Postsecondary Deep Dive Lesson Plan
Connecticut Student Success Plan (SSP) • Phase 2 Advisory
Postsecondary Deep Dive
Advancing From Initial Postsecondary Plans to Actionable College, Career & Training Feasibility via SchooLinks
Target Grade: 11th Grade (Juniors)
Pacing: 20–30 Min Advisory Block
Prerequisite: Prior SSP Postsecondary Plan
Counselor Credentials & Standards Alignment
ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors
- M 4: Self-confidence in ability to succeed and navigate postsecondary systems.
- B-LS 7: Identify long- and short-term academic, career, and postsecondary goals.
- B-LS 5: Apply media and technology skills to conduct rigorous pathway research.
- B-SMS 10: Demonstrate ability to manage transition requirements and milestones.
CT State Standards & SSP Mandates
- CT P.A. 11-135 / C.G.S. 10-221a: Mandated annual SSP review requiring rigorous course alignment to students’ articulated postsecondary plans.
- CT CSCF Domain 2 (Career): Standard C2 (Develop specific vocational, technical & collegiate pathways).
- CT CSCF Domain 1 (Academic): Standard A3 (Relate school performance to postsecondary admission & placement).
Students Will Know (SWK)
- • How to evaluate their current GPA and course transcript against SchooLinks Scattergrams (categorizing options into Likely, Target, and Reach).
- • The financial and curricular difference between published tuition vs. true net cost, including Connecticut-specific aid (e.g., CT State PACT tuition-free program, in-state rates).
- • Specific prerequisite courses and certifications needed senior year for their targeted trade apprenticeship, technical certificate, or college major.
Students Will Be Able To (SWBAT)
- • Retrieve their saved SSP Postsecondary Plan in SchooLinks and select one primary career cluster to stress-test.
- • Conduct an in-depth data audit on two specific training/educational options (1 academic degree institution and 1 vocational/technical apprenticeship).
- • Synthesize feasibility data into a completed SSP Exit Ticket identifying an immediate junior-year action step for senior course selection.
Assessment Evidence & Verification Protocol
Formative Observation
Advisor walk-around check ensuring students access their existing SchooLinks plan and drill into scattergrams and course requirements rather than generic browsing.
SchooLinks Electronic Artifact
Updated student profile in SchooLinks showing tagged “Likely / Target / Reach” colleges and saved technical/apprenticeship program entries.
Summative Exit Artifact
Completed SSP Deep Dive Exit Ticket detailing admission feasibility, financial comparison, and senior registration prerequisite course requirements.
Materials: 1:1 Student Chromebooks/Laptops • SchooLinks SSO Access • Postsecondary Deep Dive Worksheet
Page 1 of 2
Section 5 • Advisory Implementation
Learning Plan: 20–30 Minute Deep-Dive Sequence
Junior Reality-Check Advisory
1 Launch: Retrieve the Plan & Frame the “Deep Dive”
0:00 – 0:04 (4 min)
Teacher/Advisor Script: “Last session, you built your general postsecondary plan. Today is our reality check: we aren’t just asking what you want to do, but how feasible each path is. Log in, pull up your saved career cluster, and let’s look under the hood.”
Students open SchooLinks > My Profile > Postsecondary Plan to identify the target field they are investigating today.
2 Advisor Demo: SchooLinks Scattergrams & Cost Calculators
0:04 – 0:08 (4 min)
Project SchooLinks on screen and demonstrate two deep-dive features:
1. College Scattergrams & Majors: Show how the scattergram compares student GPA to historical acceptances (Likely, Target, Reach) and where to check specific major prerequisites.
2. Apprenticeship & Trade Costs: Show the Technical Programs filter and demonstrate how to find paid apprenticeship wage ladders (e.g., starting at $22/hr with zero tuition debt).
3 Independent Deep-Dive Research & Feasibility Audit
0:08 – 0:21 (13 min)
Students use the Postsecondary Deep Dive Worksheet to conduct side-by-side data analysis on their target field:
- Option A (Degree Pathway): Evaluate 1 target college (GPA scattergram check, major requirements, net price).
- Option B (Vocational / Trade Pathway): Evaluate 1 technical or apprenticeship provider (entry test, training pay, credential).
Advisor Role: Challenge students on CT affordability: “Have you checked CT State Community College PACT or UConn in-state tuition?”
4 Peer Reality Check & Discussion
0:21 – 0:25 (4 min)
Turn & Talk (2 min each): Partners share: “Looking at the admissions scattergram or training requirements, what is the biggest hurdle I need to prepare for senior year?”
5 SSP Deep-Dive Exit Ticket & Accountability
0:25 – 0:30 (5 min)
Students complete the Exit Ticket connecting their findings directly to 12th-grade course registration and counselor review.
Exit Criteria: Student identifies (1) Preferred route based on deep-dive data, (2) One prerequisite course for senior year, and (3) Confidence triage check.
Tiered Counselor Protocol & SSP Follow-up
Differentiation Support: Students whose GPA falls below target scattergrams are guided to explore CT dual-enrollment / community college transfer pathways (P.A. 11-135 compliance).
Counselor Triage: Advisory exit tickets flagged as “Need Counselor Check-in” are compiled directly for junior spring individual planning conferences.
Connecticut Student Success Plan (SSP) • Grade 11 Advisory Framework Page 2 of 2
Postsecondary Deep Dive Worksheet
Student Name
Advisory / Room
Date
School Counselor
Grade 11 • Connecticut Student Success Plan (SSP) • Phase 2
Postsecondary Deep Dive
SchooLinks Data Audit
Step 0: My Stated Goal (From Previous SchooLinks Postsecondary Plan) Open SchooLinks > Profile
Target Career / Field:
Goal Type: 4-Year 2-Year/PACT Trade/Apprentice Military
A Option A: Academic Degree Deep Dive (College / University)
SchooLinks > College Search > Scattergram
Target Institution & Specific Major
Scattergram Admissions Feasibility
Likely Target Reach
True Cost & Aid (CT In-State / CT State PACT / Aid)
Prerequisite Courses Needed for Senior Year
B Option B: Vocational & Apprenticeship Deep Dive (Trade / Technical)
SchooLinks > Careers/Programs > Technical
Training Provider / Trade Union / CTECS Program
Entry Requirements (Aptitude Test / Math / Physical)
Training Compensation vs. Cost (Paid Wage Scale)
Credential Earned & Timeline to Full Licensure
Advisory Exit Ticket: Postsecondary Feasibility & Next Step
SSP Milestone Audit
1. Comparing Option A and Option B to your original plan, which path currently offers the strongest combination of affordability, admission likelihood, and personal motivation? Why?
2. What is ONE specific prerequisite course or GPA milestone you must achieve before or during 12th grade to qualify?
SSP Action Status: Confident in Plan Exploring Backup Need Counselor Check-In
Advisor Initial:
Connecticut Student Success Plan (SSP) • Grade 11 Advisory Deep-Dive Milestone (CT P.A. 11-135) SchooLinks Feasibility Artifact Verified
