Free online class helps prepare students for college and careers

Designed for students in grades 7 to 12

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 26, 2015) — A new free online program called Take the LEAD can help Kentucky parents and community members support middle and high school students in getting ready for college and a career. The program is on-demand, allowing participants to earn their Local Education Advocate Diploma on their own schedule.

Developed by GEAR UP Kentucky specifically for at-risk and underserved families, Take the LEAD provides research-based coursework to help parents advise their children on their plans after high school. Participants learn about the importance of being involved in their child’s education, how to interpret standardized test scores and use online tools to keep track of their child’s academic progress, the different ways to pay for college, and how to navigate the college admissions process.

Topics are organized into three levels so parents can get the information relevant to their student’s grade level: Middle School (seventh and eighth grade), High School (ninth and 10th grade), and College & Career Savvy (11th and 12th grade – available this summer). Content is presented in “bite-size pieces,” 5–10 minute segments, with each course taking approximately 20–45 minutes to complete.