臺北市新住民專區網站英文版

by Lin Tai-an (Taipei Municipal Guting Junior High School principal) 

This year’s (2021 academic year) Junior High School Comprehensive Assessment will take place in May. Testing subjects include social studies, math, Mandarin, nature science, English, essay writing, and English listening. For most 9th grade students, this is their first national examination. After the release of test scores in June, students will have to know the schedule for high school application and figure out the direction for their future education. Facing such enormous pressure, how can parents help students along this journey?  

Currently, there are several channels to apply for a high school, which are open admission, special talent admission, and five-year junior college program open admission. An open admission means students don’t have to take other forms of entrance exams other than the comprehensive assessment. Base on student’s preference list, learning performances, and the comprehensive assessment scores, students can decide to take priority open admission, or school district open admission. Special talent admission allows students to study in professional classes (vocational school), science class, arts class, and sports class. Special talent admission is separated in to admission by selection and admission by test score placement. Five-year junior college admission is based on the comprehensive assessment test score, and students can choose priority open admission, or combine open admission.

Although there are so many channels to apply for a high school, the most important thing is for the students to find their interests and aspirations to make the best decision. In this process, parents play an important role. Through the examination period, parents should accompany students through this nerve-wracking time. Parents can also take this time to better understand their children's traits, skills, and interests through students’ transcripts, vocational evaluation, aptitude test, and other information to identify students’ academic interests and vocational leaning. After having all these information, parents will be able to determine which admission process is best for their children.

I would like to remind parents to have an open mind when exploring the future with your children. Let them choose what they love, and love what they chose. You can be successful in any subject field and there’s a future in every profession. Let your children have a positive and proactive attitude, and a healthy body and mind is the best asset they can have in life. 

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