What is an Independent Education Consultant?
What services are provided by Step Into The Maze Inc.?
What is the difference between Step Into The Maze Inc. and Sylvan, Huntington or Kaplan?
What is the difference between Step Into The Maze Inc. and a school guidance department?
What is the cost of tuition?
When are the training sessions scheduled?
How frequently do the students attend the Step Into The Maze Inc. training sessions?
Where can the students find out what is scheduled or what they need to complete for the next training session?
What security procedures does Step Into The Maze Inc. utilize to protect students when using the laptop computers or the internet? 
What disciplinary action will Step Into The Maze Inc use when dealing with student problems?
Does Step Into the Maze Inc. guarantee that a student will get into all the schools they apply to or receive all the scholarship money they applied for?

What is an Independent Education Consultant?
An Independent Education Consultant is a person who “is a skilled professional providing counseling to help students and families choose a school, college or other program that is a good personal match: one that will foster this particular student's academic and social growth. Educational consultants can provide a student and family with individual attention, firsthand knowledge of hundreds of educational opportunities, and the time to explore all of the options. …With their extensive knowledge of schools and colleges, consultants can broaden the potential choices, and provide vital help in weighing factors such as cost, location and curriculum. With a consultant, your student has the opportunity to explore a wider variety of options and discuss possibilities in a meaningful way. Because they are not tied to any specific school or college,  consultants are not burdened with unrelated duties, and are available at the family’s convenience—not just during school hours during the school year”  (http://www.educationalconsulting.org/parents.html). 

What services are provided by Step Into The Maze Inc.?
Step into the Maze Inc., shifts student perception about themselves and their school experience.  Students learn to see their schooling as their first career, and themselves as 'learning professionals.'  With this mentality, students will plan and prepare for college with the methodical approach of a career professional who would be building a resume.  Taking control of their educational career by taking stock of past learning opportunities, making thoughtful responses to the key questions (Who am I?  What kind of life do I want to lead? How do I achieve it?), and synthesizing a plan based on prior knowledge and the answers to the key questions.  In order to achieve this vision, Step Into The Maze Inc offers the following services:

• Monthly training sessions scheduled for two hours designated based on high school grade level
• Professional Digital Portfolio made up of 10 Different sections which are used in the curriculum designed for each of the monthly training sessions.  The portfolio is a visual representation of all the students successes over the course of their four years (or however many years that the student is enrolled in the program).  This is the key element in shifting the students perception about themselves and their school experience. 
• Comprehensive 4 year (9-12th grade) Curriculum to help the students answer the questions “Who Am I?”, “What kind of life do I want to lead?”, and “How do I achieve it?”, in relationship to  the 4 modules of the program -  College Preparation, Career Preparation, Leadership and Change. 
• When completed a comprehensive interactive web site that will become a resource for careers, college and academic help, as well as the construction of the professional digital portfolio.
• See Student Parent Contract for additional details

What is the difference between Step Into The Maze Inc. and Sylvan, Huntington or Kaplan?
Step Into The Maze Inc is an extension of the academic setting focusing on identification of essential work skills that can be used for a career, application in the student’s academic work, preparation for the demands of college, the student’s personal goals.  Step Into The Maze Inc., combines that benefits of all three of these educational institutions study skills, time management, college admissions preparation in one location with the additional educational services of the professional digital portfolio.  Students will be able to attend college visitation tours and college fairs at all grade levels (9th – 12th grade), participate in Job Shadow/Internship opportunities and complete community service/service learning experiences. 

What is the difference between Step Into The Maze Inc. and a school guidance department?
As school districts are faced with more mandated responsibilities by New York State Board of Education and reductions in school aid the first areas to be cut have to do with Career Education.  There is a glaring gap between the skills that students are learning in their core courses and what will be required of them on the job or when they attend college.  Academic success in high school will determine the opportunities students have after they graduate but there is an isolation mentality when it comes to the skills required for one subject area.  Career Education used to bridge the skills from one content area class like Math and Social Studies to possible outcomes for jobs, career opportunities and future incomes.  In many districts Career Education, selection of college options, selection of college majors and bridging the skills from one class to another is left to guidance departments who are busy trying to document regents’ requirements.  Many departments are understaffed resulting in 350-400 kids being assigned to one guidance professional. 

That is where Step Into The Maze Inc’s program becomes so powerful for these students.  Based on the owners 12 years of high school and collegiate teaching experience, she knows what the colleges are requiring for student success, she works with businesses on job placements for shadow and internship experiences, she works with community service organizations to develop service learning opportunities.  She is able to create the bridge between what is being taught in the classroom setting and how to apply that knowledge to develop skills that will allow the student to identify who they are, what kind of life they want to lead and what steps they need to take in order to achieve that life. 

What is the cost of tuition?
Tuition is charged annually accompanied by a signed Student Parent Contract.  The tuition fee varies depending on what grade level the student is enrolled.  Programming emphasis varies based on what grade in high school the student is enrolled.

