According to the 2009 ACT Performance Results measuring “College Readiness” in the four content areas of English, Math, Science, and Reading only 23 percent of all U.S. high school seniors taking the ACT College Admissions Exam were considered ready for college. Although only 1 out of 4 high school seniors nationally were considered college ready, the data is far worst for students from some demographic subgroups:

• 4 percent of Black high school seniors
• 10 percent of Hispanic high school seniors
• 11 percent of Native American high school seniors
• 28 percent of White high school seniors
• 36 percent of Asian high school seniors

Clearly, the college-bound discussion with students and families must begin long before high school. This book not only opens the discussion, but provides over 80 activities to engage middle school students in maximizing the middle school experience as they close the college readiness gap.

Students learn:

• Who they are (personality types), how they are smart (multiple intelligences), how they learn (learning styles), and how to take ownership of their own learning (best/worst learning situations)
• What it will take to get into college
• How to develop a comprehensive plan of coursework, extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership development as preparation for college admissions
• How to engage in Internet research of colleges and careers
• How to make a successful elementary to middle school transition and a middle to high school transition as part of a 7-year college-bound plan
• How to prepare for academic success
• How to expand their reading, writing, and vocabulary, and much, much, more!