While the drama queen in me loves the idea of parents and teens turning up at Back to School nights with pitchforks and burning torches (a la Disney's Beauty & The Beast, Young Frankenstein, etc.), confrontation is rarely the best approach. 

Below is a list of actions you (as a teen) or you and your teen (if you are a parent) can take to ensure that your high school education gives the foundation needed to help achieve post high school goals.

If readers have additional ideas, please comment so I can post them too.

The list goes from the simple, that any teen or parent can do, to ideas that will take a bit longer and will need a bit of finesse.

1.  Since the 2010-2011 school year is just starting, Back to School nights will be happening across the country.  If you are at one and someone mentions the percentage of students from YourHighSchoolUSA who are admitted to college, let the dolt finish.  If there's a Q&A, make the following points:

• Since only 12.5% of students are likely to pass college placement exams and fewer than 50% of those admitted will ever finish college, the percent of those admitted is a placebo statistic (like saying 100% of the people buried in a cemetery are dead).  It means nothing but sounds impressive. 
• Is YourHighSchoolUSA keeping track of what percent of its graduates succeed in getting the lives they want?  (This is the gold standard for those who study emerging adults and young adult transition from school to work.)
• Ask the administrator to name the classes the school offers to help students figure out what kind of lives they want as young adults and create detailed plans for post high school success.
• If the word "college" is used by anyone, ask that person to explain their use of the word.  Are they talking about higher education in general, university, community college or technical school?  Adults, especially educators, throw the word around in a very generalized way.  Students and parents need to understand what is meant in each situation it is used.

2.  Both you and your parents should read ...Parachute for Teens chapter 5, "Making the Most of High School."  This will give you many ideas for making your time in high school benefit your future plans.

3.  Every high school should be keeping track of its graduates for at least 5 years after graduation.  These grads can be a great source of ideas for improving high school so that it better prepares students for life post high school.  Teens can start a list (or a Facebook page for grads) as part of a class project.  Adults can offer to start it as a PTSTA project.

4. Your freshman year, or now if you've gotten out of the 9th grade without doing this:  Make a list of all your interests and the classes or programs at your high school that will let you explore your interests.  You can do this list by yourself, with friends, your parents or a career mentor of your choice.

5.  With your parents or your career mentor, make a list of what you want to learn or accomplish during your high school years so that you have a good foundation for life after high school.  This foundation will also help you construct your first career path.

• Which items on your list can be accomplished through your high school's classes or programs?
• Which items on your list will you have to DIY (Do It Yourself)
• Which items on your list will you have to find opportunities to do through programs in your local community or beyond?

5.  By 15, know the names of three to five job families that fit your interests, skills and personality.

6.  At 15 or 16, take the placement exam at your local community college.  The results of this test will let you know if you are on track academically.  Even if your goal is to study welding, HVAC or AutoTech at a community college, you will still have to pass the placement exams in English, math and science.  If you pass, wonderful.  If not, take your test results into your school counselor and plot your own remediation program. (See yesterday's column as to why remediation hurts your chances of finishing a higher education degree or certificate.)

7.  By, 17, have narrowed down these 3-5 job interests --through reading and field research--to your first and second choice of skill or job clusters.

8.  During the first semester of your senior year (or over the summer), complete the Parachute diagram (page v, 2nd edition, What Color Is Your Parachute for Teens) or Developing a Three Part Plan (page 66).  This is also a good time to read chapter 6, "Making the Most of College."

9.  Figure out what you really need to do right after high school.  Currently, adults focus on preparing you for your Big Career. Duh! 

• Just 2% of adults work in the job their 18 year old selves thought they wanted to do. 
• 80% of college students work (about 75% because they have to in order to fund their studies)
• A better question than your ultimate career goal is, "What training or education can I get either during high school or right afterwards that will qualify me for jobs that make more than minimum wage?" 

10. The majority of students who drop out of college do so due to debt and the cost of pursuing their educational goals, not because their grades are bad.

11. Getting a bachelors degree in four years happens for only 33% of college students. Nearly 60% need 6 years to gain a degree.  When factoring out the possible cost of a bachelors degree, use 5 or 6 years of tuition, books, room+board, etc.  If graduating in four years in one of your goals, look for colleges at which a high percent of students do.

12.  It takes an average of three years for students to achieve an Associate of Arts degree from a two year public community college or private trade/tech school.  Budget for three and rejoice if you graduate in less!

13.  If at 16 or 17 you can pass the placement exam at your local community college, have clear ideas about what you would like to study and little interest in your senior prom, consider either dual enrollment (high school and community college) or transfer to community college.

14.  If you are over 18, unemployed, underemployed, or just plain ticked off at the education you received at your local schools, run for political office--school board, city council, board of supervisors, any elected position.  If you are young, you'll attract lots of media attention--which may help you make contacts you need to get a job.  Second, don't let anyone tell you that you are too young.  If you can't achieve your life and career goals with the high school education you received, there's no one better than you to bring about the changes needed to give other students a chance to learn the skills they need to navigate the job market of the 21st century.