Post-Secondary Readiness
Post-Secondary Readiness in High School
Postsecondary readiness means being prepared for life after high school, whether you want to go to college, learn a trade, or start a job. It's about having the right skills, like reading, math, and computer know-how, and knowing what you want to do for a career. You also need to be good at things like getting organized, working with others, and dealing with challenges. Plus, it's important to plan how you're going to pay for your education and make smart money decisions. Schools help you get ready for this next step by teaching you what you need to know and helping you figure out your options. The goal is to be ready for whatever path you choose after high school.
Explore how you can prepare
By the Numbers
*Numbers based on the 2022-2023 school year
2,742
AP Students
531
IB Students
225
Students in TCC Classes
751
Students in Tulsa Tech Classes
5,365
Students in Career Tech Classes
Post-Secondary Readiness in Middle School
IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO PREPARE FOR YOUR FUTURE
Preparing for high school graduation begins in middle school. For today’s learners, middle school is the ideal time to begin exploring career paths and matching students’ skills and interests with jobs. We want to help your students find their ‘why’ and work with them to determine how they can use that to create a life and career they’re passionate about.
Why is middle school so important? Students are laying the foundation in many core subjects while forming their study habits at the same time. Developing certain skills in middle school will make it easier for your child to adjust to the challenges of high school and college later — and will lead to more college options.
How can you start planning? Your school counselor can help you plan your course schedule to maximize the way you’re using your time to prepare for high school. By completing some high school-level courses in middle school, students can open up the opportunity to then take college courses or participate in internships during their high school years. This allows them to be even more prepared for furthering their education after graduation or moving into the work force.
Career Exploration in Action
Eighth grade students from all our middle schools have the opportunity to participate in JA Inspire. This Junior Achievement event allows students to meet with businesses from different career sectors to explore what they may want to do after high school.
Learn more
Ways to support your student
Be Engaged in Learning
- Communicate Regularly: Maintain open lines of communication with your child’s teachers. Attend parent-teacher conferences and reach out if you have concerns.
- Monitor Progress: Check grades and assignments regularly through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. Please reach out to your school office for log in information. Check your email weekly for your child’s weekly grade and attendance information. Celebrate achievements and address any areas of concern promptly.
Encourage Consistent Attendance
- Establish a Routine: Help your child develop a consistent daily routine that prioritizes on-time school attendance.
- Address Absences: If your child must miss school, ensure that they stay on track with assignments and seek help if needed.
Utilize School Resources
- After-School Programs: Encourage participation in tutoring, study groups, or after-school programs that offer additional academic support.
- Seek Help: If your child struggles with specific subjects, consider arranging meetings with teachers or utilizing resources like counseling services.
Support Homework and Study Habits
- Designate a Study Space: Create a quiet and organized space for your child to focus on homework and studying.
- Establish a Study Schedule: Encourage regular study times, ensuring that your child is prepared for tests and assignments.
Information about post-secondary learner progressions
Outcome |
Competency |
Learner Progressions |
||
Middle School |
Early High School |
Late High School |
||
I know how to thrive as an adult. |
I process and engage with emotions in a healthy and productive way. |
I express my feelings in a healthy way, even when challenged. |
I listen to my classmates and build on their thinking. |
I work with others to help a group succeed. |
I understand who I am and what I care about. |
I begin to learn what interests me and why. |
I know what I’m good at and how I want to grow. |
I identify what’s most important to me and the steps needed to get there. |
|
I try and fail on the way to achieving my goals. |
I learn from my mistakes. |
I set and work toward challenging goals. |
I take risks and learn from mistakes to reshape my next steps. |
|
I am ready to pursue a life of purpose. |
I set myself up to achieve my post high school goals. |
I plan my high school experience so that it is challenging and will help my future. |
I choose classes and activities in and out of school to achieve my goals. |
I know the goals I’m working toward post graduation. |
I experience professional opportunities that help me find my purpose. |
I explore a variety of jobs/careers that |
I do challenging work in careers that |
I am ready to take the next steps to strengthen my career opportunities post-graduation. |
|
I manage money so it works for me. |
I know how to make short and long-term money decisions. |
I begin to invest my money to build wealth. |
I plan and know how to finance key decisions after high school. |
|
I impact my community for the better. |
I work well with different types of people. |
I ask questions to learn more about others’ thoughts and opinions. |
I take actions that create a positive environment for in-person and online communities. |
I use my strengths to adapt to team needs. |
I take action to give back in meaningful ways. |
I take small actions to positively impact individuals or groups in my community. |
I see how the actions I take can connect to community challenges and opportunities that matter to me. |
I make intentional decisions about how to give my time and talents to positively impact individuals, groups, or my community as a whole. |
|
I build and positively change communities. |
I know how different people can work together to make a difference in their communities. |
I get others involved in an idea I care about. |
I bring people together to make a change that’s important to me. |
DID YOU KNOW?
Students who are engaged and have enriching, meaningful experiences in middle school have a better attitude toward high school and learning in general.
Middle schoolers are at a place in their educational journey that sets the trajectory for the rest of their life. Those who miss a lot of school or perform poorly may continue to do so in high school and are at an increased risk for dropping out.
Things You Can Do Now
- Apply for Oklahoma’s Promise. The Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program allows students who meet certain income, academic and conduct requirements to earn a college or technology center tuition scholarship. Students can apply as early as 8th grade. Click here for more information.
- Create a Middle School College Prep Checklist for your student and work with them to begin making plans and crossing things off the list.
- Participate in career shadow/career learning opportunities that your school may offer
Our Team
Krystal Hutchinson
Director, Postsecondary Readiness
hutchkr1@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6513
Tristen Black
Manager, College and Career Pathways
blacktr@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6462
Contact for: Career Tech Programs
Tammy Griggs
Manager, College and Career Pathways
griggta@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6514
Contact for: Career Tech Programs
Charles "Andrew" Ford
Manager, Postsecondary Access
fordch@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6595
Contact for: AP/IB Programs, Course of Study, Concurrent Enrollment
Eschelle Gilkey
Manager, Secondary Counseling
gilkees@tulsaschools.org
918-746-7535
Ryan Noshay
Manager, College and Career Programs
noshary@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6743
Contact for: EDGE (Earn a Degree, Graduate Early), BEYOND College Fair, JA Inspire, Advisory, BRIDGE
Pamela Littlejohn
Coordinator, College and Career Advising
littlpa1@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6494
Contact for: ICAP and XELLO, FAFSA
Patricia Scott
Coordinator, College and Career Advising
scottpa@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6368
Contact for: Scholarships and Work-based Learning
Bonnie Dickson
Advisor
dicksbo@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6590
Contact for: Booker T. Washington High School, Memorial High School
Jasmine Newton
Advisor
newtoja2@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6592
Contact for: Webster high school, Tulsa MET high school
Lauren Skvarla
Advisor
skvarla@tulsaschools.org
918-746-6589
Contact for: Hale High School
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