What Do You Do Before High School Graduation 2017?
William Jackson, M.Ed. – Edward Waters College
@wmjackson #MyQuestToTeach

These suggestions are to help as graduation gets closer. Graduation, an end to an educational journey from Day Care to High School. Before this momentous occasion,
parents need to make sure all the I’s are dotted and T’s crossed to make a smooth closure to a long journey. These are just a few suggestions from my experiences as
a parent and a teacher. Parents, make sure your child has enough credits to
graduate and has a “diploma”, not a “certificate of completion”.

Make sure your child understands that their journey in public education may be coming to a conclusion, but learning does not end there. It is a continuous life-long process. Ask anyone that is successful in their career and working in a “real” career, not just a job.

1. Make sure you obtain the most recent high
school “official” transcript to send to schools
or potential employers. Many organizations,
schools, and groups require a transcript to see
if academically students are “qualified” to be
eligible. The world is highly competitive and
education is the key to achievement and
advancement.

2. Make sure you have current and up to date
medical and dental records. Even after graduating from high school, students are still dependent on their parents for certain medical services. Parents must understand “their” graduate is not an adult yet, they are still maturing, learning
and growing. There is some information and documentation only
parents can obtain until children are 21 or even 25. As a parent of a 25 and 21-year old, I still in some cases support my children outside of money.

3. Make sure there are boundaries and expectations on behaviors, actions, and even responsibilities in the home for the soon to be graduates. There should be mutual understanding on everyone’s duties and responsibilities and always respect. Stop
telling your child they are “grown” until they are out of your house and working independently. Even that is not a guarantee that they will not need some support until they are established and able to support themselves.

4. Talk to your child’s teacher(s) about internships, scholarships, summer employment and community projects. Do not accept the words, “I got this,” as being responsible and accountable. Parents end up paying more in the long run, so keep informed and stay on your child unless they show responsibility.

5. Make hair, nail ,or beauty appointments months before May to avoid the rush and chaos of getting your child ready. Young men need to also reserve haircuts, shaves, and clothing appointments.

6. Remind your child of the two institutions that want their attendance: Correctional (Prison) and Instructional (Higher Education) and to make wise decisions even after graduation. The closer it gets to graduation, sometimes kids lose touch with reality and get “stupid” and maybe even “ignant” as some seasoned seniors would say.

7. Check your child’s academic (Cumulative) folder for items that may delay graduation or entrance into college, trade school or the military. You have a right to see their
records and ask questions and if not provided seek an attorney for help. Don’t wait for the last weeks to make demands. It makes that person look like a fool because there are 180 days in the school year, so why did you wait? Check for discipline referrals, changed grades, teacher notes, etc. All documentation is important.

8. Make sure all deposits and fees are paid in full before graduation. Check for lost books, needed forms, and other items that should be completed. Do not trust your child unless they show they are responsible. “I got this” are the words that put gray hairs
in more parents’ hairs because something will be undone that costs money.

9. Know what your child’s GPA is, weighted or un-weighted.

10. Make sure your child takes or has taken the SAT and the ACT several times.
Many schools only require one, but better safe than sorry.

11. Check on Bright Futures scholarship information. Many HBCUs accept ACT scores that show your child’s academic success and potential for future success. Use whichever gives you a better chance of getting into college and this may affect monies. Check athletic scholarships, make sure it is a full ride or partial. Does it cover books and incidentals?

12. Work on your child’s marketable skills to help them network and grow. Get them involved in community events before they need community service hours, not
ushing to beg people to help and the child does not learn anything from their experiences.

13. Set Academic, Professional, Monetary and Careergoals now so your child will have a flexible plan of attack when they graduate.

14. Have your child volunteer consistently, stay involved in your community, and church. Volunteer hours can still help with networking and build marketable skills to use later.

15. Search online and inquire with local businesses about summer internships paid and unpaid. Your time is valuable so unpaid is important also.

19. Join local business organizations like Chamber of Commerce to gain marketable skills
and get a jump on career goals.

20. Participating in church events and activities helps build your resume or CV curriculum vitae.

21. Take college tours, visiting the school environment to make sure you are familiar with college or even the military.

22. Social Media entries; post POSITIVE content, pictures, text, and video. Your e-Reputation and e-Personalities tell a story about you. Social Media content will define you and may be your first representation of you to others.

23. Register with LinkedIn to start networking and connecting. There is a NEW LinkedIn for students. https://students.linkedin.com/

24. Continue to research educational options and inquire even now about Masters and
Doctoral programs.

25. Make sure you and your child understand what type of diploma they will have. It is
painful to expect a High School Diploma and receive a Certificate of Attendance,
Certificate of Completion, an ESE Diploma or others.

26. On Social Media unfriend and even block those that are openly using drugs, weapons
and involved in criminal actions. You may be “guilty by association” by having them part
of your network.
27. Have a “real” Social Security card and Birth Certificate, and if necessary a Visa to travel abroad. Many high school students and those going to college are even getting passports.

28. Check with your local police department to make sure there are no records of mistaken criminal activity from someone impersonating you or looks like you.

29. Financial Aid and Scholarship Information can be found online.
https://twitter.com/prepforcollege  @prepforcollege (Twitter) #CollegeChat,

30. Google and Hashtag yourself to “see” what is online about you to be prepared for questions of activities and events that you’re involved in.

31. Contact teachers and other professionals that you may need letters of recommendations from them. This is one reason why children need to be
taught to respect and honor adults because it is the right thing to do and they WILL need their help.

32. Teach your children to be humble, approachable, honest, responsible and accountable for their actions. The world is sometimes an unforgiving
place and if mistakes are made sometimes an apology is accepted, but if one is not given
that can be counted against them.

Parents, sometimes it is hard to accept that the apple does not fall far from the tree. So take extra care to support your child to build their confidence, to be proactive and
responsible.

The world has changed. Being prepared means being a well-rounded individual with people skills, confidence, and that understanding that the world is based on global competition. Teach your children early about the value of having an education and being a life-long learner.

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