We understand that you don’t have the luxury of time when it comes to planning your Freshman Transition effort.
That’s why we’ve created a shortcut of resources to help you and your team quickly develop an understanding and vision
of what is possible. This process will guide you in the development of an efficient and effective plan. You’ll save countless
hours while, at the same time, developing a strategy that can change the culture of your school as it changes the course
of your students’ lives.
Program Structure Recommendations:
Career Choices Data Brief
Hierarchy of Needs for Dropout Prevention
Medal Survey
Online Tool for Program Data
Professional Development Blueprint for Dropout Prevention Career Choices Fact Sheets Request a Review Set
Why is a 10-year plan for all students such an effective dropout prevention strategy? This training module provides a clear and concise explanation.
Step 2: Read the NASSP Article & Watch the Freshman Transition Initiative Video
Read the article, “A Personalized Plan for Life” (NASSP’s Principal Leadership magazine by Dr. Rebecca M. Dedmond)
Step 3: Review the Standards
Review the Common Core & Course Standards for Freshman Transition Classes and download them to share with other members of your team.
Step 4: Watch "Success 101: A Prerequisite for Life (The Indio Documentary)"
This documentary follows a handful of freshmen, encapsulating their experience as they each develop their own 10-year plan in a year-long Freshman Transition course. Watch as their attitudes change -- about education, about their futures, and about themselves.
Step 5: Watch “The Five Ingredients for Success”
We’ve worked with schools since 1990. When it comes to implementing the Career Choices curriculum, we can tell you what works and what doesn’t. This training module provides an overview of what we’ve identified as the five key components for developing a successful program.
Step 6: Create a Vision and Develop Your Model
Once you’ve analyzed your resources (i.e., time, money, and energy), it’s time to develop the methodology for the course you’ll provide to your students. To help clarify your thinking -- about what you do and do not want your program to look like -- review the profiles of successful programs from across the country.