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Parent resources
Student Contract (125kb PDF)
Arizona Academic Scholars Overview PP Presentation (2MB MS PowerPoint)
Parents
"According to a recent study conducted for the Governor's P-20 Council, for every 100 students who enter 9th grade in Arizona, only 14% will earn a four-year degree within six years of starting."
Source: Education to Work: Is Arizona Prepared? The Alignment Project Report
Submitted to the Arizona P-20 Council on February 14, 2006
What can you do?
A parent's encouragement and support are essential in helping a student achieve his or her 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 Scholar's course requirements. In this way, parents help ensure that students are prepared for the workforce and higher education upon graduation from high school.
Why should your child become an Arizona Academic Scholar?
Graduating as an Arizona Academic 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 applicant's 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 challenging class more than an A in an easy one. Arizona Academic Scholars receive special recognition for their academic achievements during high school and upon graduation.
Wages
Research conducted by the U.S. Department of Education found that students who complete rigorous academic courses like the Scholars Course of Study enjoy on average a 13.1 percent wage advantage nine years after graduation, an effect that occurred regardless of whether the student attended college or not. (Zucker and Dawson, NCES 2001-168, table 21)
How can I support the Arizona Academic Scholars
  • Volunteer to make a presentation to 8th through 10th graders
  • Provide ongoing incentives for high school Scholar students
  • Recognize high school seniors who graduate with the Arizona Academic Scholars endorsement
Zucker, Brian and Dawson, Royal, Credits and Attainment: Returns to Postsecondary Education Ten Years after High School (NCES 2001 - 168), Table 21.
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State Scholars Initiative logoPR/Award (No. V051U020001)
The work reported herein was supported under the Center for State Scholars Program, PR/Award (No. V051U02001) 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.