Padres Comprometidos: Support Your Childs Success

A Toolkit for Hispanic Families

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

For more information on the Box Tops for Education program see page 5

Contents
Letter from Janet Murguia, President and CEO, National Council of La Raza. . . 2 Family Pledge Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Box Tops 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Why Get Involved Early . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Developing a Positive Home Environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Effective Communication with School Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 School Standards and Expectations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Middle School Transition Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Why College? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 College Preparation Checklist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Bienvenidos!

A Letter from Janet Murgua President and CEO, National Council of La Raza

The National Council of La Raza and General Mills, Inc.s Box Tops for Education program are pleased to present Padres Comprometidos: Support Your Childs Success. A Toolkit for Hispanic Families.
At the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) we know that YOU are the most important teacher in your childs life and that you can help your child be a successful student, and help them get to college. To support in this important work, we present you with this educational toolkit based on our Padres Comprometidos program, full of valuable information and advice that we have collected from education experts and through our long-standing and on-going work with Latino parents across the country. To learn more about Padres Comprometidos, please visit our website at www.nclr.org. In this toolkit, both you and your child will learn more about why college is important, what it means for your child to be college-ready, and how together, you can work with your childs school to make it all happen. Our vision is that as a family, you and your child will refer to this toolkit often to better understand how your active involvement benefits your child, your school, and your community. You will learn simple activities the whole family can do at home to create an environment that fosters good study habits at home and that promote positive communication with your child and school. As a proud partner of Box Tops for Education, NCLR supports the Box Tops call-to-action and encourages you to get involved by signing the family pledge committing yourselves to academic success. As your partner, NCLR is committed to you and your daily efforts to ensure your familys well-being and success! Buena suerte,

Janet Murguia
President and CEO

Family Pledge Card

We, the family, pledge from this day forward to do our best to assure that our children receive the best possible education by working together in all aspects of their schooling, preparing them for success both as students and citizens, and maintaining an open line of communication among ourselves and with their teachers.

PARENT
I, , as a parent, understand that a good education is important to my children and my family and I commit to: Provide my child early learning opportunities and support my childs education through high school and on to college. Instill in my children a love of education and support my children by setting up an environment at home that is conducive to learning. Provide continuous encouragement to my children to do well in school and do everything in my power to get the support they need when they help. Engage in my childs school matters by developing a positive partnership with their school that supports my childrens academic achievement, their safety, and their emotional and social well-being. Maintain communication with teachers and counselors and let them know that my child is expected to attend college. Advocate for excellence and quality education for all children, for the enrichment of our community, and for teachers and the school. I,

STUDENT
, commit to: Being a good student, obeying my parents and acting responsibly at school and in my community, in the knowledge that education is the key to my success in life. Understanding that with the support of my family and my teachers I can pursue any career I desire if I am determined and study hard enough. Working hard to be good at everything I do, taking care of both my body and my mind and behaving honorably and with compassion in my dealings with both my peers and my elders. Knowing that the sky is the limit when it comes to getting ahead, and that if I do all of the things listed above and maintain a positive attitude, I will someday make my parents proud and create a wonderful future for myself.

Signed

Signed

Family Pledge Monthly Pledge Card

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MONTH

YEAR

PARENT
Number of times this month Set aside time to read the newspaper, magazines and/or books with my child. Made sure to monitor the television programs they watched, and limited them to one hour per night. Asked them about their day at school and reviewed their homework assignments, helping them whenever they required.

STUDENT
Number of times this month Completed my homework thoroughly and early, to the best of my abilities. Obeyed my parents bedtime hours and got a good nights rest before the next school day. Tried out for and participated in extra-curricular activities that I enjoy.

Attended Parent-Teacher meetings.

Exercised with my family and/or friends.

Supported them in extra-curricular activities of their preference, whether sports-related, artrelated or intellectually-related. Attended school games and events with them. Made sure they had clean, presentable school clothes ready the night before. Put them to bed early, making sure they got 8 hours of sleep. Woke them up early enough so that they could enjoy a hearty, healthy breakfast before leaving for school.

