Using EducationPlanner in the Classroom

The EducationPlanner website is a tool that can be used for career and academic development for students from grades 7-12. The sections of the site, and the activities and information pieces within each section, are independent of each other. Counselors and teachers can choose which parts of the site they wish to use in their career development program.

The following is a section-by-section overview of the site, with most appropriate grades indicated.

DISCOVERING (Grades 7, 8, and 9)

Career Assessment—in this section, students have access to information on more than 1,000 careers drawn from the O*Net database. Students can search for careers based on a keyword, occupational clusters, or their Holland Personality Type. The Career Key Assessment is a brief personality test (five screens, roughly ten minutes), that leads to the Holland Type, and is an effective way of introducing the concept of career exploration.
Fastest Growing Occupations—this is a listing of the careers that will experience the most significant job growth in the next decade.
Study Skills Tips—this is a listing of tips in the areas of studying, organization, time management, note taking, test taking and stress management.
Character Development—40 character topics are defined and thought-provoking questions are asked for each topic.
Learning Styles Quiz—this 20 question, 10 minute assessment of learning styles can help students, parents, and teachers determine a child's learning style and to identify ways in which the student can study and learn more effectively.
The More You Learn the More You Earn—this is a short article that emphasizes the importantance of education and its relation to lifetime earnings.
Thinking of Dropping Out—this is similar to “The More You Learn”, but it is directly targeted at those students who are at risk of dropping out of school. The article emphasizes the importance of at least graduating from high school.
Middle School Timeline—this describes activities that students should engage in during their middle school years.

PREPARING (Grades 10, 11, and 12)

High School Timeline—this describes activities that students should engage in during their high school years.
Information for Special Populations—articles provide guidance for first generation students, student athletes, and other special groups of students.
Test Prep—EducationPlanner provides extensive preparation for standardized testing, including tips and strategies for taking tests, sample questions, and practice tests. Assistance is available for the ACT, PSAT, SAT and SAT Subject tests. Graduate-level exams are also available.

SELECTING (Grades 7-12)

What to Look For in a School—this section provides information about what to consider when exploring postsecondary education options. It also targets several special populations, including students with disabilities.
School Search—this section includes twelve different postsecondary searches, including standard 2-yr and 4-yr schools, nursing programs, career colleges, and distance learning opportunities. Students can search nationwide, with over 4,000 postsecondary institutions included in the database. Search criteria include location, major, enrollment, activities, and other relevant criteria.
Other Information—also included in this section are articles to assist students in choosing a major, setting up a campus visit, and comparing schools.

APPLYING (Grade 12)

Applying 101—information in this section provides guidance for students who are undertaking the admission application process. This includes a detailed explanation of the admission process, as well as a resume builder.
Apply to School Online—this section of the site provides links to over 3,000 institutions and enables students to apply online to their school(s) of choice.
Other information—includes application guidance, tips for students who must go through interviews or auditions, and an essay writing course.

DECIDING (Grade 12)

Admissions information—this information focuses on helping students make the decision about which school they wish to attend. It includes a discussion of acceptance letters, the importance of making a second visit, and what to do if put on a waiting list.
Financial information—this information helps students compare financial aid packages to make informed financial decisions. An interactive financial aid award analyzer is included.

PAYING (Grades 9-12)

Financial Aid 101—this describes the financial aid timeline and the FAFSA, and includes a glossary, FAQs and a financial aid literacy quiz.
Grants and Scholarships—this section describes the various kinds of gift aid programs that are available. It also includes one of the largest free scholarship search databases available on the Internet, as well as information on NCAA scholarship limits.
Education Loans—this gives detailed information on various loan products and includes links to online application processes.
Other information—includes information on loan forgiveness, military aid, paying for graduate school, and repaying student loans.

NOTE: Parent and counselor information is available in EACH section.

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