ElizabethB Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 We have friends who are getting guardianship of a family member who will be a Junior next year. The wife is a counselor and there are no RAD issues, so they have all the attachment/counseling areas covered. She stayed with them over spring break. They are involved with other children in their family but are going from no children of their own to having a teen girl. She has been with Grandparents in a working class environment, with working poor schools in the Rust Belt. She really wants to go to college but is going to need help to get up to speed at a good school in a good neighborhood. They will get her sometime this summer and will start working with her then. I have had in my Amazon cart and have now purchased to read through and let them borrow (I wanted them within the next for years for ideas for my children, I figured why not buy now and share!) the following books I've seen recommended here: How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character by Paul Tough Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges by Loren Pope, Ed. Hilary Masell Oswald What High Schools Don't Tell You (And Other Parents Don't Want You to Know): Create a Long-Term Plan for Your 7th to 10th Grader for Getting into the Top Colleges by Elizabeth Wissner-Gross For testing/remediation, I've recommended that they have her take online tests at Lets Go Learn. The K-7 Math test is linked to Kahn. I have any reading or spelling remediation covered since I've been doing that for 19 years. They also have a Pre-Algebra and Algebra test at Lets Go Learn. But, I would like more math remediation ideas. Isn't there some higher level book that covers the basics? They think she might be taking Algebra, but with the school and situation she's coming out of, I am sure there are holes in her math understanding. Also, her grades may not yet be college worthy. How can she overcome her first several years? (And it may take a while for her to do well even this year and next.) Homeschooling her or a gap year before starting is not an option. She does have a sport that she is good at, maybe even good enough for a scholarship. It's too bad they don't have more time--Junior year seems so late to start! But, that is what they have to work with. They are both smart and college educated and able and willing to afterschool and help her succeed. (And they have said that she is smart and motivated.) They have contacted their local school and are working with them, and their local school is being helpful. Ideas? Thoughts? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MicheleinMN Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges by Loren Pope, Ed. Hilary Masell Oswald What High Schools Don't Tell You (And Other Parents Don't Want You to Know): Create a Long-Term Plan for Your 7th to 10th Grader for Getting into the Top Colleges by Elizabeth Wissner-Gross I own both of these books and, I don't really think either of these books are going to be helpful to someone trying to play catch-up. They are focused on very good students trying to get into good/excellent colleges. Her best bet is probably to go to do the best she can in school and look toward attending a community college from there. Without either stellar grades or test scores, and not being able to take an extra year or homeschool, a top college is going to be a big stretch. Sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisabees Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 Elizabeth - hugs to your friends for taking on this situation. I suggest the girl work with an online tutor, rather than her new guardians teaching her. She will experience enough of a transition into a new family and situation. We used a tutor through Live Online Math last year with great results. We had an unusual situation and needed to work through a book quickly. The tutor was fabulous and the owner of Live Online Math was wonderful - he was accessible and always in touch, asking us how our experience with the tutor was going. I am sure there are other tutors that would work as well. Maybe Jann in TX? Derek Owens is also another self-paced option. We've had success with both of these as well. If your friends are set on teaching her themselves, maybe Lial's Basic College Math or Math Mammoth would work? They can have her take end of chapter (or placement) tests to see where she has gaps. I do share the reservations of the PP, but if this girl is determined, she can do just fine. I wouldn't worry so much about colleges at this point. I would worry about her catching up and fitting in. By spring of junior year, they will have a clearer picture of her abilities and determination. Best wishes to all of them! ETA: Check out this recent post - maybe some of it will resonate with them as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted April 23, 2013 Share Posted April 23, 2013 If she's behind for the junior year in the new school I would have her repeat her sophomore year. Only the administration would know. There really isn't a rush. I wish them the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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