Make Your Future Happen What You Can Do in 8th Grade 1

Make Your Future Happen

What You Can Do in 8th Grade

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Your Future

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College Is Importantfor Your Goals Whatever your goals — changing the world

or simply earning a good living to support a family — you will need to go to college. Jobs that require a bachelor’s degree will

grow the fastest — nearly twice as fast as the national average.

More than two-thirds of new jobs will require some postsecondary education or training — apprenticeships, two-year college, four-year college and beyond.

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The More You Learn, the More You Earn

$49.9

$37.6

$30.8

$21.6

$0.0

$10.0

$20.0

$30.0

$40.0

$50.0

ANNUAL: Average earnings (in thousands) of full-time workers, by degree

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree

High school graduate

High school dropout

Source: College Board, Education Pays 2004: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society.

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The More You Learn, the More You Earn

$2.5

$1.8

$1.4$1.1

$0.0

$0.5

$1.0

$1.5

$2.0

$2.5

LIFETIME: Average earnings (in millions) of full-time workers, by degree

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree

High school graduate

High school dropout

Source: College Board, Education Pays 2004: The Benefits of Higher Education for Individuals and Society.

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4 Steps You Need To Take To Get to College

Push yourself

Find the right fit

Put your hands on some cash

Find a caring adult to help

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4 Steps You Need To Take To Get to College

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Push yourself

Find the right fit

Put your hands on some cash

Find a caring adult to help

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Push Yourself

Take the right courses — Core 40: Set of courses you need to take to

graduate from high school in Indiana Completing Core 40 gives you:

Solid preparation for college and work Career options Opportunities for scholarships

and financial aid

You cando it!You cando it!

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What Is Core 40?Course and credit requirements

English/Language Arts 8 credits (Must include literature, composition and speech.)

Mathematics (All students must take a math or physics course during junior or senior year.)

6 credits (Must include either Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II or Integrated Math series I, II and III.)

Science 6 credits (Must include Biology I; Chemistry I, Physics I or Integrated Chemistry-Physics; and any Core 40 science course.)

Social Studies 6 credits (Must include U.S. History; U.S. Government; Economics; and either World History/Civilization or Geography/History of the World.)

Directed Electives 5 credits (world language, fine arts, career/technical)

Physical Education 2 credits

Health and Wellness 1 credit

Electives 6 credits

Total 40 credits

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SampleFour-Year ScheduleGrade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

English 9 English 10 English 11 English 12

Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Elective

Biology Chemistry I, Physics I or Integrated Chemistry/Physics

Core 40 Science Elective

Health &Wellness

Elective

World History/ Civilization or Geography/History of the World

U.S. History Government/ Economics

PE Elective Elective Elective

Elective Elective Elective Elective

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Push Yourself:Go Beyond Core 40

Your high school schedule allows you to make a lot of choices: Take courses to explore — Career

Academic Sequence. Take courses that challenge you.

– Advanced Placement (AP)– Dual credit classes– International Baccalaureate (IB), if offered

Earn distinguished high school diplomas.– Core 40 with Academic Honors– Core 40 with Technical Honors

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Push Yourself To Achieve MoreCore 40 with Academic Honors

All Core 40 requirements

Plus …– 2 additional Core 40

math credits

– 6–8 Core 40 world language credits

– 2 Core 40 fine arts credits

– Grade of C or better in all required courses

– GPA of B or better

Choose/complete one:*

• AP courses/exams• Dual high school/college

courses from Core Transfer library

• Combination dual credit and AP courses/exams

• Score of 1200 or higher on SAT

• Score of 26 or higher on ACT• IB courses/exams

*See www.learnmoreindiana.org or your school counselor for more specifics.

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Push Yourself To Achieve More

Plus …– Related sequence of 8+

career-technical credits

– Grade of C or better in all required courses

– GPA of B or better

*See www.learnmoreindiana.org or your school counselor for more specifics.

Core 40 with Technical Honors

All Core 40 requirements

Choose/complete two (one must be A or B):*

A. WorkKeys assessment/scores B. Dual high school/college credit in

career-technical areaC. Professional career internshipD. Cooperative educationE. Industry-based work experienceF. State-approved industry-recognized

certification

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Keeping It All Straight: Career and Course Planner

Plan and track your information on: Career interests The courses you need

for graduation Your postsecondary

education goals Checklists of things you

need to do each year to prepare Available in print and online versions. Complete yours now and revisit it each year.

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Stay in School

Graduating from high school most likely will determine how well you live for the rest of your life.

High school dropouts: Are four times more likely than college

graduates to be unemployed. Earn $300,000 less than high school

graduates over their lifetime. Earn $1 million less than college graduates

over their lifetime.

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4 Steps You Need To Take To Get to College

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Push yourself

Find the right fit

Put your hands on some cash

Find a caring adult to help

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Find the Right Fit Start thinking about your

future and careers. Different ways you can

explore interests and match them with possible careers: Web sites

– www.learnmoreindiana.org– www.driveofyourlife.org

Job shadowing Volunteering Clubs Electives (career/tech)

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Start Thinking about College Now

Check out college Web sites.

Talk to your parents. Talk to friends. Talk to your school

counselor. Visit college campuses.

• Public college• Private college

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4 Steps You Need To Take To Get to College

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Push yourself

Find the right fit

Put your hands on some cash

Find a caring adult to help

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Put Your Hands on Some Cash

You can afford college. There are lots of

resources to help you. Between now and senior

year, you will get more information.

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What You Can Do Now

Read mini-magazines for information on paying for college.

Attend programs in your community on how to pay for college. Take your parents.

Apply for 21st Century Scholars.

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21st Century Scholars

Students who are income eligible, stay in school and fulfill a pledge of good citizenship: Receive a tuition scholarship at

participating Indiana colleges and universities.

Also can get tutoring, mentoring and support to finish college.

Must apply by end of 8th grade.

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Consider Other Scholarships

Many other scholarship programs as well. Increase your chances of getting a

scholarship by: Joining a club Playing a sport Exploring the arts Volunteering

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4 Steps You Need To Take To Get to College

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Push yourself

Find the right fit

Put your hands on some cash

Find a caring adult to help

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Find a Caring AdultTo Help

Everybody needs some help. Speak up. Be a pain, in a

good way. Talk to a parent, school

counselor, teachers, friendof the family, minister, youth group leader.

Tell them you want to go to college — and ask them to help.

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Checklist of Activities:8th Grade

1. Push yourself Sign up for the right classes —

Core 40

Take a learning styles assessment to find out how you can achieve more

Focus on your classes and stay on top of homework assignments

2. Find the Right Fit Explore careers

Join clubs, play sports and volunteer

Start thinking about college

3. Put Your Hands on Some Cash Get your Social Security number — you’ll

need it for college financial aid and job applications

Apply for the 21st Century Scholars Program

Do the Ready for the Real World activity

Start thinking about college now

4. Find a Caring Adult To Help Attend your high school’s orientation session

Discuss your future plans with your high school counselor and family

Ask to visit colleges

Bookmark www.learnmoreindiana.org

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Your Future

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More Resources

Learn More Indiana Web site (www.learnmoreindiana.org) E-mail (info@learnmore.org) Help line (1-800-992-2076)

Know How 2 Go Indiana Web site (www.KnowHow2GOIndiana.org)