In the middle school years counselors and teachers will begin to increase exposure to postsecondary options and planning.  Students will go on college visits and investigate career pathways at career fairs.  They will also take assessments to identify careers in line with their interests.

It is important that students continue to build their reading, writing, and mathematical skills.  Studies show that students who are off-track in 7th grade math are at higher risk for scoring below college benchmarks on the ACT in high school.

Grade point average should also become a focus for students at this age.  High school transcripts permanently record grades that follow students to the postsecondary application process.  Middle school is the best time to teach students about GPA and how performance affects their readiness.

Following are some resources for College and Career Readiness at the Middle School Level:

Middle School Counselor's Guide to College and Career Readiness, The College Board

https://secure-media.collegeboard.org/digitalServices/pdf/advocacy/nosca/11b-4382_MS_Counselor_Guide_WEB_120213.pdf

The Forgotten Middle: Ensuring all Students are on Target for College and Career Readiness by High School

https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/ForgottenMiddleSummary.pdf

College Readiness Begins in Middle School-ACT Report

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.508.5566&rep=rep1&type=pdf