A recent study by ACT concluded that many middle and high school students are not effectively planning for the future; they aren’t thinking about their post-high school plans early enough, and they may not be taking the right classes to meet their goals.

To help high school guidance counselors and parents be more effective, ACT offers the following suggestions to help your students achieve success.

1. Start early: Encourage your children and students to start thinking about their college and career goals early on, at the middle school level, and help them devise a plan to meet those goals (school counselors are great for this stage of exploration).

2. Insist on challenging courses: Don’t let your children or students take the easy road; make sure they are taking the most challenging courses possible. Rigorous coursework helps prepare students for success in college and the workforce.

3. Talk to school officials: Parents should stay in close communication with school counselors, administrators, and teachers. Monitor your children’s or students’ academic progress and find out what specific classes they should be taking to meet their post-high school goals.

4. Provide encouragement: Be receptive and listen to your children and students when they want to talk about college and career plans, and encourage them to explore many different possibilities. Be supportive of their ideas, and help them collect as much information as possible.

5. Develop a financial plan now: Parents should not wait until their child is in high school to think about how they’re going to pay for college; start learning about college costs and financial aid now, and develop a financial plan as soon as you can. High school guidance counselors can help with any questions about financial aid, scholarships and loans.

High school guidance counselors and parents have complimentary roles. They are both concerned about the success of their students. If they work together, high school guidance counselors and parents can work to help students achieve their goals.