Was not tardy to class.

Was well prepared for all my classes and engaged in the days lessons.

Stayed away from junk food and ate only healthy snacks at home.

Did not talk in class while my teacher was speaking.

Obeyed all school rules and stayed away from bad influences.

Box Tops 101

VOID

You CAN make a difference in your childs education with Box Tops for Education!

VOID

Education is our childrens future, and by helping their schools you help your kids receive the best possible education.
The Box Tops program offers families easy, everyday ways to earn cash for their school 10 cents for every Box Top, up to $20,000 per year! Since the program began in 1996, Americas schools have earned more than $525 million through all the Box Tops earning programs, including more than $74 million last school year, alone. Earn cash for your school by considering becoming a Box Tops for Education Coordinator. Help develop ways to encourage students, parents, school staff and community members to clip Box Tops from participating products and bring them to school. There are tools and resources provided on the Box Tops website to help every step of the way. Thousands of schools have used the cash from the Box Tops for Education program to purchase items such as computers and computer software, library books, art supplies and playground equipment.
Only Box Tops for Education registered schools can redeem Box Tops. Each Box Top is worth 10 cents to redeeming school. Limit $20,000 per school, per school year for Box Tops redeemed through the Clip program. See www.btfe.com for program details.

For a list of eligible products visit btfe.com/products

For more information about how you can help make a difference with Box Tops, visit btfe.com/espanol

Why Get Involved Early?

You may think, The teachers know whats best for my child, I dont need to be in the way, or my child is only in elementary school, we dont need to think about college yet. Wrong. Growing evidence shows that parent involvement in their childrens education, especially when it is consistent, starts early, and is long-lasting, improves their academic achievement and their opportunities to succeed in college and a career. Why should you be actively involved in your childs education even though they are only in elementary school? The study skills and habits that your children develop now will serve them for the rest of their lives and the schools need your help to ensure that what they learn at school is reinforced at home. The schools also need to know that you know about what your child is learning and care about getting them ready for college. This partnership with your childs school is one of the most valuable relationships you will ever be a part of.

To be meaningfully engaged in your childs education, you should:

R  ecognize that your child will have a better future by attending college.  Meet teachers, counselors, and administrators every school year to discuss the education goals for your child. Ask them about the classes your child is taking and how they are preparing your child for the next grade and for the ultimate goal of being ready for college.  Meet with teachers regularly to find out how your child is doing class work and as needed ask the teacher for assistance and ideas of what you can do at home to help.

 A sk your child what they want to do when they grown up; as they grow older these conversations will turn into discussions about career interests.  Send your child to school on time every day and ensure daily school attendance. Every day a student misses school is a setback in learning. Being in school every day, on time, also teaches a skill that is valued in the job market. It also demonstrates to the school that you value the work they do with your child every day.  Set up conversations with teachers, relatives or mentors who have attended college so they can share their personal or life-changing experiences with your child.

You play an important role in your childs education and it does not matter if you did not get very far in your own education or if you do not know English very well. You can help your child learn by doing simple things every day. Remember that learning begins at home and that you are your childs first and most important teacher.

Developing a Positive Home Environment

Your childs academic performance is greatly affected by her/his home life and her/his relationship with you

Everything, from the daily home schedule to the way you communicate, impacts your childs attitudes towards school, her/himself, and their future. You can help create a positive home environment that is conducive to learning and positive communication that will serve you well as your child grows older, and structure and communication become more challenging.

