Are you interested in learning about dual credit courses and how to enroll your high school student?
Help your student make choices that will lead to college or career. There are many things you can do to guide them, and it’s never too early to start! In addition, there is support out there for families who are looking for more information. Visit these resources to get some ideas how you can support your student and navigate the postsecondary process together.
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Shaping Your Future: Why Minnesota Families Choose College
Hear from several Minnesota parents as they talk about their child's journey to postsecondary education. Two of the videos below are available in Hmong or Somali with English subtitles. Access the entire Shaping Your Future video collection for additional parent stories.
Connie and Misty
Nao Yia and Yeng
Alwiyo and Mohamed
Noemi and William
Shaping Your Future videos were produced by Twin Cities Public Television and presented by the Minnesota Department of Education.
Help Your Student Stay on Track
Tutoring and Homework Help
There are free online services like Sophia and Khan Academy that can help students with their homework, refresh knowledge and refine academic skills.
Tutor Match helps families connect with qualified tutors nationwide. Tutors specify in their profile what kind of services they provide and how much they charge for tutoring services.
EdReady is a new online tool that helps students check their readiness for college math. EdReady will provide families with a personalized study path.
Helping Your Child Publications, from the U.S. Department of Education, provide parents with the tools and information necessary to help their children to succeed in school and in life.
Test Preparation
All juniors will take the ACT - a standardized test which demonstrates your student's readiness for college level work. This article, from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Agency, helps parents make sense of ACT scores.
This complete and free ACT Test preparation program has full-length practice tests and answer keys to focused tutorials and smart test taking strategies.
Motivation
You Can Go! is a website full of motivational videos from students who thought they couldn't go to college for various reasons. Listen to their stories and find lots of useful information and links to help your student reach his/her college and career goals.
Missing school can lower math and reading scores and leave your student less likely to graduate. Absences Add Up! charts the impact absences can have on your child. Also, read about how absenteeism is a problem facing almost every community in America and how you can support your student's attendance.
Summer Enrichment
Summer is a great time to enroll in learning programs to explore interests or develop new skills. Find out the What, Why and How of Summer Programs.
Try a few of these simple ideas to boost your student's learning over the summer.
Use the Academic Enrichment Guide as a go-to resource to find summer enrichment programs for Minnesota students of all ages and interests.
Scholarships are available for some 2014 Minnesota summer programs from the Office of Higher Education.
Access Additional Support
Libraries and Community Services
Locate and contact your public libraries, neighborhood churches, and other organizations such as your local National Urban League, YMCA and YWCA, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, for such services as computer access, literacy programs and educational activities.
College Access Programs
College access programs give students the hands-on support they often can’t get from overburdened counselors and teachers. Access the online College Access Program Directory to seach for programs near you, or ask your school's counselor which programs are available at your school.
Parent Education Programs
Some schools or districts offer a free parent education program that brings schools, families and the community together as partners in the education of children. These programs empower parents to increase their skills and abilities to become active participants in their child's learning.
Parent Academy is a six-week series of classes, plus college tour and graduation, that is designed especially for parents and guardians of children that attend Saint Paul Public Schools. The program is taught in English, Hmong, Karen, Spanish and Somali. Watch a video about the program to hear parents' testimonials about Parent Academy.
Connecting Parents with Educational Opportunities (CPEO) is a seven-week course designed for parents and guardians of children who attend Minneapolis Public Schools. The CPEO program reinforces the message that every child can be college ready and is taught in Spanish, Somali, Hmong, and English. Watch a video about the program to hear parents' testimonials about CPEO.
Other Organizations
The Family Partnership supports families in need and provides counseling, advocacy and education programs. Visit their website to learn more about the programs that support school success.
PACER Center provides individual assistance, workshops, publications and more to help families make decisions about education and other services for children with disabilities.
