Today's high school graduates face a much different economy than graduates in the past did. For example, students now face increased job competition, different skill requirements, and retirement uncertainty.
What Students Should Know About Today's Job Market
Topics: Jobs and Careers, Educators, High School
Hosting a Virtual Career Fair for Middle and High School Students
Career fairs in middle and high school used to conjure images of gyms bustling with booths and guest speakers, swag a-plenty. In post-COVID days, educators have pivoted to hosting virtual career fairs. We talked to two Texas educators who hosted virtual career fairs with great success. Whether you’re doing yours live through Zoom, putting videos together on Flipgrid, or making a Google Site for your students, here are some tips!
Topics: Middle School, Jobs and Careers, High School, Distance Counseling and Learning
Webinar: Enhance Your Advising Practice for Military-Bound Students
When students decide to join the military, they have a few important decisions ahead of them. They must decide which branch to join, whether to enlist after high school or commission to become an officer, and choose what type of job they would like to do. For students to choose the path that is right for them, they must understand their options to determine what is best for their needs and interests.
Topics: Grad Requirements, Webinar, High School, Military Enlistment and Careers
Six Things to Avoid When Applying for Scholarships
High school students have so much on their plate. If they’re pursuing some form of higher education, their last years of high school are likely to be filled with exams, applications, essays and one big question: How am I going to pay for this?
Topics: Finances, High School, Financial Aid, Scholarships
Webinar: Understanding Statewide Programs of Study
Programs of study provide high school students with the opportunity to study their career field of interest in depth so that they are better prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce. A program of study is a comprehensive, structured approach for delivering academic and career and technical education (CTE).
Topics: CCMR and Accountability, Jobs and Careers, Educators, High School
The Basics of Admissions Tests and Placement Exams
Admissions tests have long been an essential part of the college application process. The admissions test process includes test prep, taking the actual test (sometimes multiple times), interpreting scores, and finally, submitting it to the institution of interest. In the era of COVID-19, testing cancelations and barriers to entry called for change. Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, thousands of colleges and universities nationwide have become “test-optional,” affirming that they will not penalize students for the absence of a standardized test score. Some of those schools are in Texas. Some will remain test-optional even once the pandemic passes.
Topics: Applying to College, College Planning, Educators, High School, Entrance Exams
Scholarship Basics for Educators: What You Need to Know about QuestBridge, NMSQT and more
Searching and applying for scholarships can take a lot of time for educators and students alike. And we get why – students are often both excited and overwhelmed by going to college and taking on the cost that comes with it. As an educator, it’s your job to help students navigate their remaining time in high school, finalize their postsecondary plans, and help minimize student debt. This blog will walk you through the basics of scholarships so you can be prepared to support your students through this exciting time.
Like students, scholarships come in all shapes and sizes, and there are more scholarships now than ever before! We'll go over all the things that educators need to know about scholarships, including links to additional articles, webinars, videos, and other resources. And don’t forget to refer to the ultimate source for all postsecondary planning information for professionals: the Texas OnCourse Academy.
Topics: Educators, High School, Financial Aid, Scholarships
When bluebonnets carpet Texas roadsides, it's time for many juniors to make plans to take the SAT. Given the impact an SAT score can have on admission decisions and scholarships, we want to ensure that students are as ready as possible when test day comes. That's where Khan Academy SAT prep comes in.
Topics: Applying to College, Students and Families, High School, Entrance Exams
For many students and families, especially first-generation college students, interpreting ACT test results may seem like interpreting a foreign language. It is important to help students and families understand what their scores mean and how they can use the scores during the college application process.
Topics: Applying to College, Educators, High School, Entrance Exams
College entrance exams such as the SAT represent a significant milestone in the college admission process. To make an informed postsecondary decision, students need to understand how they performed in comparison to their college or university's average admission scores.
Topics: Applying to College, Educators, High School, Entrance Exams