Mississippi ScholarsMississippi Scholars Tech Master

The Real Skills GapBusiness Roundtable Survey 2009

Pinnacle Sponsors

Mississippi Scholars Curriculum

• 4 Credits of English (I, II are required with two additional English above English II)

• 4 Credits of Math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, 4th year of math of comparable rigor)

• 4 Credits of Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics or lab-based science from approved list, 4th year of comparable rigor, or one Carnegie unit from a CTE course)

• 4 Credits of Social Studies (World Geography, MS Studies, World History, U.S. History, U.S. Government, Economics)

• 1 Credit of Arts (Visual and Performing Arts or 2 units for the completion of the 2 course sequence Computer Graphics Technology I & II)

• 2 Credits of Advanced Electives (Two Foreign Languages or a 5th Math or 5th Science of higher rigor)

www.mississippischolars.ms

Mississippi Scholars Additional Requirements

40 hours of community or volunteer service (4 years) Minimum of 18 ACT composite score (overall score) 2.5 high school GPA 3 letters of recommendation (one from each of the

following-principal, counselor, and business/community leader for student with more than 4 in-school suspensions)

95% school attendance during high school years No out-of school suspension MS Scholars must complete any remaining State-Mandated

high school graduation requirements Advance placement courses may be substituted in MS

Scholar subject areas Dual credit courses are acceptable

Mississippi Scholars Tech Master

The Mississippi Economic Council (MEC), along with an influential group of leaders from some of the state’s largest employers, have joined forces to create a program that will help Mississippi move forward to improve its workforce readiness. The Mississippi Scholars Tech Master program will encourage students to pursue and meet specific standards in a tech-prep course of study. Their achievements will be recognized at graduation, just as the Mississippi Scholars program currently distinguishes those who pursue a college-bound study, with a particular emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Mississippi Scholars Tech Master Additional Requirements

40 hours of community or volunteer service (4 years)Minimum of 18 ACT composite score (overall score) or Minimum 36 ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test) 2.5 high school GPA95% school attendance during high school yearsNo out-of school suspension

Must attain a passing score, as establish by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), on the Mississippi Career Planning and Assessment System (CPAS2) or a passing score on an MDE approved industry certification assessment.Mississippi Scholars Tech Master must complete any remaining State-Mandated high school graduation requirements. Dual credit courses are acceptable.

The Economic Imperative: A high school diploma is no longer enough; now, nearly every good job requires some education beyond high school and all students need to be academically prepared to compete for good jobs in the global economy.

The Equity Imperative: Far too many students drop out or graduate from high school unprepared for success.

The Expectations Imperative: The bar has been set too low for too long, keeping students from reaching their full potential, closing doors and limiting their post-high school options and opportunities.

Let’s take a look at your life.

0 14 70 85

22

Age(yrs.) Average

life expectancy

““working years”working years”

18

Criticalperiod

= 48= 48

What would it be like to have a full-time job right after high school?

What if you were paid $13 per hour? That’s $2,250 a month.

(more than most teenagers earn just out of

high school)

Congratulations. You’re hired!

Starting salary: $13 per hour

$2,250 per month$27,040 per year

(Hey. . . I’m rich!!)

Paying for the “Necessities”

MONTHLY TOTAL: $2,250

Item Expense $$ Federal and State Taxes $360 $1,890Social Security + Medicare $150 $1,740Rent (w/roommate) $400 $1,340Food $300 $1,040Utilities (gas, electric, water) $100 $940Phone Bill $50 $890Personal Items $30 $860Medical/Dental Insurance $100 $760Clothes $65 $695Furniture/TV/Appliances $50 $645

Paying for the “Luxuries”

REMAINING INCOME: $645

Item Expense $$

Car Payment, Insurance, $500$145

Gas, oil, etc.Internet Access/Cable TV $80 $65Entertainment $40

$25Savings $25 $0

$7.25

x 40 hrs/wk

$290.00

x 52 wks/yr

$15,080.00 year

$7.25

x 40 hrs/wk

$290.00

x 52 wks/yr

$15,080.00 year

Unskilled Labor

Unskilled Labor

$12.98

x 40 hrs/wk

$519.23

x 52 wks/yr

$27,000.00 year

$12.98

x 40 hrs/wk

$519.23

x 52 wks/yr

$27,000.00 year

SkilledLabor

SkilledLabor

Comparing the Difference

Did you know that nothing has more impact

on your future income than the amount of education that

you have?

The vast majority of students intend to go on to college and do not expect to drop out of high school:

– 93 percent of middle school students report there is “no chance” they will drop out in high school.

– 94 percent of high school students say that they are planning to continue their education after high school either at a two- or four-year institution.

– 95 percent of teenagers report that graduating from high school is “critical to their future success.”

• The Expectations Imperative

Source: Middle Schools Poll, Prepared for the National Association of Secondary School Principals and Phi Delta Kappa, 2007; Civic Enterprises, The Silent Epidemic: Perspectives of High School Dropouts, 2006; Boys & Girls Clubs of America/Taco Bell Foundation for Teens, Teen Graduation

Crisis Survey, 2009.

Students Overwhelmingly Want to Succeed and Attend College

Source: National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (2008). Student Pipeline - Transition and Completion Rates from 9th Grade to College. http://www.higheredinfo.org

Of every 100 9th graders in Mississippi:

60 graduate high school in four years

46 enroll in college, of these

27 persist in to sophomore year in college, of these

15 earn a college degree

Too Many Students Remain Off Track to Success

• The Expectations Imperative

Let’s talk about it!

Is there a connection between your

education today and your career in the

future???

Develop Workplace Skills

Preparing You for the Future

College & Career Ready

EngagementCompleting HSCompleting PS/ Industry credential

AchievementAcademicOccupationalTechnical

Transition Through School To continuing education To the workplace To a successful adulthood

AcademicMathematics

ScienceCommunicatio

ns

Needs to Build These Skills

Occupational“Core” SkillsEmployability

Skills

Technical Job specific skills valued

by employers

College & Career Ready

More choices for education after high school

More opportunities for good jobs

More money to buy the things you want

More control over your future

Remember, the workforce is changing today. To be prepared for the future, you must prepare NOW.

We want to help you have. . .

Achievement of MS Scholars/MS Scholars Tech Master status will be noted with a seal on your transcript. Colleges and universities will

notice the seal and know that you have taken a rigorous course of study.

Employers may ask for transcripts and look for the seal.

Four-YearCollege/

University

Four-YearCollege/

UniversityWorkforce(Civilian & Military)

Workforce(Civilian & Military)

Two-YearCommunity or Technical

College

Two-YearCommunity or Technical

College

A better LIFE!

You will be prepared for:

You can have a successful future by taking the right steps now to prepare for what you would like to do in the future.

Our business community wants you to succeed!

We stand behind you and want to help you.

You can do it!

www.mississippischolars.ms