Align Coursework With the Postsecondary Choice
Be proactive to ensure your student’s high school coursework aligns with admission requirements for education or training programs after high school.
Why It Matters
- Meet requirements.
By graduation, your student will need to meet requirements for state-specified curriculum, high school graduation and, possibly, entrance into the college or program of choice. These may not all be the same. It’s important to understand what classes must be taken (and passed) and which are not essential. - College admission may depend on it.
Your student’s ability to enter the desired education or training program will depend on coursework completed by the end of 11th grade and planned for 12th grade, particularly if multiple four-year colleges are under consideration. Remember that colleges in other states may also have different requirements than local institutions. - Create balance.
Many colleges are looking for students who balance rigorous coursework with electives that allow them to express creativity, get a taste of careers and demonstrate leadership.
What Your Student Can Do Now
- Consult the handbook.
Your student’s high school handbook is the best resource for making sure high school graduation requirements are met. Your state’s education department or division should also have information available on its website. - Review assessments.
Review the career interest, values and abilities assessments to choose classes that explore possible career areas. Whether for college credit or not, this will save your student considerable time and money by finding a good career and college fit early in the process. - Check program entrance requirements.
As your student learns more about interests and potential careers, they should check the requirements to enter the appropriate education or training program. College or program websites list entrance requirements. Your student should ensure the required coursework can be completed before high school graduation. - Maintain relationships.
Within a few months, your student will likely be asking teachers for letters of recommendation. Your student should be working now to create and maintain positive relationships with teachers, coaches and counselors who may be helpful next year.
What Your Student Can Do Later
- Consider rigorous courses for college preparation.
Dual enrollment in community college classes, Advanced Placement or Honors classes may be available to your student in high school. These can range from technical and trade classes to college-level coursework and may be conducted at the high school or elsewhere. Some may be free while the student is in high school, allowing for more money to spend on other education or training afterward, or the freedom to graduate early and spend less on those costs. - Make a logical graduation plan.
Students are sometimes eligible for high school graduation a semester or even a year early. It’s often tempting to move on to the next step as soon as possible, but your student should work with the school counselor to consider whether all entrance requirements have been met for colleges or programs, if dual enrollment courses or internships could be completed to fill time and get ahead on college credits at no charge, and other important considerations.
What You Can Do
- Encourage your student to stay the course.
Emphasize the importance of staying on track academically to be in the best possible position after high school graduation. Many students experience “senior slump” academically, allowing grades to drop off once some college acceptances have arrived. Too much of a drop in grades may cause a college to rescind acceptance. In addition, continued good grades and academic rigor put your student in a better position for scholarship consideration. - Explore options.
Does your student wish more, or more advanced, classes were available in a certain area? Many high schools don’t have the resources to offer everything but may be willing to work with you and your student. Your student can self-study for Advanced Placement courses and take the test to earn potential college credit. Local community colleges may offer online or in-person classes your student can explore.
Registration is still open through March 29 for a scholarship for Iowa high school students, not just seniors. The scholarship awards $1,000 College Savings Iowa deposits, which can be used when your student is ready to pay educational expenses. Register at www.IowaStudentLoan.org/ScholarshipSignUp.
Next Steps
Be sure to complete the survey questions at the end of this article to be entered into the 529 deposit giveaway!
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