Web pages to plan for high school

There's no time like the present to start planning for the future. That's just what Kentucky students can do now that they have access to a new web-based career site aimed at middle and high schoolers, reports eSchool news

The new system called Individual Learning Plans lets students explore colleges and future careers while teaching them how to write a resume and apply for financial aid.

"I've already had more kids in the last week say things about this than I've ever had in 13 years of education," said Todd Mullins, a guidance counselor at Oldham South Middle School.

Students have their own pages with survey results and test scores, which guide students in helping to figure out their interests.

"It's pretty cool," said Ray Grijalba, 13, an eighth-grader at Oldham South who said he wants to be an engineer. "I've been looking at the money you make and stuff."

Parents can access their child's site and can send notices to the schools guidance counselors if need be.

"This is not about looking at every sixth-grader and saying, 'OK. What are you going to be when you grow up?' " she said. "This is about the process with those students and their parents to begin talking about the purpose of education, what their goals are going to be, that high school is important, and that it is important to get ready for high school."