Parent Page

Help your child discover and research career interests.

• What’s your child’s favorite subject?

• Use The Occupational Outlook Handbook at Guidance Office, Library, or online at http://www.bls.gov/oco or at OOH.org

• Get your child mentored at Pennsylvania Mentor.

• Encourage your child to job shadow

Job shadow online with VirtualJobShadow.com.  Explore a vast array of fascinating careers by meeting the people who actually do the work in that career.  These careers are sorted into 17 clusters and span educational levels.  The site also highlights a different career each month. 
Check out the benefits of this site:
  -Stresses relevancy in Math, Literacy, and Science
  -Exposes them to exciting career opportunities, motivating them to do more in school
  -Provides students with positive role models from diverse ethnic backgrounds
  -Reinforces the value of learning
  -Access to caring adults through a safe, structured environment
  -Helps students identify career goals
  -Allows student to better select a traditional, meaningful Job Shadow experience
  -It's FREE - Just fill out a short free signup page

Homework Help

• Tips to help your child study

  • Provide your child with a good study environment.

  • No distractions – no window for gazing outside, TV, loud conversations, phone, etc.

  • Not too comfortable – studying laying down is conducive to sleep, not studying

  • Be prepared – make sure there’s enough paper, sharpened pencils, etc. so your child doesn’t have to keep taking unscheduled breaks from homework

  • Take brief scheduled breaks – The brain's attention span is only so long.  Try a 15 minutes studying with 2 minutes break schedule to refresh and focus the brain for best information absorption.  Adjust schedule as needed.

  • Know your child’s best studying time – Figure out when your child is most alert during the day and arrange study time during that time.

  • No procrastinating – Set a time by which homework must be done. If this isn’t working well, try giving a reward once in a while if homework is done on time.
    

• Tutoring - Check with the school on tutoring programs or check out online resources on our Study References/Tutoring page.

Check Post-Secondary Education Requirements

• Find out how long one must go to school and what type of school is best for that career

  • Look in the library's Occupational Outlook Handbook or go to their site at http://www.bls.gov.oco

  • Find someone in the field to mentor your child or to job shadow

  • Search online sites about the field

  • Ask the Guidance Counselor or Academic Specialist
    

• Then figure out if your child has the drive to meet those requirements

  • Will your child stick with school for that length of time?

  • Does your child have the grades to get into and stay in those schools?

Research Education Options

• Things to consider:

  • What schools offer that field of study (a.k.a. Major)?

  • Also: Entrance requirements, Length of program, Location, Cost...

Post Secondary Options

• Technical or Trade school

• Business school

• Special Licensing school

• Community College

• 4 year College or University

Check Admissions (Entry) Requirements

• Each school weighs criteria differently but here is a typical order of criteria:

  • Transcripts = grades + behavior

    • Good grades in easy classes and at least average grades in tough classes

    • Behavior (no detention/ISS/OSS, etc.)

    • Attendance (few absences and not late to school)

  • SAT scores

  • Community Service

  • Extra-Curricular Activities

  • Work Experience

  • Teacher Recommendations

  • Essays

Length of Program

• Certificate - a few days, weeks, or months depending on field

• Associate's Degree - 2 to 3 years

• Bachelor's Degree - 4 to 5 years

• Master's Degree - traditionally a student would obtain a Bachelor's degree then go for a Master's degree, length depends on field - usually 2-3 years beyond Bachelor's.  Some schools are now offering Master's (and even Doctorate's) programs where a student can go right through the program at that same school and not have to go through the Bachelor's stage first.

• Doctorate Degree - highest level one can attain in any field, length depends on field.

Visit schools 

• Thinking about where to go for vacation? 
  Plan a stop at schools your child may be interested in attending. Students should always visit schools to 'try them on' before applying.

Funding your child’s education

• TAP (Tuition Account Program of PA) can help you save money for college at today’s tuition rates, not tomorrow’s.  Call 1-800-440-4000 and read PHEAA's information on this program too.

• Be aware that Out-of-state tuition is sometimes double the In-state tuition.  So try to find a school within Pennsylvania to take advantage of in-state tuition rates and to keep any State Grants for which your child might be eligible.

• Check out the UPromise program savings program.  Companies give you back savings toward college for shopping with them.

• Visit our Financial Aid & Scholarships page of this site for more information.

Parents Workshops 

• Please contact your school's Academic Specialist.  If there are enough parents interested in your area, we can set up a group parent meeting.  Watch for Academic Specialist hosted meetings in your area, especially Financial Aid Nights at your school.

Lessons a Parent can Teach his/her child and help with school
from Get Ready, Get Set, Get Going Places by PHEAA
*Stay healthy
*Get enough Sleep
*Proper Nutrition
*Get to school on time
*Set a good example:  Show your child that you value education in general, talk about the importance of being educated, show pleasure in his/her accomplishments
*Encourage your child to do his or her best - getting Fs or being in trouble is NOT cool
*Understand school rules and policies and make sure your child adheres to them
*Provide an appropriate well-lit and distraction free place and time for your child to studying and read
*Routine:  Set aside regular, scheduled study time.  If there is no homework, time should be spent reading or practicing math skills.
*Ensure that your child gets exercise, nutritious food, and rest
*Be a reader yourself (let your child see you reading), have your child read every day, give books as gifts, and get and use library cards for you and your children
*To Do Lists, Chores, and Communication:  Keep a family calendar and message board and follow it
*Ensure that homework assignments are complete but do NOT do homework for your child
*Get organized:  Have your child clean out his/her backpack at least once a week and keep everything organized in folders.

How Well Are You Helping Your Child Study?

In middle school, homework gets tougher and requires strong study skills.  Here's a quiz to see if you're helping your child study effectively.
Give yourself 5 points for something you do often, 0 points for something you never do - or any score in between on a scale.

___1. I have my child work in a regular study spot.

___2. I turn off the TV during study time.

___3. I make sure my child has study supplies he needs.

___4. I have my child study at the same time each day.

___5. I don't interrupt my child's study time.

How did you score?
20 points or more:  You're helping your child develop good study habits.
15-19 points:  Average.
Below 15:  Try some of the suggestions in the quiz to help your child study.

from Help Students Learn, published by The Parent Institute, a division of NIS, Inc. 1-800-756-5525, http://www.parent-institute.com, copyright 2002

Keep your Teen Safe

SafeTeens.org and 4Parents.gov
Learn how to help your teen make healthy decisions especially about sex.

TheAntiDrug.com
While illicit drug use by teens is declining, now there’s a threat from the family medicine cabinet: The abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. But parents and caregivers can help to stop this dangerous trend.

E-Monitoring - Teens and Technology
This crash course in the most popular communication tools used by teens today (cell, computer, etc.) offers guidance and advice to help parents monitor their teen’s activities on these devices.