared after graduation.
10. Logistics
• 7th Grade will move to Library
• 8th Grade will stay in Cafeteria
• Snacks/Drinks available in hallway
• Door Prizes at the end of the night!
THANK YOU FOR COMING!!
12. Block Scheduling
• 4x4 schedule-August through December/January through May
• School year is 36 Weeks Long
• 18 weeks in each semester
• Quarter1-(9 weeks) Quarter2-(9 weeks)
• Semester 1=(18 weeks)
• Quarter3-(9 weeks) Quarter4-(9 weeks)
• Semester 2=(18 weeks)
14. EPSO’s
“Early Postsecondary Opportunities inTennessee”
• Early postsecondary opportunities (EPSOs) include a course and/or
exam that give students a chance to obtain postsecondary credit
while still in high school. Courses (whether stand-alone or in
conjunction with an exam for postsecondary credit) must be aligned
to postsecondary standards.
16. Advanced Placement (AP)
Human Geography (9th)
Psychology (10th)
US History/English (11th)
Calculus (12th)
Biology (12th)
Students take AP Exams in May. If they make a 3, 4, or 5 they may
receive college credit.
17. Dual Enrollment (DE)
• Students take college courses while enrolled in high school. Courses
are free through the Dual Enrollment Grant through the State of
Tennessee.
• Cannot use funds until the Junior Year.
• Must have a 3.0 GPA – May be other qualifications based on ACT
scores
• Jackson State and/or UTM
• If students pass the course, the credit and grade will transfer.
18. DE cont’d
• Written Composition 1 and 2
• US History 1 and 2
• Music Appreciation
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Speech
• Art Appreciation
*all are online courses taken at SGCHS
19. State Wide Dual Credit (SDC)
• Currently – Precalculus and Statistics
• Students take a challenge exam at end of course provided by State
• If student passes they receive credit at any public university in
Tennessee
Cost is FREE!!
22. TN Promise
• Last dollar $$ for tuition @ TCAT, 2 year colleges, and
some 4 year colleges across TN. Please note there is
a cap on tuition cost.
• Certain requirements must be met. For example, 8
hours of community service senior year and each
semester of college.
23. Hope Scholarship
• 3.0 GPA OR 21 ACT composite
• 4 year college = $1750 per semester
freshman/sophomore year; $2250 junior/senior year
• 2 year college = $1250 per semester
• Must maintain 2.75 GPA freshman/sophomore year;
3.0 junior/senior year
• There are other State Scholarships and Grants
24. FAFSA
•This form has to be filled out every year the
student is in college.
•This is how you get federal and state $$.
•Uses prior/prior tax information. Going to
college in Fall of 2022- use 2020 taxes
25. Scholarships
•Lots of scholarship $$ out there to be
awarded
•Do your homework/research
•Write well/Tell your story well
•Scholarship Search Resources/Websites
•Junior Year – Scholarship Bootcamp and ACT
Prep Class Bootcamp
26. Scholarships
•These things will improve your chances of
getting scholarship $$....
•Community Service
•Leadership
•Grades
•ACT score – Most colleges give $$ for
achieving a certain ACT score
27. Saving $$$ now
•Never too late to start saving
•Education Savings Account 529
•Mutual Funds
•Talk to your local financial institutions!
29. Am I On the Right Track?
8th Grade
Understanding and Using Your Explore Results
30. Understanding Your Explore Results
• 1. Where do I stand right now?
• Explore shows your strengths and weaknesses in 4 subject areas.
You will see how your scores compare to other students who
have taken Explore.
• 2. What are my plans and goals for after high school?
• On the Career Inventory part of the test, you answered questions
about your plans after high school and about you interests. This
information can help you learn more about careers, clarify your
goals, and begin to plan your future.
• 3. Am I on track for my future?
• For most students, reaching their goals includes some type of
postsecondary education. Explore helps you work towards those
goals by preparing you for the ACT.
31. What do your scores mean?
• Scores are between 1 and 25.
• 1 = the lowest you can receive
• 25 = the highest you can receive
• Explore takes the number of questions you got right on each test and
translates it into a number between 1-25.
• Composite score = the average of the English, Math, Reading, and
Science scores.
32. How do you compare with other students
who took Explore?
• Next to your scores, you’ll see the percentage of students scoring at
or below your score.
• Example:
If next to your composite score, the percentage shows 62%, that means you
scored the same or higher than 62% of students who took the Explore test.
• District Averages
• English 17
• Math 12
• Reading 17
• Science 14
• Composite 15
33. Explore Helps You Prepare for ACT
• Explore is designed to prepare you for the Pareto test in the 10th
grade and the ACT in the 11th/12th grades.
• Your Explore scores can help you see how well you might do on the
Pareto in 10th grade.
• You can also use your Explore score to see if you are “on track” to
achieve the scores you want by the time you take the ACT later in
high school.
• Ultimately, this series of tests help you gain skills and improve your
preparation for postsecondary education.
34. Importance of the ACT
• Used in class rank at the high school level
• Graduating with State Honors = Meeting all 4 Benchmarks on the ACT
• Employers, Universities, and Technical Schools use this as an entrance
requirement.
• Lottery scholarship $$$
• Other scholarships $$$
• Compete against students from other schools and districts
35. Being On-Track in 8th Grade
• The EXPLORE will help you and your teachers know if
you are on-track in 8th grade.
• If you don’t score as high as you want, there will be
opportunities to improve!
36. Building Your Skills
• Your Score Report provides some ideas for building your skills and knowledge in
the different subject areas.
• The descriptions and suggestions are based on your own scores and are intended
to help you strengthen your skills and understanding in each subject area.
• Use these suggestions to improve your skills so you will be ready for high school
and beyond.
37. Using EXPLORE Scores in High School
• GCHS AND SGCHS will use EXPLORE scores to help with course
placement.
Example –
• 1)Meeting the benchmark in a subject will help you qualify for an
Honors Course
• 2) Making a 20 in Reading will help ensure you are ready for
AP Human Geography
39. What do the benchmarks mean?
•75% Chance of Making a C and
•50% Chance of making a B
in an Introductory College Level Course
40. Tips for Exploring
Postsecondary Possibilities
• Get more information
• ASK your teachers, counselor, librarian, parents, or other adults
• SEARCH the internet for information about possible careers that
interest you.
• GATHER firsthand information about careers you are considering.
Talk with people who work in careers that interest you.
• TALK with teachers, parents, and other adults about careers
related to the subjects you like.
• FIND OUT how to best prepare for the future you want. Learn
about the training and education you will need. Are they in line
with your plans for after high school?
42. Summary
• No matter what your EXPLORE results say – Always room to improve!
• Utilize your options in High School to be ready for what comes next
• If you have questions – ASK!
• There are many ways to help make education past High School
affordable
• Follow GCSSD Forward on Facebook and Twitter
• Make sure you get your summary sheet
• Thanks for coming!