Tips for Homework, Time and Good Study Habits:

 W ith the help of your child make an after-school schedule to explain what you expect during study time. Avoid allowing your child to wait until bedtime to start their homework; this develops bad study habits.  Schedules at home help everyone to stay organized, just like the daily schedule in school and in class teaches your child to organize their time and their work.  If your child has no homework assignments, maintain the daily study schedule and expect that s/he will spend time reading school books to get ahead or reading for pleasure.  Explain to your child that what is learned through homework assignments are skills that s/he will use in the next grade level and as adults too.  Find a place at home and designate it as the homework area where your child can sit and do their homework. It does not have to be a room but a place such as the kitchen table, where your child can sit and organize their work.  Have the tools your child may need to do homework or school projects by providing paper, pencil, pens, a dictionary in English and Spanish if necessary, markers, tape, and other needed materials.  Ensure that your child completes homework before moving away from the homework table and make sure s/he place completed homework in the backpack to be ready for the morning rush to get to school on time.  Television, radio, and video games can be scheduled for after homework and study time are completed. Be aware of how much time your child is spending

watching television, playing video games or using the computer to socialize and place a time limit on their use.  Include family reading time in your weekly schedule so everyone in the family can take time to read the paper on Sunday, or read to the younger children and to the elderly.  Put your children to bed early enough so they can get a good nights rest: 8:00 to 8:30 p.m. for the young elementary students and 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. for older students. Children need at least 8 hours of rest nightly so they can be ready for school the next day. This also allows some quiet time for parents at night.  If you are unable to help your child with homework, ask the teacher or the school what assistance they can provide, ask older siblings or relatives for help, find out if there are after-school homework programs or find a homework hotline your children can use to get homework help over the phone.  To learn good study habits children need a structured environment with rules and expectations established and monitored by their parents.
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Developing Good Reading Habits:

Parents can start reading to their children as infants and continue reading to them throughout elementary school until the children learn to read. Once children can read on their own, parents should set up a schedule at home for the children to follow after-school, which includes a time and space for reading school books or other books for pleasure.  Find a quiet place at home where a child is not distracted. It may only require that you turn off the radio or television during the reading or homework time.  After school your child can have a snack and a short time for relaxation, then schedule time to do homework and time to read.  It is important that you talk with your child from infancy to develop language and vocabulary in preparation for reading. Talking to your children is a habit that establishes good communication between parent and child. Use opportunities to talk with him/her on the way to school or when you go shopping together, and ask questions about school and friends. This will show that you are listening and interested in them.  Go with your child to the public library and check out books to read at home. The library offers great learning opportunities for reading and the use of computers to research information.  Parents can teach their children their love of reading by reading themselves. Take time to read so your children can see how important reading is to you.  Have books, magazines and newspapers around the house so children can select to read a book if they do not have homework or just for pleasure.  Find out what interests your child so you can buy books about their favorite sports, characters, etc.  A sk your childs teacher to show you how to read a book for early elementary school children and the types of questions to ask. In elementary school, students need to read the title of the book, know what the author and illustrator do, identify the main character and other characters in the story, understand what the problem of the story is and how the problem is resolved. Students learn to do critical thinking through reading.  In middle school, ask the teacher for a list of assigned reading books and ensure your children read those books, then ask for the summer reading book list to prepare your child for the next school year reading class. You are supporting at home the critical reading skills which are taught in class. Good readers are better learners. Reading will help your child be successful in school. Reading is a life-long skill that teaches critical thinking skills that are helpful throughout school, college and in the work market.

Promoting Positive Self-Esteem in Your Children:

As a parent, you play an important role in your childs development of self-esteem from infancy all the way to adulthood. Self-esteem in a child is fragile, so celebrate your childrens good efforts and encourage them to always do better. Children develop a positive self-esteem when parents value their individuality. A child with good feelings about self learns to resolve conflicts at home or school and many times avoid conflicts altogether. As children grow, the positive experiences they have at home with their families - feeling loved and cared for - helps children feel strong and valuable.  B eing consistent with your rules and consequences.  As much as possible, participating in activities of interest to them, showing them support for their interests and abilities.  Praising your childs efforts even when s/he does not succeed. Children, like others, need praise and recognition when they do well. Praise must be honest and not over done.  Reminding your child of her/his uniqueness and the importance of their individual talents.  Modeling the positive behaviors you want your child to exhibit. You are a crucial role model and s/he will imitate your behaviors.

