Program Overview
Arizona Academic Scholars is an initiative of the Arizona Business & Education Coalition in partnership with the Arizona State Board of Education. Arizona Academic Scholars is a community-wide incentive program designed to motivate more students to complete an academically enriched high school course of study. The result is students who meet or exceed state graduation requirements, develop important workplace skills, and graduate prepared to enter the 21st century workforce and excel in post-secondary education.
Arizona Academic Scholars is not just another school program. It is supported and recognized by the Arizona Business & Education Coalition, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents, the Governor's Office, business partners and school districts throughout the state.
Any school district may become an Arizona Academic Scholars district by having the Superintendent and a business or business organization each sign a letter of commitment indicating their support and partnership in working to encourage students to take the more rigorous Scholars high school course of study in order to better prepare students for future success. Materials in the form of brochure templates, power point presentations and training materials are available upon the establishment of this partnership. Sustainability can be maintained at minimal cost to each community partnership.
Arizona Academic Scholars is open to any student in a participating school district, but it is particularly geared toward the middle 50 percent student who may not otherwise strive to take this level of academic rigor. Scholars is an effort to reduce the high level of remediation found in both 2-year and 4-year Arizona colleges, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful post-secondary completion with less cost to students in terms of time and dollars spent. Students
In your dreams:
Geez, school can be tough. Tests, homework, extra curricular activities – so why not make school work harder for you? Think about it. Dream job. Dream car. Dream bank account. You can get closer to your dream life by taking the steps now to make sure your future will be as amazing as you've imagined.
The nitty-gritty:
So how exactly do you take your high school plan and really kick it into high gear? By becoming an Arizona Academic Scholar. When you follow only the basic high school graduation curriculum you are setting yourself up to be just that: basic. The you-of-the-future is anything but basic! By following our academic plan, you'll develop the skills and knowledge to carry you to your goals.
Ready, Set, Scholar:
How do you become an Arizona Academic Scholar? First, talk to your teachers and family. Let them know you don't want just an education, you want to earn the best education possible. Using the Scholars course of study plan, you'll be a high school graduate and an Arizona Academic Scholar with the skills to follow your dreams.
Parents
In your day:
A high school diploma may have been the ticket to the best jobs and most successful careers, but times are changing. Now, it isn't just getting an education that's important, it's all about what kind of education you get. A rigorous academic plan that pushes your student to his or her fullest potential will not only make them the apple of your eye - but also the apple of the eye of future employers.
My student, the scholar:
The road to becoming a successful student and Arizona Academic Scholar will ultimately be up to each individual student. What can you do? You can encourage them. Challenge them to enroll in more classes with tougher assignments. The path to a bright future can seem pretty bumpy if your student doesn't have your help to guide them along.
Scholarly Pursuits:
High school may be where the seed for a successful future is planted, but post-secondary education is where your student really receives the nourishment they need for their potential to grow. Being an Arizona Academic Scholar ensures your student is even more ready to hammer away at his/her goals. Colleges, universities and even technical schools recognize the value in a more rounded and challenging high school experience. They prefer those students who have pushed themselves to succeed.
Educators
The pressure's on:
From engaging the classroom to fulfilling state and district requirements, teaching has never been more of a juggling act. But you are not alone. Students are facing an academic environment more challenging than ever before. With so many changes happening in schools every day, it seems encouraging students to approach their school work with passion and a drive to succeed has never been more important.
They call it "schoolwork" for a reason:
For many students success is measured only in a letter. As teachers and counselors, it's never been more important to stress the value of a challenging "C" over an easy "A". When a student decides to take a more demanding academic path, they experience a richer education and demonstrate a valuable attitude that will be important to future employers.
Important lessons:
The most important responsibility for any educator is to give students the skills and direction they need for a successful future. Major Arizona employers recognize the Arizona Academic Scholars course of study design when they are looking to hire a qualified workforce. These Scholar requirements push students higher throughout their high school careers, teaching them the work ethic they'll need to be successful in post-secondary education and their future careers.
Businesses
Ready, set, grow:
Finding a good employee can be hard. Finding a great employee is nearly impossible. Drive, determination and a well-rounded base of knowledge are all hot commodities in the professional world. Fortunately, the standards to become an Arizona Academic Scholar parellel these principles. This means employers can look in their own backyard to find qualified, eager workers while supporting the local job market.
All aboard:
Employers can rest assured that the Scholars program strategically and effectively keeps students on the path toward post-secondary education success. The Scholars Initiative has shown an increased number of students completing a rigorous course of study, as well as a higher number enrolling in more difficult courses. The Arizona Academic Scholar is not just coasting through - they are driving forward.
Winning Team:
The Arizona Academic Scholars Initiative helps lead students to victory. It's supported and recognized by the Arizona Business & Education Coalition, the State Board of Education, the Board of Regents, the governor's office, business partners and school districts throughout the state. And of course, we welcome more. The more the merrier!
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Academic Competitiveness Grant:Students who graduate as Arizona Academic Scholars and are eligible for a Pell grant, may also be eligible for the Academic Competitiveness Grant which includes additional funding for post-secondary education.
Cha-Ching: Did you know that a college graduate generally makes almost $1,000,000 more in their career span compared to a high school graduate? Crystal Ball: It's like looking into the future! The strongest predictor of you completing college is a rigorous and challenging high school experience. Easy as ABC: While grade-point-average is important, a high one doesn't always mean you’re prepared for higher education. Remember, a challenging "C" is sometimes more valuable then an easy "A".
Ready, set, hold on: Only 1 in 4 Arizona graduates meet all four college readiness benchmarks in English, Math, Reading and Science. Back to school: 63 percent of students in two-year post-secondary institutions and 42 percent of students in four-year post-secondary institutions require remediation. All this comes at an increase in time and money. 98 percent of new jobs in Arizona that pay above the median wage will require some post- secondary education.
Out of the pan and into the workforce: 85 percent of projected new jobs will require post-secondary education and work experience, suggesting that high school graduates need to be both college and career bound. Glass half full: Targeted at the middle 50 percent of students, Arizona Academic Scholars provides new perspectives and skills for those preparing to enter the real world. The next step: 98.4 percent of new jobs in Arizona that pay above the median wage will require some post-secondary education.
In Good Company: A number of business coalitions have joined in supporting the State Scholars Initiative. 63 percent of students in two-year post-secondary institutions and 42 percent of students in four-year post- secondary institutions require remediation. All this comes at an increase in time and money.
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