Encourage your kids to go to graduate school

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DEAR DR. FOURNIER: I am a single working mother of three with a degree in psychology, yet I'm an administrative assistant who had to learn on the job. I started this job at $18,000 and have worked up to $40,000, but am afraid I am reaching my peak. I still have fifth-, seventh- and eighth-graders to get through college. Yet look at what college did not do for me! My kids deserve to have a better future. Is there anything I can do?ASSESSMENT: Apparently you have worked really hard. You've proven you can learn because you've worked your way up, so don't be so sure that you've peaked. You believe that even if your children do well in school and get a college degree, they may end up in a job they never wanted, with a short road to dead end. And you want better for them.WHAT TO DO: Set up some new non-negotiable rules at home about what you expect from your children. Don't take no for an answer. Begin by explaining that a college degree has become a glorified high-school diploma and that they must go to graduate school as well.Here are the rules:1. Starting with the eighth grade, have each child make a plan of the courses needed to get into college. Tell your children that you expect them to take these courses. Figure out now in what year your children will take each subject. Pay attention to English, math, science (biology, chemistry and, if possible, physics), history and foreign language first (with Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese being their priorities). After you have those planned, then put in the requirements for fine arts, physical education/health and electives.2. Call the colleges they can go to and still live at home. Find out each school's requirements for a full academic scholarship (grade-point average, ACT score, community activities, letters of recommendation, etc.). Once you know this, have the child write the grade she must make in each course to surpass the average required. Next, have her set a goal for herself for the ACT.3. Have each child begin a resume in ninth grade. They will need to show civic and personal interest activities they have participated in, dedicating to these activities for at least two to four years. Have them list all awards, special commendations, honor rolls, etc. On a separate list, have them keep a record and summary of books they've read.4. Also in ninth grade, have them download a college application to fill in. Have them get it revised by a counselor so that each year as they practice, they get better.5. In 10th grade, they must take practice college admission tests (PSAT and PLAN). Have them start practicing these tests from the test-preparation books they may purchase at a bookstore. Initially, concentrate on the verbal parts. They are to take timed practice tests on different parts once each month and keep a chart of their progress.You may not be able to afford college out of pocket, but your children can afford the time and effort it takes to get academic scholarships. Tell them you expect them to get scholarships to college and graduate school. Since they can work while they are in college, they can help pay for that and other expenses.(Write Dr. Yvonne Fournier, Fournier Learning Strategies Inc., 5900 Poplar, Memphis, Tenn. 38119. E-mail her at drfournier(at)hfhw.net)