Help your child develop a positive self-esteem by:

 Spending quality time with your child. Any time you spend alone with each child, teaches them how special they are to you. Remember, to your child any time you spend with them is precious.  Showing your children love and respect, and they will love and respect you and others.  Teaching your child responsibility and decision-making to prepare them for school and life. Start with small chores around the house like watering the plants, setting the dinner table, or helping choose what to make for lunch. Show them how their decisions impact others.

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Effective Communication with School Staff

You care about your children, their education, and their well-being, and you understand you need to engage with the teachers and other staff. But, how do you know how and when to do this?
The more time you can invest in your childs school, the better, but often, your busy schedule will leave limited time to engage with teachers and other school staff. Knowing who does what and where to go when you have questions will help make your engagement efficient and productive. Knowing the teachers duties can give you a better understanding of when and how to communicate with him/her. Among the teachers important duties are:  Develop and implement lesson plans according to the school districts requirements and the guidelines established by other educational policies and regulations.  Prepare lessons that reflect accommodations for differences in student needs and learning styles. M  odify lesson plans as needed for special education students according to guidelines established in individualized education plans.  Help students analyze and improve study methods and habits.  Conduct ongoing assessments of student achievement through formal and informal testing.  Manage student behavior in accordance with the student code of conduct and student handbook.  A ssist in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials.  Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals, and other teachers.

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Teachers are more likely to meet with parents when they set an appointment for a meeting

The Parent/Teacher Conference

Parents who are engaged with teachers and schools have children who are more successful in learning. One thing you can do to help your child do well in school and make good grades is to stay in touch with the teachers, via the phone, written notes or email. It is essential, however, that a face-to-face parent and teacher meeting happen because you and the teacher can discuss matters in depth. It also helps the two of you build a meaningful relationship.

Teachers are more likely to meet with parents when they set an appointment for a meeting. The teacher is able to give you additional information if s/he has time to prepare. At every teacher conference talk about your expectation of wanting your child to achieve academically in elementary, middle school and on, so that your child is well prepared academically to attend college. Parent and teacher conferences are important and may have to be short to respect the teachers and your busy schedules. In order for you to be prepared to take advantage of your time with the teacher, below are some sample topics and questions you can use to guide your discussion with your childs teacher.  Explain to the teacher that your goal is for your child to successfully graduate from high school and attend college.  A sk the teacher about your childs academic performance overall.  Find out at what level your child is reading at. If your child is reading at a lower level than s/he should be, ask the teacher what is being done to help the child in class. Ask for other reading programs or interventions that the school uses to teach your child to read at grade level. Finally, ask the teacher to give you strategies to use at home to improve the reading skill that your child needs.  In elementary school, find out how your child is doing in math, science and social studies. In middle school, ask about language arts, reading, math, science and technology classes.  A sk about tutoring, after-school programs, extended day activities and summer school if your child needs the extra academic support.  In middle school, ask if the school sponsors any clubs, contests, competitions that can help stimulate your childs interest in academics.  Finally, find out about behaviors that need to be corrected so you can work with your child at home. Ask the teacher how s/he corrects misbehaviors in school.
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Chain of Communication with the School

Schools have organizational charts to help parents communicate with them. These charts can serve as a guide for you to follow if you have concerns, questions or ideas for improvements. It is important for you to know where to go and who to ask when looking for resolution. Bypassing any of the positions in the organizational chart can increase the time you may have to wait for a response. Each school has its own chain of command, so take the time to understand your schools particular structure. Always discuss with your child first if an issue affects his/her well-being or safety, and spend time researching the facts so you can be prepared to present your concern to the school. issues are best resolved by the highest authority in the school if you receive no response or resolution. Make sure you have followed the previous steps in the chain of command or the school administrator will ask that you speak to the teacher first, then to the counselor or vice-principal.  Once you have exhausted your efforts for a resolution from the school staff, it is time to set up a meeting with the superintendent. Due to the many school and district policies, in some cases the superintendent may be the best person to help resolve the problem.  Your school board representative is the final person to address the issue at the school district level if the other members of the chain of command were unable to offer resolution.

