Correction: "Secrets to a scheduling success"

In last month's edition of ACT Parent, we ran a story titled, "Secrets to a Scheduling Success." In the article, we published course recommendations and had an incorrect listing of the science courses. The correct listing appears below:

ACT advises high school students to take a core curriculum to prepare for college, and it's increasingly important for careers as well. The recommendations are at least four years of English, three years each of math (Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II), social sciences (courses such as U.S. History, World History and American Government) and natural sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics). Taking advanced courses beyond the recommended core classes will give students the best chance to be ready to enter college without needing remedial classes.

We apologize for any confusion.

The joy of "routine"

Getting a school year routine in place is important for any student. But it's probably even more important for a teenager who has numerous options for filling the hours in a day. It seems like middle school and high school students today have so many distractions. Now is the time to learn how to balance.

Here are some suggestions for getting a routine in place and some activities your teen may need to consider during the school year.

• Communicate expectations for the year. Tell your teen what you expect this year, go over successes from the past year, and ask what he or she wants to accomplish this year. Talk about what needs work and what you are willing to do to help.

• Talk to your teen about time management. Have him or her create a school schedule, allowing time for everything from sports practice to homework—and some free time as well. And you can't start teaching this skill too early. You can make a similar schedule if your child is younger.

• Make a practice of comparing your teen's calendar to the family's calendar. Share information so no one has any surprises. Incorporate extracurricular activities, as well as homework assignments, into the discussion of school week activities. Help your teen work through issues of balance when necessary.

• School work comes first. Provide a study space for your teen and discuss when homework will be completed. Come to an agreement with your teen that work comes before fun. If grades suffer, any outside commitments such as extracurricular activities, work or social events have to be cut back until grades improve.

• Establish your rules on the use of the Internet, TV, video games and cell phone during the school year.

• High school students can make a plan for investigating and applying to colleges. Most students say their parents are very important in the college planning process, so get involved. Help your teen map out a plan for going to college as early as middle school.

• High school juniors and seniors need to know what's in store for them as far as test and application deadlines, teacher recommendations and other paperwork. Create a "college calendar" for the year to keep them on track, using ACT's college planning checklist.

• Let your teen know that asking for help is important and not a sign of weakness.

Planning ahead will help everyone feel more relaxed and in control. Have a great school year!

To work or not to work?

Sooner or later most parents will be faced with the question of whether their teen should get a part-time job.

Like every other question in life, there's no "right" answer that fits every teenager and every situation. But here are some points to consider:

• Does your teen want to work or is it someone else's idea? There's a better chance of success if it's your teen's idea.

• How old is your child? State and federal laws regulate types of jobs and the hours that can be worked by those younger than 18.

• What type of job is it? Is it safe? Will your teen learn from it? There are many benefits for students who work in moderation.

• Is your teen thinking of a weekend job or an after-school job? BIG question. If it's a weekend job, the primary issues are logistical—how to get to the job, arranging the job to match family plans, etc. A part-time job during the school week is a much bigger question.

• Does your child need the time to study? A job doesn't necessarily put a teen's learning at risk if the student can balance work with schoolwork and recreational time. For example, students who don't work score only slightly higher on the ACT than those who have regular, part-time jobs. But many studies point to a drop in grades when students work more than 15 hours each week.

• Is your teen's income a necessity or a luxury?

• Will your teen have enough time for sports, hobbies and social activities? Students who work long hours often miss out on social and intellectual development gained from participating in school clubs and athletic teams.

• Does your teen understand the commitment needed and what it will mean to his or her other activities and free time? Make sure your teen knows what you expect regarding school performance and family obligations.

Work can be valuable for teens because it can help develop confidence, maturity and social skills. And, in some cases, it can help a student make decisions about future jobs. You can help make sure the amount of work is balanced with your child's obligations to school and other responsibilities.

Helping a "family first" plan for college

If you haven't been to college and your child is planning to go, you can help more than you might think. Download the Family Firsts booklets for information to help you and your child figure out how best to prepare for college and a career.

Here are a few things you can encourage your child to do to prepare for college, and the sooner the better:

• Develop reading, writing and thinking skills.
• Limit TV time.
• Listen to music with positive messages.
• Join clubs in debate, science or writing.
• Read, read, read.
• Identify people who can help in and out of school.
• Ask questions.
• Visit colleges.
• Sign up for college outreach programs.
• Talk to college students.
• Join groups at school and in the community that focus on positive values and support for each member.

For more college planning information, visit ACT's student website.

ACT test date reminder

The next nationwide ACT testing date is Oct. 27, 2007. The regular registration date is Sept. 21, and the late registration deadline is Oct. 5. A Sept. 15 test date is available in 19 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and West Virginia). Students registering online should register early to avoid heavy Web traffic and delays.

ACT offers an optional Writing Test. Find out about the Writing Test on the ACT student website, including what colleges have decided about requiring it.

The website also provides test prep aids, including free sample test questions, and ACT Online Prep™, an online ACT test prep program. You'll also find test day tips, a list of items to bring to the test, and details on what types of calculators are allowed on the Math Test.

For questions about the ACT test, visit ACT's student website.

See also:

ACT's Information for Parents

The ACT

PLAN

EXPLORE

Financial Aid

College Search

Careers