Yount Seminar for Parents

WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT

LOW-COST EDUCATION and FAST-TRACK COLLEGE DEGREES

YOUNT SEMINAR for PARENTS  OUTLINE*

OUTLINE ONLY, MATERIAL UNDER DEVELOPMENT

Early childhood preparation affects college entry, success and completion.

  • Master math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions) in elementary school. Speed and proficiency correlate with college success and college completion rates.
  • Master reading skills in elementary school including reading speed and comprehension
  • Instill the importance of education to children and tell them why they need more of it.
  • Read, read, read, first to establish enjoyment of reading; second to practice reading for learning
  • Have children use what they learn to help others kids at home or at school. It solidifies learning and builds skill sets for later success in school.

Teen Year Preparation

  1. By the 7th grade start a college plan, educationally and financially with a tax savings 529 plan.
  2. Select middle school subjects with an eye to high school graduation requirements and college general education requirements.
  3. Plan in the 8th grade for getting an Associate Degree as part of high school and thereby save two years of college.
  4. Take a college entrance test or its equivalent no later than the ninth grade to measure basic skills readiness. Many high school completion tests are not good measures of preparation for college; they only signal graduation from high school.
  5. Learn how to learn and how to determine which subjects to learn for long-term memory retention.
  6. Take advance placement courses, CLEP tests and online college courses during high school.
  7. Take career assessments and interest inventories (free at Careeronestop.com for downloading) and then job shadow and review job descriptions until a career passion is created. It is a key predictor of success. Most high schools give career assessments too late to guide high school course selection.
  8. Students should engage in individual or group service projects to better position themselves for scholarships or university acceptance (volunteering ideas and a willingness to take a lead role is a demonstration of leadership and plays well in such applications)
  9. Get work experience during high school related to a chosen career. It can turn into a sponsorship and also enhances the chance for a scholarship in a related field.
  10. Use CLEP (College Level Education Program) tests to fill general education requirements and take the test soon after studying a related text book (35 course subjects). The testing fee will get you three college credits. The accepting college determines the grade based upon the test score. High school GPAs are considered for scholarships but not as much as a high score on the national ACT or SAT tests. Specialize in the subjects tied to those tests (math, reading, language, science). Remember, the content of most electives won’t help improve those scores.
  11. Remember that colleges themselves provide scholarships, grants and favored work opportunities for their most promising students. A resume showing service and leadership experience, CLEP credits, advanced placement courses in high school, a respectable GPA and the initiative to take early college courses will all but automatically guarantee assistance. Making friends with a faculty member helps.

Post High School Education (See content of Yount Seminar Workbook)

  • Take college courses during the summer. They are often less work and tuitions are often lower.
  • A self-disciplined student will often find self-help online courses easier and faster because they can move at their own pace. On average learning is twice as fast. Self-discipline may have to be fostered and supported.
  • Take graduate courses during college if you are ready and the courses are available. They will often count toward both a bachelor and a graduate degree.

* Use as an overview fireside for parents or expand on detail for teens and young adults

Use learning by faith as well as learning by study at all ages and get others to pray for your success