A general communication chain of command for parents to follow in a school or district is laid out below:
 Always talk to your childs teacher first when there is a question or concern about an issue affecting your child or others. Ask for the teachers daily schedule or conference time so you know when to ask for the best time to meet and talk.  If the teacher does not respond within a reasonable time or is unable to resolve the issue, set up an appointment to speak to a counselor or to the vice-principal in the school to discuss the situation and ask for a response or resolution.  When you believe the issue is not addressed to your satisfaction, the school administrator or principal is the next person to consult with. Many

School Resources
There are many people who work at a school and parents should know who they are, what they do, how they interact with your child, and how you can reach them. The school will provide parents with a handbook that includes important information about school procedures, staff, and resources. Parents should take the time to read through this handbook with their children, paying special attention to the contact information and availability to parents of staff like the principal, vice principal, secretary, nurse, parent liaison, afterschool program coordinator, reading specialist, ESL/bilingual education coordinator, and special education coordinator. Also, add to your family calendar, important school events and activities, including the dates for the open house, report cards, parent teacher conferences, parent association meetings, school board meetings, and state testing.

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School Standards & Expectations

Common Core State Standards Overview

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are a set of national academic standards

that have been adopted by 45 states. Schools and districts are currently in the process of developing new curricula that are aligned to the CCSS. In the next few years, you should expect to see many positive changes in the education of your children. The CCSS are very different from the standards they replace and the way teachers teach your child will have to be different too. Some of the changes you should expect to see:

Students better prepared for college and career

A focus on the core understandings of each content area

Fewer standards so teachers have more time to spend on each concept

You should be familiar with the standards for the grade your child is in so that you can discuss with her/his teacher how well your child is meeting these standards. You will also be able to ask your childs teacher for resources to help you develop activities at home to support concepts contained in the standards.
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The following are sample mathematics standards.

3rd Grade:
Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8 5 = 40, one knows 40 5 = 8) or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

8th Grade:
Understand that patterns of association can also be seen in bivariate categorical data by displaying frequencies and relative frequencies in a two-way table. Construct and interpret a two-way table summarizing data on two categorical variables collected from the same subjects. Use relative frequencies calculated for rows or columns to describe possible association between the two variables. For example, collect data from students in your class on whether or not they have a curfew on school nights and whether or not they have assigned chores at home. Is there evidence that those who have a curfew also tend to have chores?

The following are sample English language arts standards.

1st Grade:
Explain major differences between books that tell stories and books that give information, drawing on a wide reading of a range of text types.

9th-12th Grades:
By the end of grade 9, read and comprehend literature, including stories, dramas, and poems, in the grades 9-10 text complexity band proficiently, with scaffolding as needed at the high end of the range.

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Report Cards
Schools use report cards for a variety of reasons, including to show parents how their children are progressing in meeting the standards and to tell them about their childrens work habits. These are both areas in which you can help your children. But what does a report card tell you?

In the report card to the left, look at the different grades the child is receiving.
In which subject are the grades high and in which subjects are they low? What are the childs work habits? What is the relationship between his work habits and his grades? Parents should analyze their childs report card and schedule a meeting with the teacher to discuss them. During this meeting, parents can ask for specific strategies to help their children at home.

Signs of a Student Falling Behind

You dont always need your childs teacher to let you know s/he is falling behind. Some of the signs that indicate this are:  Your child demonstrates a lack of interest in school and homework. Some parents confuse this signal with laziness, not realizing that what is really happening is that child is struggling with a subject. To avoid embarrassment and failure, the student will say that s/he is not really interested in school.

