Promising Practices

The day is planned around interaction of parents with various "Educational Resources," such as a high school guidance counselor and representatives from GEAR UP KY, the Kentucky Higher Educational Assistance Authority, the military, and from university and community college financial aid and admissions offices.

The room is set up with tables/booths for each "Educational Resource." Upon arrival, parents receive a student scenario about which they seek information and advice from the various resource representatives who are present. A scenario might look like this:

Each Educational Resource would respond appropriately. For example:

• A guidance counselor might tell a parent that the child needs to be on a college preparation tract if they intend to go to college; they would also explain the difference between a college prep and general tract plan, if needed.
• A financial aid person might inform the paresnts that it is not too late to plan for their student's educational endeavors.

We are specifically targeting parents so they can become more aware of resources available to them when making decisions impacting their children in such a life-altering way. Parents become more aware of the curriculum their children are participating in, financial aid options available to them, and additional resources their children may be eligible to receive. There are also benefits to having school officials participate. Sometimes school personnel become so engrossed with work details, that they lose sight of the long range goal of preparing students for life after high school.

This activity generates parents' interest in how they can become actively involved in their student's life. It provides the parents with tools and confidence to help their students make informed decisions about college and their future. Parental involvement = Student Success!

Various educational resources including high school guidance counselors, representatives from GEAR UP, the Kentucky Higher Educational Assistance Authority (KHEAA), the military, and university/community college financial aid and admissions offices.

The Reality Store was started by The Women Helping Girls with Choices Projects with BPW/Indiana sponsors throughout Indiana. The Reality Store was a class project of Leadership Ohio County. The Harrodsburg Reality Store is a team project of Harrodsburg High School, School-to-Work, Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, and Mercer County Cooperative Extension Service. The Reality Store concept was altered by Heather W. Musick, Southeast Area Director of GEAR UP KY, and the Prichard Committee in the spring of 2004 to involve parents with the issues of which they may be concerned.