 FAQs - Connecticut State Scholars
What is the State Scholars Program?
Connecticut State Scholars is as simple, low-cost, high-impact strategy
that motivates students to complete rigorous high school courses that
prepare them for college and careers. Research shows a direct correlation
between challenging high school coursework and success in the modern
workforce, the military and postsecondary education. The State Scholars
Initiative began when concerned businesspeople, educators and researchers
noticed that many high school students were not enrolling in or completing
essential academic courses such as algebra II, chemistry and advanced
English.
Connecticut State Scholars is endorsed by employers, the state Departments
of Education and Higher Education, and local school districts.
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Why is there a need to a Scholars Course of Study?
The Scholars Course of Study responds to four trends.
- First, high
school graduates are showing up in universities and colleges
without the requisite skills to perform at the postsecondary level.
Almost half (49 percent) are required to take remedial courses
before digging into their collegiate studies. This has cost ramifications
for the individual, the family and the community at large.
It also
makes it six times less likely that the student will ever complete
a degree.
- Second, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, by the end of
the decade the U.S. will face a shortage of 12 million qualified
workers for the fastest-growing sectors of the job market. Furthermore,
employers
consistently cite poor writing and math skills among job candidates.
- Third, people lacking college or job training can expect to remain
on the lowest rungs of the pay scale. Skills are vital currency in
the knowledge economy job market.
- Fourth, a large percentage of the student population does not understand
that they have to be proactive about their education. The State Scholars
program shows a student the broader range of options open to them
when they complete a Scholars Course of Study and lets them participate
in a crucial decision about their future.
From a student’s perspective, completing the Scholars Course
of Study builds currency in their future and increases earnings potential.
Hard work pays off.
From an employer’s perspective, the Scholars Course of Study
means access to a skilled and stable workforce that helps businesses
compete.
See the Connecticut State Scholars Course of Study.
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Why was Connecticut selected?
Connecticut was selected because the Center for State Scholars (CSS)
believed that the Connecticut Business & Industry Association,
working with the state departments of Education and Higher Education,
would form a strong partnership for high school reform in the state.
The Center also wanted to encourage the state’s significant positive
trends in completion of rigorous language arts, math and science courses.
To select states in general, the CSS solicited proposals and evaluated
each based on a four main criteria:
- High school reform is a priority for decision leaders
- A viable
state business-education coalition exists to house and lead the
Scholars effort.
- Key in-state corporations serve as “flagship” sponsors
through financial and in-kind.
- The state policy structure is
aligned with rigorous Scholars course completion.
CBIA is one of 12 business organizations selected nationwide by the
Center for State Scholars to receive funding from the U.S. Department
of Education and the Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
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Are all Connecticut school districts able to offer this course of
study?
In 2004, two school districts, New Haven and Danbury, will pilot the
Connecticut State Scholars program. Middletown's Vinal Technical High
School will start their pilot for the vocational-technical system in
September
2004.
Why become a Connecticut State Scholar?
Graduating as a Connecticut State Scholar means a student:
- acquires
advanced academic skills
- develops sound decision making and critical
thinking skills
- is prepared for college and reduces the likelihood
of needing costly remedial courses
- is a stronger candidate for certain
types of financial aid and scholarships
- has enhanced opportunities
for placement and future advancement with local and international
employers
Employers, colleges, universities and technical schools care
about an applicants overall education, not just a grade-point average.
They
prefer people who have completed a demanding course of study in high
school. They value a C in a hard class more than an A in an easy
one.
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What role do parents play in Connecticut State Scholars?
A parent's encouragement and support are essential in helping a student
achieve their academic goals. In the 8th grade, each student will prepare
a four-year Scholars Course of Study plan with the help of parents
and school counselors. Parents should work with school counselors and
teachers to help their children meet Scholars' course requirements.
In this way, parents help ensure that students are prepared for the
workforce or higher education upon graduation from high school.
Who pays for State Scholars?
The principal investment in State Scholars is one the business community
makes in the form of volunteers who go into schools to make State Scholars
presentations. Local and national businesses also provide cash and
in-kind contributions to provide incentives and support to students
and to recognize their achievement.
Additionally, the Center for State Scholars
has awarded the CBIA Education Foundation $300,000 over the next 24
months to establish the state infrastructure
for the Scholars Initiative.
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Is this a scholarship program?
No, the Scholars Initiative is a school- and community-based information
campaign to motivate students to make informed decisions about high
school course selection, and a public/private initiative to get states
to adopt a rigorous course of study as an official graduation plan.
To encourage students to complete its
recommended course of study, one state, Texas, has made Texas Scholars
course completion a qualification
for its need-based grant program. In Arkansas, two community colleges
offer free tuition to Arkansas Scholars and a third pays for Scholars’ textbooks.
Other states, including Connecticut, are exploring similar ties, and
the Center for State Scholars supports such incentives.
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Does the Scholars Program affect course content?
The Scholars Initiative is principally concerned with the course
of study. In each state, the business-education partnership defines the
course of study that corresponds to content that equates to the rigor
of the U.S. Department of Education’s defined course of study.
To graduate as a Connecticut State Scholar, a student must complete
the following courses with a grade of C or better:
- 4 credits
in English
- 3 credits in math (algebra I, geometry, algebra II or equivalent
integrated math)
- 3 credits in lab sciences (biology, chemistry, physics)
- 3.5 credits in Social Studies (U.S. history, world history,
world geography, economics, government)
- 2 credits in the same world language
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How will State Scholars
affect Connecticut higher education entrance exams?
It is expected that students are more likely to learn content that
they have been exposed to than content they have not. Taking the Scholars
Course of Study will provide our students with a greater likelihood
of success in college and the workplace. A study by The College
Board found that students who complete a more ambitious course of study
score an average of 102 points higher on the SAT.
Do all businesses have to contribute to the program in the same way?
Businesses can be involved in various ways – providing employees
for presentations to 8th and 9th graders, contributing financially
or in-kind, serving on committees to implement the program and supporting
the program by valuing a “state scholar’ as a preferred
hire – whether for summer, internships, part-time or full-time.
click here for more details.
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What financial obligation will be expected from businesses?
The Connecticut State Scholars program is NOT a big financial investment.
The more businesses that are involved, the smaller the financial request
from anyone. Major funding requirements will be for communication materials
and tutoring or extra classes; rewards (such as certificates of achievement,
discount cards); and recognition events. In-kind contributions can
lower the cost substantially and are actively encouraged.
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Contact us:
Dayl Walker, project director, Connecticut State Scholars
CBIA Education Foundation
350 Church Street ~ Hartford, CT 06103-1126
Phone: 860-244-1900; Fax 860-278-8562
walkerd@cbia.com
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