| CONTACT: | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| Shannon Haber, 213-241-6766 | October 16, 2019 |
High School students now have another tool to help prepare them for college and career, with a personalized guide to help them make important decisions about their future and keep them on the pathway to success.
Created with the input of students and counselors, the new College & Career Readiness Guide is designed to take the guesswork and uncertainty out of the college-application process. The online guide is personalized for each student, allowing them to track their completion of required courses and their performance on standardized tests and college entrance exams.
The resource utilizes data – along with a student’s achievement, progress and aspirations – to provide a clear pathway to graduation and beyond. High school counselors and advisors will be working with students to create and update their individual plan.
Complementing the guide is a College Book for Seniors, with is now available to students in the Class of 2020. A combination workbook and instructional guide, it includes college admissions guides and deadlines; financial aid information; scholarship applications; and other resources to support a smooth transition to college.
The Division of Instruction is finalizing a similar tool for high school juniors to help them jump-start the college application process.
“These new tools will help prepare all students for college, career and life,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “Working with their counselor and families, our students can establish a plan for graduation and beyond.”
“How to get into college shouldn't be a secret," Interim Chief Academic Officer Alison Yoshimoto-Towery said.
"The College Book for Seniors is designed to provide explicit support to help seniors apply to the right college for them,” she said. “The College & Career Readiness Guide is a tool for parents, students, and educators to get up-to-date information about academic progress in high school. It also gives students a clear path for what they need to do in order to be prepared to enter college and have continued success."
“The process of applying for college and financial aid can be challenging - more so for families that are sending a child to college for the first time,” School Board President Dr. Richard Vladovic said. “I applaud all efforts we take as a District to lower barriers to higher education to give our students every advantage available to compete successfully in today’s 21st century.”
“We applaud the Division of Instruction for offering a wide variety of tools to fit the needs of our high school seniors,” Board Member Dr. George J. McKenna III said. “They are all preparing for life after high school even though some may take a different path to their end goal. We are here as adults to offer guidance as they find their way forward.”
“Our students are resilient and brilliant,” School Board Member Mónica García said. “The college experience transforms students’ lives by helping them learn about themselves and the world. Thanks to all who help our learners prepare for high school and college completion.”
“As a retired educator, I know that preparing for college isn’t only about getting good grades, but also knowing what classes will help a student get into college and understanding how to apply,” Board Member Scott M. Schmerelson said. “These new resources can help our students access this information and put them on the road to success.”
“Our goal is to remove barriers that can prevent our students from graduating Los Angeles Unified college- and career-ready,” Board Member Nick Melvoin said. “That’s why I pushed to offer the SAT for free during school hours – and I’m glad to see this new College & Career Readiness Guide remove another barrier by providing important information to our families.”
“Many of our students are the first in their family to go to college, so resources like this guide are essential to helping them reach and succeed in higher education,” Board Member Kelly Gonez said. “At Los Angeles Unified, we are working to remove barriers so that all our students graduate high school ready for success in college and career.”