If you see these signs at any time, quickly schedule an appointment with your childs teacher or teachers

 Your child appears to struggle with homework. A student who spends a lot of time trying to understand homework and fails to complete it may be falling behind in that subject. To avoid feeling frustrated, some students may tell their parents that they do not have homework in the subject. If you see these signs at any time, quickly schedule an appointment with your childs teacher or teachers. Request additional assistance for your child and ask about any tutoring services that may be available free or for a reduced cost.

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Middle School Transition Guide

While your child is probably excited about moving on to middle school, this transition can be difficult.
There will be many changes in the routines of the day. Use that great communication you have established with your child to make sure s/he is doing well in middle school!

Preparing for Middle School

The following tips can help you prepare your child for this transition: Make sure your child understands that middle school is different from elementary school. Middle school students have different classrooms and need to move around the school much more than elementary students. They have multiple teachers so they need to adapt to different personalities. They do not keep books and materials in their desks, rather they have lockers. They also have more homework and need to manage their study time more carefully. Visit the school so your child knows where classrooms, lockers, cafeteria and gym are located. Make sure you and your child attend the orientation for parents and for students. If you need help with English, ask the school ahead of time to have staff available that can translate. Plan for your child to want increased independence. Along with this independence come new social pressures, such as smoking, drug use and alcohol. Be prepared to talk to your child about these pressures and how to resist them. Discuss the new rules of middle school. These include appropriate dress and cell phone use.

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During Middle School

Make sure your child is doing well in all classes. The academic demands of middle school are many and some children may begin to struggle in math or reading. Talk to your childs teacher immediately if s/he appears to be struggling in any class. Remember, you may need to speak to several teachers in middle school. Make sure your child has adequate supplies. Make sure your child is completing all assigned homework.

Talk to your childs teacher immediately if s/he appears to be struggling in any class

Preparing for High School and Beyond

While middle school can be very exciting for your child, you should spend time talking about college readiness. The following tips can help you guide the discussion during middle school. If you are unsure about what types of courses your child should be taking, ask your childs teacher or the school counselor for assistance: Ensure your child is taking demanding courses in middle school. Talk to your child about what types of courses s/he needs to take in high school to prepare for college.

Now is the time for you to start taking your child on field trips to universities and colleges around the area.
Some colleges offer summer courses for students in middle school and your child may qualify for these. Most of these programs are for students who are already interested in specific subjects, such as arts, engineering, science, and mathematics. These programs will give your child a taste of what college life is like. Ask the school counselor for additional information.

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Why College?
It is never too early to make sure that your child is on the path not only to successfully graduate from high school, but also to earn a college degree. Why does graduating from high school and attending college matter?
 College graduates have access to better jobs and better pay the more you learn, the more you earn.  Students who graduate from college can select a career, not just a job.  Most employers require at least a high school graduation diploma and many ask for a college degree even for entry level positions.  People with college degrees enjoy a better quality of life for themselves and their family.  A person with a college degree can earn 60% more in annual income than those with a high school diploma. ii  It is estimated that a college graduate will earn an estimated $1 million more over their lifetime than those without a degree. iii

To help your child be collegeready starting at an early age:

 From early learning school to middle school and on, work hard to encourage and support your childs decision to go to college.  Set up a daily schedule for completing homework and studying after school.

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 Work in partnership with the school, stay informed of your childs academic progress, and be prepared to help when your child needs assistance.  In middle school, start working on a fouryear high school graduation plan by asking the school counselor or a teacher counselor to help you. Ask about pre-Advanced Placement classes for your child. These classes help students be prepared for rigorous courses in high school.  Help your child structure their time by setting up daily schedules for homework, play and early bedtime. Good attendance is required both in school and later in the job market.

 Start the preparation for college-going in middle school and become familiar with the types of financial aid, grants and scholarships available to your children for college attendance.  Make school your childs priority to prepare him/her for college. If the family needs to involve the children in work, consider using holidays and summers when they are not in school for your children to help. Insist that they read, read, read! Better readers learn essential critical reading and thinking skills that will lead to a better quality of life in the future.

