GenParenting

Parenting resources for all who love and care for children

College Students Work to Explore Careers

College Students Work to Explore Careers

Last summer EJ completed an incredible job of self-discovery as a camp counselor in a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (S.T.E.M.) summer program at Stanford University. He worked with middle and high school students who were guided to the program through their parents’ selection or were returning campers who were passionate about the program.

What Students Can Learn Through Career Jobs

EJ found that it was easier to work with the high school students who were focused on exploring a career in S.T.E.M. occupations. These students were more engaged in the program and had more confidence when participating in various activities. Through these wonderful and challenging experiences, my son learned the following: [Read more…]

What Works in Urban Charter Schools?

What Works in Urban Public Charter Schools?

Youth Policy Institute Charter Schools (YPI) in Los Angeles County has met major growth achievements during the past two years. When preparing for our charter petition renewal, the leadership team analyzed extensive data and feedback from key stakeholders to identify what was working in YPI schools.

Best Practices

We identified the following five best practices:

  1. Our newly hired teachers are highly qualified with 15 – 20 years of teaching experiences and added years of professional experiences beyond teaching.
  2. Our teachers provide differentiated reading support and literacy instruction based on each student’s tested reading level. We have closed up to six years of grade level reading gaps in shorter amounts of time.
  3. Our teachers and students review grade level performance data daily to identify their strengths and weaknesses. This analysis helps students identify what they learn each day.
  4. Parents are critically important to their school’s success through varied levels of leadership involvement and engagement.
  5. Parents and their students are taught how to support each other in preparing for a specific career path that will include college and career preparation.

[Read more…]

Providing Social-Emotional Support to Our College Children

Providing Social-Emotional Support to Our College Children

Many students struggle at various times during their college years with academic challenges and try to determine the next steps in their career paths. They may be burned out, overwhelmed, or confused about their academic progress. When they question their next steps, they may ask their parents for added support or guidance. Here at 10 tips for providing our young adults with the social-emotional support they so desperately need: [Read more…]

Understanding the A to G Requirements for High School Students

Understanding the A to G Requirements for High School Students

Each spring, parents ask us to explain what high school courses are required for admission into the California colleges. We have highlighted below a basic description of the A-G college entrance sequence of high school courses students must complete for minimal eligibility into the University of California or California State University systems (per www.eao.sa.ucsb.edu or see       www.admission.universityofcalifornia.edu  or www.2calstate.edu):

A = 2 years of history

B = 4 years of English

C = 3 years required and 4 years recommended of Math

D = 2 years required and 3 years recommended of laboratory science

E = 2 years required and 3 years recommended pf of a language other than English

F = 1 year of visual and performing arts

G = 1 year of a college preparatory elective chosen from the A-F courses beyond those required. [Read more…]

Khám Phá Nghề Nghiệp cho Trẻ Em Chúng Ta

Khám Phá Nghề Nghiệp cho Trẻ Em Chúng Ta 

Trong suốt cuộc đời, trẻ em khao khát trở thành nhiều thứ khác nhau khi chúng lớn lên. Một đứa trẻ có thể muốn trở thành nhân viên vệ sinh và tài xế xe tải chở rác tái chế. Những trẻ khác lại ước mơ trở thành lính cứu hỏa, nữ cảnh sát hoặc giáo viên. Ngay từ khi còn nhỏ, chúng ta có thể khuyến khích con em mình tìm hiểu thêm về các loại nghề nghiệp và công việc khác nhau bằng cách:

  • Đưa con em đến nơi làm việc của chúng ta sau giờ học, vào buổi tối hoặc dịp cuối tuần
  • Khuyến khích trẻ em giúp đỡ về nhiều mặt khác nhau trong công việc của chúng ta (ví dụ như phân loại các bài tập khác nhau cho giáo viên, dọn dẹp thùng rác và rác tái chế cho các trung tâm thu gom rác và tái chế, và thực hiện các kiểm tra an toàn phòng cháy ở gia đình)
  • Giúp trẻ em học cách theo đuổi những khám phá về nghề nghiệp cụ thể thông qua nghiên cứu, tham gia vào các khóa học cao đẳng sớm cũng như tham gia vào các trải nghiệm công việc liên quan

[Read more…]