• Freshmen and sophomores rate is $250.00 for (10) 2hour monthly training sessions
• Setting and achieving a short term and a long term goal
• Identifying possible career categories that would interest them
• Job Shadow experience
• Study skills including: how to take notes, how to prepare for a test, how to read for comprehension
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in relationship to their Essential Work Skills (Professional Digital Portfolio).
•  Juniors rate is $500.00 for (10) 2 hour monthly training sessions
• Setting and achieving a short term and a long term goal
• Striving for academic success
• Career development through Service Learning
• Leadership training
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in relationship to their Essential Work Skills ( Professional Digital Portfolio)
• Seniors rate is $750.00 for (10) 2 and 3 hour monthly training sessions
• College and Scholarship Application Process
• Completion and publication of professional digital portfolio to be used for college admissions, college and scholarship interviews, job interviews, or military skills orientation. 
• Training on the Change/Transition process from high school to college
• Special Events rate varies depending on cost of the event
• Tutoring services provided by college students majoring in education and other certified teachers from the region at a minimum rate of $25.00 per hour.  All tutoring fees are set by the tutor.
• College Visitation Tours throughout Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, New England and Mid Atlantic States.  The college visitation tours will be contracted and pricing will be subject to costs involved with the trip including but not limited to transportation, housing, food, tips, and chaperone fees. 
• College Fairs will be subject to pricing similar to College Visitation trips. 
• Community Service/Service Learning activities to build community service hours. 
• College Admissions Testing Programs for SAT and ACT preparation.  Rates set by Kaplan testing center. 

When are the training sessions scheduled?
Training sessions are scheduled each evening from 5-7pm or from 7-9pm.  Each week of the month is designated for a different grade level.

• 1st week is for Freshmen and Sophomores
• 2nd week is for Juniors,
• 3rd week is for Seniors. 
• 4th  week of is reserved for make up sessions for those students who could not attend during their normally scheduled week. 
• The training center is open on Saturday from 9:00 am to 1:00pm for extra assistance. 
• Students are invited to use Saturday to work on activities they need to complete for the next month
• Receive tutoring help on homework for school (when scheduled for tutoring services)
• Access the resource library of college materials
• Use the laptop computers for school projects. 

How frequently do the students attend the Step Into The Maze Inc. training sessions?
Students will participate in one training session on their designated week a month.  Additional support services can be contracted to meet at other times during the month.  Students can take advantage of the open training sessions on Saturday to work on activities needed to be completed for the next month, get extra assistance from the instructor on the professional digital portfolio or college applications/scholarship applications. 

Where can the students find out what is scheduled or what they need to complete for the next training session?
On the students page there will be a calendar of events that is posted that will list the special events that are scheduled for the month as well as a list of the activities that need to be completed for the professional digital portfolio based on the student’s grade level. 

Once the comprehensive interactive website is operational the students will have a To Do List that they complete with their responsibilities list.  The Bowman Character will change from gray scale to a rainbow colored character.  Each color in the character represents a different section of the professional digital portfolio.  As the student completes activities for the professional digital portfolio a colored square will appear on the student’s home page. 

Instructors for Step Into The Maze Inc will be able to monitor the students’ activities and will be able to send email, text and written notes to remind students of what they need to accomplish before the next session. 

What security procedures does Step Into The Maze Inc. utilize to protect students when using the laptop computers or the internet? 
Security is a major concern for all educational institutions and, as such, is a priority for Step Into The Maze Inc.  When using the laptop computers in the training centers students will be monitored by a screening system that will document every action that is typed into the computer.  Verizon Internet service has educational screening software to block any site that is deemed inappropriate due to language, sexual content or violence. 

A second level of security will be used for each training center including the use of video cameras that will record each training session and will remain with the organization for a period of 5 years after the training session.  Step Into The Maze Inc is not a social network like Facebook or Myspace.  The information that is available through the website will be password protected.  The only persons that have access to the student’s file will be the student, the parent and Step Into The Maze Inc.  As long as the student does not share their password with another individual, the material that is included in their professional digital portfolio will be secure. 

Anyone violating any of the computer internet protocols will be subject to suspension of services or removal from the program without a refund. 

All training staff will be certified New York State Teachers and will have completed the state and federal security clearance background check.  Certification of the clearance is required at the time the individual is hired and will be kept in the employee’s folder.  Additional professionals will be hired as consultants to work with students in specific areas of instruction and service learning opportunities. 

Each year, staff will participate in training programs such as ISafe and Mandated Reporter Training administered by a New York State Trooper.

What disciplinary action will Step Into The Maze Inc use when dealing with student problems?

• If students or parents are found to have violated the Student Parent contract, the privilege of the use of the training center’s laptop computers, inappropriate use of the internet, website or any of the training materials, the student will be dismissed from the program with no refund. 
• If the student is caught sexually harassing, bullying or bringing a weapon to any of the programs or activities supported by Step Into The Maze Inc., the student will be dismissed immediately with no refund. Step Into The Maze Inc will contact the local police to determine the extent of the legal ramifications of their actions.   
• If a student is acting inappropriately, is disruptive to the other students in the program at a training center, at an activity, as a guest of a college, community service organization or at a job site the student will be immediately dismissed with not refund.
• See student contract for further details

Does Step Into the Maze Inc. guarantee that a student will get into all the schools they apply to or receive all the scholarship money they applied for?
STEP INTO THE MAZE INC strongly believes that Students who successfully complete four years of the Program will substantially increase the odds of being accepted into a college which is appropriate for their academic skill level, and that Students will increase their odds of being accepted for scholarships.  Nevertheless, Step Into The Maze Inc. can not and does not GUARANTEE that A student will get into HIS OR HER first choice college or a college that is above the Student’s academic ability or that the student will be accepted for ANY of the scholarships for which the student applies.