Help your student develop good learning habits from pre-school to middle school and on to graduation

 Check your childs grade point average (GPA) each semester in middle school to keep up with his/her school work and to ask assistance from the school when needed.  Even if you are not familiar with the content of your childs homework, help them study by asking them questions, having them read out loud, or having them show you what new things they learned that day.  Encourage your children to take the preSATiv in the 8th grade; some middle schools offer the pre-SAT and student scholarships to pay for it.

Encourage your child to participate in positive activities after schoolsuch as sports, music, dance or volunteer projects in the community. Many schools, community centers, and religious organizations have after-school or weekend activities for students in the community.  A llow your student to attend schoolrelated academic functions such as field trips. Exposing students to places and things that otherwise you may not be able to visit together can expand their knowledge base.

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College Preparation
Overview of College Requirements
You have high aspiration for your child to pursue post-secondary education and you should not let language issues or unfamiliarity with how the system works keep you from being actively involved in this process. Start by understanding the pathway to college and what you and your child need to do at each step. To help prepare your child to meet college admission requirements, you should: U  nderstand the importance and know your childs Grade Point Average (GPA). K  now what courses your child is required to take in middle and high school in order to be prepared to apply for college. E  nroll your child in advanced placement, honors, and dualcredit courses which can help parents save money when their student enrolls in college. A  sk a school counselor about college entrance exams, such as the SAT and ACT, and their importance. U  nderstand which high school courses are required for college admission. During the admissions process, colleges consider: H  igh school course difficulty. Colleges want to ensure students were challenged in pre-college coursework so that they are prepared for rigorous college-level courses. C  lass rank. Colleges consider where a student stands among their peers. S  AT or ACT scores. Students should prepare and take practice exams to ensure their final test score meets college standard. L  eadership potential. Colleges desire students to show leadership skills that will afford academic success and a bright future.

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E  xtracurricular activities. As the selection process continues to be more competitive, colleges are seeking evidence of wellrounded students. S  tudent admission essays. Ensure your student practices their essay writing skills; this is where they should stand out among other applicants. L  etters of recommendation. Encourage your child to request recommendation letters from their teacher, counselor, coach, school administrators or mentor. It is also very important for you to recognize that the college-going process may require you to be open to decisions that divert from your own experience growing up and from that of other family members, friends, or neighbors. But, always remember that you are helping your child grow and succeed. A  llow your child the flexibility to attend school-related functions that will increase interest in college, such as field trips to college campuses. C  onsider the possibility that your child may move away from home to go to the best college possible.

A  ccompany your child in visiting college campuses. Make appointments ahead of time. T  alk to and learn from other parents who have already sent their children to college. Seek insight on their successes and challenges so you can help prepare your own child for these. A  sk your child about his or her career interests and the schooling required to be successful in that field. Encourage him or her to look at all fields.

Find out about local summer college programs that your child can participate in

Overview of Financial Aid

While college can be costly, this should never be the reason why your family should not work towards this goal. Speak with your school counselor or principal to explore what opportunities are available to your family, including applying for federal financial aid, known as FAFSA. FAFSA deadlines vary depending on state. Check the website (fafsa.ed.gov) to view your area. You can file for FAFSA online or using a paper FAFSA. Undocumented students cannot apply for federal or state financial aid; however, there are other sources of funding that your child can apply for. For more information, refer to Keeping the Dream Alive: Resource Guide for Undocumented Students. This publication can be obtained from NCLR at nclr.org

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For more information visit nclr.org

For more information visit btfe.com/espanol

2013, General Mills

i  National

Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, Common Core State Standards Washington, DC: National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010).

ii

 Sandy Baum and Jennifer Ma. Education Pays: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society. (Washington, DC: The College Board, 2007).  Patte Barth, A New Core Curriculum for All, Thinking K-16. 1(Winter 2003): 3-19. SAT is a nationwide test that many colleges and universities use as part of their selection process. The higher the SAT score, the more selective the college or university your child is admitted to. The ACT is another widely used college admissions test.

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iv  The