Investing in the Future

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Presenter Name Titlestate Scholars Program
Business Community Overview

• Investing in the Future
• Implementation Overview
• New Mexico
• October 30, 2003

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• 70 of the 30 fastest-growing jobs will require
  an education beyond high school.
• 40 of all new jobs will require at least an
  associates degree.
• Total college-level job openings between
  1990-2008 will nearly equal to the number of
  college educated entrants to the workforce.
• Source US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
  Statistics, The Outlook for College Graduates,
  1998-2008, 2000, in Getting Ready Pays Off!

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The academic intensity of the students high
school curriculum still counts more than anything
elsein providing momachelors toward completing
a bdegree ff
ffffffffffffffffff .
academic intensity
high school curriculum
anything
momentum
bachelors degree
C. Adelman, The Toolbox Revisited Paths to
Degree Completion from High School Through
College. (Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of
Education, 2006).
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Why is SSI important?

• High school students know they are not prepared
  for college or the workplace
• According to a February 2005 survey conducted by
  Peter Hart Research Associates, approximately 40
  percent of graduates reported key gaps in their
  preparation. A majority noted that if they could
  do high school over again, they would work harder
  and take more challenging courses.
• Peter D. Hart Research Associates/Public Opinion
  Strategies (Washington, D.C. Achieve, Inc.
  February 2005)

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Why is SSI important?

• U. S. businesses know high school students are
  not prepared for college or the workplace
• According to the Committee for Economic
  Development, only 31 percent of high school
  students complete the rigorous complement of
  courses recommended by the National Commission on
  Excellence in Education.

Source Cracks in the Education Pipeline A
Business Leaders Guide to Higher Education
Reform. Committee for Economic Development, (May
2005).
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Why is SSI important?

• The research supports it
• Students who take a solid college preparatory
  curriculum are less likely to need remedial
  classes in college and are more likely to earn a
  degree.

Source Adelman, C. The Toolbox Revisited Paths
to Degree Completion from High School Through
College. Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of
Education, 2006.
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Motivating students

• Training businesspeople to make presentations to
  8th graders right before they select their high
  school courses.
• Business volunteers help students understand the
  career options and monetary benefits of taking
  rigorous courses (defined in the Scholars Core).
• State Scholars programs provide academic support,
  incentives, and special recognition to SSI
  students. This ongoing support helps ensure
  student success in the more difficult courses.

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What is SSI?
4-Year College
Workforce (Civilian Military)
Community or Technical College
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What is SSI?
Upper 25
Minor focus majority already motivated
Middle 50
SSIs Heaviest Focus greatest opportunity
Lower 25
special challenges
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8th Grade Presentations
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Objective

• To encourage ALL high school students to complete
  a defined, rigorous academic course of study
• that prepares them for a successful transition to
• college or university coursework
• or
• vocational/technical training
• necessary to enter
• todays competitive job market

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How will effectiveness/success be measured or
evaluated?

• Measure yearly the percentage of seniors who
  successfully complete the Scholars Core Course
  of Study

• Measure yearly the percentage of 8th graders who
  sign up for the State Scholars Course of Study

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Timing of Presentations

• Student presentations are normally made within 2
  weeks of course sign-up day at high school.
• Parent presentations are made in the evening,
  normally in advance of student presentations.

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Synopsis of 50-Minute Presentation

• First Half
• Discussion of dynamic forces shaping world and
  effect on U.S.s ability to compete.
• Discussion of relationship of properly educated
  workforce to economic success of any nation.
• Emphasis on selecting the right courses in high
  school to be prepared for a lifetime of continual
  learning.

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Synopsis of 50-Minute Presentation

• Second Half
• Go through budget exercise based on
• Hypothetical monthly income of 2,250.
• Relate it to a full-time, minimum wage job.
• Recap critical importance of preparing oneself
  properly in high school.
• Acquaint students with State Scholars.

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State Scholars Key Components
8th grade presentation - presentation by
business reps
Incentives to stay on track
Senior recognition event(s)
GRADES
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9 10 11
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Hypothetical Monthly Income
Payment
Item
Amount Left

• Federal Income Tax (15) 300 1,950
• Social Security/Medicare (10.8) 243 1,707
• Medical/Dental Insurance 215 1,492
• Housing (Rent 1 Bdrm, Unfurn) 400 1,092
• Food 300 792
• Car Payments 300 492
• Insurance 100 392
• Gas, Oil, etc. 60 332
• Telephone 25 307
• Utilities 100 207
• Clothing 50 157
• Entertainment 50 107
• Savings 50 57
• Medical Expenses 25 32
• Furniture, TV, Appliances 15 17
• Miscellaneous 17 0

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Key Points

• Present program in classroom setting, normally
  with 2530 students per session.
• Have logistics lined out well in advance of
  presentation day.
• Do not dwell on introductions
• It is difficult enough to complete in 4550
  minutes.
• Use brief personal experiences.
• Add, delete, modify slides as appropriate.

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Lessons Learned

• No substitute for spending time in classroom.
• Multiple presentations highly recommended.
• Kids respond to messages involving money.
• High levels of energy, enthusiasm, and commitment
  are an absolute must.
• Presentation without student participation can be
  disastrous.

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Lessons Learned

• Avoid extensive use of notes or script.
• Do not shy away from being assertive and frank.
• Be alert for unexpected questions i.e., How
  much do you make?
• Stay in control of the presentation and the class.

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The Bottom Line

• Knowing or feeling
• you have reached the students
• is one of the most gratifying
• experiences in life!
• Plant an important seed.
• Help shape their destiny.
• Be remembered.

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For an electronic copy of
thispresentation, go towww.wiche.edu/stateschol
ars The work reported herein was supported under
State Scholars Initiative, PR/Award Number
V051U050006, as administered by the Office of
Vocational and Adult Education, U.S. Department
of Education. However, the contents do not
necessarily represent the positions or policies
of the Office of Vocational and Adult Education
or the U.S. Department of Education, and you
should not assume endorsement by the Federal
Government.